Frequently asked questions

• Nozzle temperature: 220-250°C 
• Build plate temperature: 50-70°C
• Chamber temperature: No heated chamber necessary.
• Print speed: 10-50 mm/s.
• Layer height 0.2 mm 
• Infill pattern: gyroid 
• Infill percent: 10-80%

After printing, parts must undergo a hot water soak in order to both remove the soluble component and create open pores. Dissolve printed parts in water at 70°C for at least 8 hours, changing the water every four hours. Parts containing regions thicker than 2 mm may require a longer soak. Parts should be submerged completely as they will float as dissolution proceeds. After dissolution, rinse parts with clean water and dry at 60°C for 6 hours to remove any remaining water.

Because it’s partially composed of water-soluble material, Caverna ST may absorb moisture. Always store your filament in the resealable bag it arrives in and ensure that it is sealed after each use.

The metal bag should contain a desiccant. Don’t throw it out, and consider adding another desiccant if available for additional moisture protection. 

Never expose the desiccant to moisture. Otherwise, you’ll need to replace it.

If Caverna ST absorbs moisture while in storage, print quality will decrease. If that happens, dry at 70°C in a low-humidity environment for three to four hours. 

Never store Caverna ST on the back or side of the printer.

Caverna ST has a manufacturer’s warranty of one (1) year when properly stored. To extend your filament’s shelf life well beyond the one-year warranty period, use these storage techniques:

• Always store your filament in the resealable metalized bag it arrives in.
• Retain the desiccant provided in the resealable bag.
• If the desiccant is exposed to moisture, replace it. 
• Place additional desiccants in the resealable bag if possible.

Caverna ST is compatible with polypropylene (PP) as well as AquaSys® GP and AquaSys® 120 water-soluble support materials.

Caverna ST works best with thin-walled parts. Open infills are necessary (e.g., Gyroid) to allow water to flow inside of the part reaching all surfaces during dissolution.

• The material could be dragging or caught in the system. Check the feed path to make sure any drag is minimized.
• Your nozzle could be dirty or clogged. Inspect it and clean it if necessary.
• Check your extrusion temperature. It could be too low, leading to under-extrusion.

This could be happening due to one of the following reasons:

• Your filament could have absorbed moisture, leading to foaming which causes material drag. Dry it at 70°C for three to four hours. 
• Your nozzle could be dirty. We recommend cleaning it with a brass brush.
• Check your extrusion temperature — charring can become noticeable at 260°C.

• Quick fixes: Reduce your printer speed, increase temperatures, or check your printer software for specific recommendations.
• Caverna ST adheres to glass build plates. Use an adhesive designed for polypropylene (PP). If adhesion is still a problem, increase the build plate temperature up to 70°C.
• Bubbles in filament typically are a sign of moisture, which may result in poor adhesion.

Print parameters:

• Nozzle temperature: 220-250°C
• Build plate temperature: 50-70°C 
• Chamber temperature: No heated chamber necessary.

If a printed part is melting or sagging:

• Increase your fan speed. 
• Decrease the nozzle temperature.
• Retract the filament when not printing to reduce “tails” or “wisps,” using the retraction settings specific to your machine.

Caverna ST releases best at room temperature. Allow the build plate to completely cool down before attempting to remove your part.

Depending on your print complexity, you should inspect for:

• Quality of surface finish 
• No warping

Access our Safety Data Sheet here.

Access our Technical Data Sheet here.

The best way to measure this is to compare the mass of a part before and after the post-print water soak. Be sure to also fully dry your part after the water soak to remove any residual water. When fully dissolved, Caverna prints should weigh 50% or less of their as-printed weight.

As dissolution occurs, Caverna will also turn white as the pores become open. This color change alone is not an indication that dissolution is complete. While the exterior surfaces may turn white first, there may still be incomplete dissolution in interior portions of the part. The mass loss measurement described above is the best way to determine complete dissolution.

No, Caverna’s pores are much too small to see with the eye. The best way to see the pores is through the use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Caverna ST does print rigid parts. It’s only after the post-print water soak that Caverna ST becomes soft and compliant. Follow the recommended water soak instructions and your part will become soft.