AquaSys® GP

Starting at: $70

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AquaSys® GP

Starting at: $70

Frequently asked questions

AquaSys GP is a high-performance general purpose support material that is a direct replacement for PVA. Whether you’re a hobbyist or professional, our material delivers on your needs with high performance and ease of use. Please read below to find answers for common questions we hear about usage, storage, compatibility, or troubleshooting.

General Usage

  • Nozzle temperature: 225-255°C
  • Build plate requirements: Glass build plate. If poor adhesion is persistent, increase the temperature of the build plate, but not past the maximum build plate temperature of 60°C. Minimum of 40°C. Standard build plate adhesives are compatible.

 

  • Make sure your print nozzle is off (if it doesn’t turn off automatically).
  • Remove the AquaSys material from any sustained high temperature.
  • Fix your set back temperature to 185°C, the correct nozzle temperature when not printing a layer. This increases the residence time before degradation occurs in the nozzle.
  • If you print in a humid environment, use a drying system to prevent moisture-related issues. (We recommend PrintDry or Ultimaker drying systems.) 

 

 

  • Place your printed object in a wash tank or bucket with room temperature tap water.
  • Use agitation (stir, shake, etc.) to make AquaSys GP dissolve faster.

 

 

  • As a water-soluble material, AquaSys tends to absorb moisture. Always store your filament in the resealable bag it arrives in, and double-check that you’ve completely sealed the bags 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 AquaSys absorbs moisture while in storage, you’ll notice the color of the printed filament will be cloudy, instead of translucent gold. If that happens, dry at 50°C for 3 – 4 hours.
  • Never store AquaSys on the back or side of the printer.

 

AquaSys 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 AquaSys in the resealable metalized bag it arrives in.
  • Don’t throw away 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.

 

Compatibility

AquaSys General Purpose is currently approved for use with Ultimaker S5 and S3. We’re currently testing its compatibility with machines from BCN and Makerbot.

AquaSys General Purpose is compatible with PLA, PET, PETG.

AquaSys provides stable support to complex designs, even those with features like cavities, voids, angles over 45 degrees, or intricate internal details.

Troubleshooting

Yes, typical parts might have slight charring when using the General Purpose Profile. This has not shown to affect dissolution.

 

  • The AquaSys material could be dragged 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. * If nozzle is clogged, this could be due to high extrusion temperature. Lower temperature and unclog tip by manually forcing material through the extruder.
  • 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 50°C for 3-4 hours.
  • Your nozzle could be dirty. We recommend cleaning it with a brass brush.
  • Charring typically occurs at 255°C or higher—so check your extrusion temperature.

 

  • Quick fixes: Reduce your printer speed, increase temperatures, or check your printer software for specific recommendations.
  • General Purpose should adhere to a wide range of build plate materials. If poor adhesion is persistent, increase the temperature of the build plate, but never exceed 60°C. Standard build plate adhesives are complatible as well.
  • Make sure that the material is dry. Wet filament may lose adhesion properties.
  • Make sure your print parameters fit within the following:
    - Nozzle temperature: 225-255°C
    - Bed temperature: 40C-60°C
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.

Tips And Tricks

Monitor the print process periodically to make sure there are no visible issues. When material begins printing, it should appear as a golden extrusion with:

 

  • No bubbles
  • Good layer adhesion to itself and the build material
  • No warping 

 

AquaSys 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
  • Material-to-material adhesion

 

Still have questions? We are here to help.