AON3D Readyprint™ High Impact PolyStyrene (HIPS) is a recycled thermoplastic used in additive manufacturing as support material for commodity polymers. HIPS has good impact resistance and can be used to manufacture packaging and household appliances. HIPS should be used either as a breakaway support or a soluble support which can be dissolved in D-Limonene. HIPS complies with RoHS and REACH standards.
Printing Difficulty: Easy/Beginner
Readyprint™ HIPS can be purchased from AON3D directly by contacting help@aon3d.com.
Readyprint™ HIPS is factory pre-dried and should be installed in the Filament Dry Storage and Feed System prior to printing to prevent moisture uptake and minimize the impact of moisture on the printing process. In ambient air, HIPS is mildly susceptible to hydration. It will generally remain printable, but surface finish and seam quality will suffer after prolonged exposure.
If the filament is hydrated, dry filament at 60ºC for 2-4 hours in a convection oven. Ensure drying equipment respects our site requirements to ensure adequate drying performance is achieved. Store filament in air-tight bags or containers alongside silica or zeolite desiccant. Be sure to replace desiccant regularly as its moisture capture ability is exhausted.
For more information, see the Filament Drying and Moisture Control page.
For instructions on how to inspect the AON3D build plates, refer to the Clean Build Platform and Build Chamber procedure for AON M2+ or the Inspect and Clean Build Plates procedure for AON-M2 and AON-M2 2020.
HIPS prints best on the PEI build sheet as it exhibits great adhesion behavior at moderate cost and improved durability over PC sheets. The PEI film is sensitive to Z offset calibration and thermal stability of the printer system. For best results, ensure that the machine has reached thermal equilibrium before calibrating. If the bed-to-nozzle distance is too small, or the first layer is too hot, the part may be difficult to remove without damaging the part and/or build sheet.
HIPS prints well on the Garolite G-10 build sheet due to strong adhesion behavior while at recommended bed temperatures and clean removal once the build sheet is cooled down. The G-10 surface is sensitive to Z offset calibration and scratches or scuffs on the surface. For the best results, use a lower first layer speed, a higher the first layer extrusion temperature, and remove the parts gently after prints are complete to minimize damage on the build surface.
HIPS prints well on CF-PEEK Composite Plate build sheet as it exhibits great adhesion behavior while hot and clean removal after cooling down. The CF-PEEK composite plate is sensitive to Z offset calibration and thermal stability of the printer system. For best results, reduce the First Layer Speed, increase the first layer extrusion temperature, or increase bed temperature.
For best results, process settings should be adjusted based on a particular model geometry. If you require process development support, our Applications Engineering team can help! Send us a message at help@aon3d.com to consult with one of our Additive Manufacturing Specialists.
| Setting | AON M2+ |
|---|---|
| Extrusion Temperature | 220-260ºC |
| Bed Temperature | 90-95ºC |
| Chamber Temperature | 50-80ºC |
| Print Speed | 40-100 mm/s |
| Nozzle Size | 0.25-1.20 mm |
| Preferred Build Platform | PEI Build Sheet |
The FFF material profiles to print HIPS as a support material can be found in the model material page:
Allow all machine components to reach room temperature before proceeding further. Failure to allow components to cool down will result in thermal injury (burns) to personnel.
HIPS support can be removed by hand or using pliers to carefully breakaway support from the model material. Make sure the printed pillars are carefully snapped off to prevent damage to the model. If the HIPS is unable to separate from the model material, the Z offset calibration between the toolheads may need adjusting. Follow the standard operating procedures for Using Supports and Support Materials and Dual Extrusion to ensure good quality and repeatability with HIPS support.