Does anybody know (first hand experience is a plus) what the most flexible filament type is ?
I have some flex-pla, but was looking for some alternatives (ie, even more flexible).
To give some context: I need to print flexible parts which need to be rotated/twisted at least 90 degrees with cheap hobby servos.
Thanks in advance!
@Mark_Moissette_ckaos i haven’t tried flexible PLA so I can’t compare but I’d like to think Bendlay is fairly flexible and then there’s Nylon which also quite flexible. But I guess it’s always depending on the shape of the print as well…
@Daniel_Noree thanks for the quick reply !
Blendlay did seem to be interesting but judging by this image at least http://3druck.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Orbi-Tech-BendLay-Filament-Vergleich.jpg , it seems flex/softPLA is more flexible (strangely that does not correspond to what I heard people say about those two filaments).
The issue is also that most info on flexible filament seem to concentrate more on compression and not torsion (I need the later).
As far as the shape of the print : it is for “fish fin” like parts : so a fixed base, while the fin itself rotates (hence torsion)
@Mark_Moissette_ckaos Is there a lot of movement? Will the parts wear out over time? I´m not sure it´s right for this case but wont Nylon withstand a long term wear better than the above?
See these to projects:
Nylon Cable Tie: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:132916
RC Shocks: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:135209
Print part, vacform mold, cast oogoo?
@Daniel_Noree hmm a good amount of movement but nothing brutal, these would be used for directional “ruders” so any time the bot would need to change directions (up/down), they would need to flex.
Thanks for the links (those RC shocks are very impressive, nice work btw:)) Perhaps Nylon could do the trick, although I am afraid at how fast any printed material would determinate/deteriorate.
@Qitian_Dasheng_Sun_W that would be a possibility yes (I was thinking more of using silicone once I would have a mold), but I have no vacform, and I kinda want to test how far I can push 3d printed parts.
@Andrew_Hodel thanks 
I actually checked out your videos a while back when I first thought about using flex PLA , very nice It seems like it would be flexible enough (also, I generally prefer PLA which is a plus) , might order some small amounts to see if it fits the bill.
I’d second the Nylon suggestion. Printed with few enough shells it can become extremely malleable, and when printed at the right temperature you’re more likely to get a cross-layer tear than delamination based on my destructive experiences.
you can also try carberetor cleaner on PLA to make it flexible
Just something i found on thingiverse.
(I didn’t test it because i’m still saving money for my first 3d printer)
@Stephen_Baird thanks for the info, I’ll give Nylon a try, if I have time, might do a comparative test between flex pla and Nylon with repetitive testing to see how they both fare.
(Destructive experiences sound like fun
@Frank_Opmeer thanks for that ! Although I doubt i will try that one, as I am not really equipped to handle chemicals safely at home (small kid).
@Bruce_Jackson1 That seems really interesting (as you also twist the model in the video), but the link to the actual filament in your store seems dead ? (tried searching manually with no success as well)
@Mark_Moissette_ckaos - Have you seen this post relating flexible links:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/112752598733590168873/posts/SiGXWVCpcfG
@Henrik_Peiss woops totally missed your post !
While not directly applicable to what I had in mind, that is a great solution for other types of flexible joints ! , very nice , bookmarked thanks !
@Mark_Moissette_ckaos Apparently MakerBot is working on some sort of flexible filament aswell… http://store.makerbot.com/flexible-filament.html?utm_source=wordpress&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=bitontidress_09062013