SUNLU FC01 Filament Connector: Filament Splicing Made Easy

QIDI PLUS4 3D Printer, Max 600mm/s High-Speed Printing, 65℃ Chamber Heat, Fully Auto Leveling, 370°C Direct Extruder with Integrated Nozzle, Support PPS-CF Filaments, Large Print Size 12"x12"x11"

$849.00 (as of October 1, 2024 14:54 GMT +00:00 - )

Do you often find yourself with partially-used spools of filament when 3D printing? The SUNLU FC01 Filament Connector might just be the solution you need! This compact, user-friendly device lets you splice together those leftover pieces of filament, turning them into continuous, usable lengths. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this filament connector a worthwhile addition to your 3D printing toolkit.

Table of Contents

SUNLU FC01 Filament Connector: Filament Splicing Made Easy

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Introduction to the SUNLU FC01 Filament Connector

The SUNLU FC01 Filament Connector addresses an all-too-common problem for 3D printing enthusiasts: leftover filament that’s too long to throw away but too short to use effectively. By allowing you to join filament scraps and samples, the FC01 ensures you make the most of your materials. Although it has a few quirks, it performs well overall and is a valuable purchase for many users.

Unlike high-end printers like the Bambu Lab X1-Carbon, which can run down spools and switch between them automatically (albeit only four at a time and needing pre-installed spools), the SUNLU FC01 offers a more flexible, cost-effective solution. Available for pre-sale at $34.99, this device is an inexpensive way to maximize your filament use.

Specifications

The SUNLU FC01 is designed to splice together 1.75mm filaments, including PLA, ABS, PETG, PCL, PA, and PC types. It does this by melting and fusing the ends of the filaments together, which you can then use as a single continuous strand for your 3D printing projects. The price typically ranges from $35 to $45.

Specification	Detail
Filament Types	PLA, ABS, PETG, PCL, PA, and PC
Filament Diameter	1.75mm
Price Range	$35 – $45

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Included Accessories

When you purchase the SUNLU FC01, you’ll get a USB power cord, a bag containing approximately 200 PTFE sleeves, and a printed instruction manual. The unit’s design is compact and user-friendly, with a top plastic lid that keeps the heated area protected. Moreover, the recessed PTFE sleeve cutter blade is functional but safely concealed.

Splicing Filament with SUNLU FC01

The process of splicing filament using the FC01 is straightforward yet effective. Start by cutting both ends of the filament at an angle, increasing the surface area for a secure join. Place a PTFE sleeve over the joint, then use the heated area of the FC01 to fuse the filaments together.

The unit’s touchscreen interface allows you to select the filament type and adjust the setpoint temperature. Typically, the device takes about three minutes to heat up to the PLA temperature using the included USB power cord. During the heating and cooling phases, the unit will beep to alert you, so you don’t have to worry about constantly monitoring it.

One thing to note is that the filament is quite malleable immediately after heating. You’ll need to handle it carefully to avoid creating undesirable curves or distortions in the filament.

Removing the PTFE Sleeve

After the splicing is complete and the filament has cooled, you can remove the PTFE sleeve using the integrated cutting blade at the back of the unit. The fixture holds the filament in place during this step. Because the sleeve has a perforation, it can be easily peeled off.

Printing with Spliced Filament

The FC01 isn’t only suitable for joining large spools; it’s also useful for combining individual scraps or short lengths of filament. You can create a continuous filament from various samples or leftovers, allowing you to use every last bit of your material.

For instance, I combined four scraps of different PLA filaments (Elegoo Grey, Prusament Ms. Pink, Bambu Lab Basic Green, and Sliceworx Matte Gradient Aquarius), resulting in a total weight of 24 grams. Using BambuStudio, I scaled a 3DBenchy model to match the estimated filament consumption.

This combined filament fed directly into a Bambu Lab X1-Carbon printer without any issues. The X1-Carbon transitioned smoothly from one filament type to the next, and the final print exhibited firmly adhered layers without weak points or soft connections. This experience suggests that the FC01 is versatile and reliable for producing usable filament from scraps.

Efficiency and Waste Management

While the FC01 promotes efficient use of leftover filaments, it’s important to note that the PTFE sleeves are consumable items. Each sleeve is used once and then disposed of, somewhat contradicting SUNLU’s goal of achieving “efficient printing projects with zero waste.” The device comes with about 200 PTFE sleeves, sufficient for quite a few splices, but eventually, you will need to purchase or create new sleeves.

Filament Splicers Comparison

Here’s a quick comparison of some features of popular filament splicers:

Feature	SUNLU FC01	XYZPrinting Splicer	Generic Splicer
Price Range	$35 – $45	$50 – $60	$20 – $30
Supported Filaments	PLA, ABS, PETG, PCL	PLA, ABS	PLA, ABS
PTFE Sleeves	Yes, 200 included	No	No
User Interface	Touchscreen Display	Manual	Manual

The SUNLU FC01 stands out for its user-friendly interface and included PTFE sleeves, although it is slightly more expensive than generic splicers.

Conclusion and Pros & Cons

To wrap up, the SUNLU FC01 Filament Connector provides an effective solution for splicing leftover filament, making it an excellent addition to any 3D printing setup. It’s reasonably priced, easy to use, and handles various filament types. However, keep in mind the necessity of the consumable PTFE sleeves.

Pros

User-friendly touchscreen interface
Multi-filament compatibility
Compact and safe design
Comes with essential accessories, including PTFE sleeves

Cons

PTFE sleeves are consumable and will eventually need to be replaced
Splicing filament can be tricky and may require a bit of practice
Manual winding of filament spools can be cumbersome

The SUNLU FC01 is now available for pre-sale at $34.99, with U.S. orders shipping between September 13-30th and European orders set for staggered batches in October and November. If you’re looking for an efficient way to utilize your filament scraps and leftover spools, this could be the perfect tool for you.

For more information or to place an order, visit the Official Website.

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