Anycubic i3 Mega Filament Guide
The Anycubic i3 Mega is one of our favorite budget 3D printers. Not only is it easy to use, loaded with useful features, and built like a tank, but it’s even capable of printing in PLA, ABS, HIPS, and Wood filament. Be aware, however, that the Anycubic i3 Mega’s maximum extruder temperature is 220C. This means you should only choose filaments which print below this temperature. To help make your task a little easier, this Anycubic i3 Mega Filament Guide walks you through our recommendations for each type of filament.
PLA
Biodegradable and non-toxic, PLA is the filament of choice for most people. Extruding at temperatures between ~190-230C, PLA does not require a heated print bed to successfully adhere to the build plate. If you choose to use a heated print bed, PLA adhere best at temperatures between 60C and 80C.
The best thing about PLA is how versatile it is. PLA is used to make wood, metal, glow-in-the-dark, and many other hybrid filaments.
Properties
- Medium strength and durability
- Fairly brittle
- Easy to work with
- Non-toxic with a pleasant smell
Best PLA for the Anycubic i3 Mega: Hatchbox
Budget PLA for the Anycubic i3 Mega: Solutech
ABS
ABS is often used when printing working prototypes or functional parts. That’s because it’s a bit more flexible and durable than PLA, and can better withstand sunlight and moisture exposure. ABS prints at pretty high temperatures around 210-250C, and requires a heated print bed at around 60-110C.
Properties
- Highly durable and impact resistant
- More flexible than PLA
- Can sometimes be tricky to print with
- Strong chemical odor
Best ABS for the Anycubic i3 Mega: Hatchbox
Budget ABS for the Anycubic i3 Mega: 3DRAX
Wood
People love using wood filament because it looks, smells, and reacts just like wood. You can even stain wood filament to make it look more like natural wood. The uses are endless, and the good news is that wood filament is easy to work with, requiring a low 190-220C extrusion temperature and no heated print bed for excellent results.
Properties
- Looks and feels like natural wood
- Medium strength and durability
- Low flexibility
- Easy to use
Recommended Wood Filament for the Anycubic i3 Mega: Hatchbox
HIPS (support)
HIPS is a support filament that can be dissolved in Limonene to reveal your completed model. This support filament is usually used with ABS since they both require similar extrusion and print bed temperatures. Extrude HIPS at between 210-250C on a print bed at 60-110C, like ABS.
Recommended HIPS for the Anycubic i3 Mega: Gizmo Dorks
