PVA is a support material that dissolves in water, and it is the reason dual extrusion is worth having. Print the part in PLA and its supports in PVA, drop the finished print in a tub of water, and the supports simply disappear - leaving clean surfaces inside cavities and under overhangs that no amount of careful snapping and sanding would achieve.
Specifications:
- 750g spool, natural
- 2.85mm diameter - for UltiMaker S series printers
- Water-soluble - no solvents or tools needed
- Print profiles built into UltiMaker Cura
This needs a dual-extrusion printer. PVA is printed alongside a build material in the second extruder, so it only works on an UltiMaker S series machine with two print cores loaded. It is not a material you print on its own.
What it makes possible in teaching:
- Students can design internal channels, enclosed cavities and steep overhangs without designing around the limits of the printer
- It removes the manual support-removal step, which is where student prints usually get damaged
- It makes the point that manufacturing constraints shape design - and that removing a constraint changes what you can draw
Keep it dry. PVA is water-soluble, which means it takes moisture straight out of humid air. Store it sealed with desiccant, and it will print reliably for a long time.
Pairs with PLA for most work. Supplied to order, so stock is not held locally. Schools, TAFEs, universities and government institutions can order on a purchase order. See all UltiMaker printers and materials.
