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What is PLA Filament for 3D Printers?
It is a filament for 3D printers, a thermoplastic polymer derived from natural resources. It is one of the simplest filaments to use when entering the world of 3D printing as it does not require much configuration to achieve good results in printed parts. It is often used for prototyping or creating collectible/exhibition pieces.
We can find different weights and diameters (for printers of 1.75mm or 2.85mm).
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using PLA Filament in Your 3D Printer
- Provides the 3D printed piece with:
o No unpleasant odors
o Rigidity.
o Good dimensional accuracy.
o Good lifespan.
- Disadvantages:
o Low heat resistance.
o May ooze and may require cooling fans.
o The filament can become brittle and break.
o Not suitable for outdoor use.
How to Print with PLA Filament on My 3D Printer?
Keep in mind that PLA is a filament very easy to pigment, which is why we find a rich and varied range of colors. Apart from each manufacturer recommending certain values, there are variations within different shades. But in general, we recommend:
- Melting temperature: 190 – 220 ºC
- Hotbed temperature: although not necessary, 45 - 60 ºC
- Layer fan: Yes
- Printing speed: 40 – 60 mm/s
If you want to know more about PLA filament, click here
What to Know Before Buying PLA Filament?
What we have to think about is what we want to print. It's always the question we have to ask ourselves. We have to think about the purpose of the 3D piece and what we are going to do with it. If we choose to print with PLA, we know that our printing will be easier than using other plastics or materials. We won't have problems if our 3D printer doesn't have a heated bed.
PLA filament is suitable for producing pieces that do not require mechanical properties, that do not have to withstand force or weight.
Once you have it clear, if you choose PLA plastic for your 3D printer, you may find it interesting to know that there are different types of PLA filament.
- Basic PLA Filament - a wide variety of colors can be found, including pastels, ideal for certain custom projects.
- Crystal PLA Filament - if you want to create 3D pieces or objects with a translucent appearance or a glass-like feel, this is your PLA filament.
- Glitter PLA Filament - a PLA that is in high demand for its shiny finish and color changes depending on how the light hits the piece. This filament is appreciated for its metallic appearance with glitter, which conceals the layers of the 3D piece.
- Glow PLA Filament – we love this type of filament. Whether to celebrate Halloween or give our pieces a different touch. This PLA is manufactured to contain photoluminescent particles that absorb light. In the Glow blue variant, luminosity and glow time are increased.
- E. P. PLA Filament – Designed for architecture or layout projects. It is a PLA that has been designed to be easily sanded with water sandpaper, providing ceramic and smooth finishes. It's amazing.
- Wood PLA Filament – If you want to achieve a 3D piece with a wood-like appearance, this is your 3D filament. Keep in mind that, depending on the brand, the filament will have more or fewer wood particles, and this can clog the nozzle of your 3D printer, so proper cleaning is important.
- PLA 3D 850 and 870 Filament - Natureworks is one of the most important pellet manufacturers in the sector. This manufacturer has designed specific PLA pellets to be easily used in 3D printers but with better properties than PLA. PLA 850, or the superior PLA 870, give 3D pieces better heat resistance and greater impact resistance. So we find the ease of printing that PLA gives us with some of the characteristics that we always miss from ABS.
- Sustainable or recycled PLA filaments - this range of PLA threads comes from recycling other materials or waste that is discarded while trying not to lose the plastic's technical properties.
What are the most outstanding PLA filament brands for my 3D printer in the Spanish market?
There are many brands and varieties: Eolas, Sakata, Winkle, and Smart Materials. We work with the latter three since they are the most demanded by users:
- Smart Materials has its factory in Jaén. Their plastics are very reliable. It is a company that has a wide variety of PLA filaments, in colors and types (Iris, Glitter, Glow, Crystal, E.P, 850, 870, Silk or silk). This manufacturer also researches and releases many technical filaments to the market.
- Sakata has its factory in Granada. Like Smart Materials, it has a wide variety of PLA filaments. Beautiful colors and shades can be found, as well as different types of PLA (go&print, texture, glass, etc.).
- Winkle, based in Salamanca, this Spanish company is the evolution of the old Alls colours. It has also exploited PLA material by offering us translucent and shiny PLA in very nice colors.
What prices and weights do PLA filaments for 3D printers have?
The price range ranges from €9.75 (330 grams) to €21.50 (one kilogram) for basic PLA.
Weights range from: 330 / 500 / 750 grams (depending on the manufacturer) up to the kilo, 3 / 5 / 8 kilograms.
The price almost always depends on the quality of the PLA material, the manufacturing processes it has undergone, and safety and certification tests.
Why is it important to buy good PLA filament for your 3D printer?
The reasons are simple and easy to summarize, but basically, it is to save you headaches.
- Filament failures: this leads to the result of your 3D printed piece being defective. Common filament failures include varying diameter thickness (creating jams). Poor control of pigments can make the nozzle of our 3D printer (or nozzle) very dirty.
- Printer breakdown: When the filament thickness is greater, the filament gets stuck in the extruder and is not always easy to solve. The jam, depending on its duration and whether we caught it in time (prints are often long, and we are not always next to our 3D printer), can cause other components of the printer to suffer (the motor heats up), the bed becomes uncalibrated, the thermistor, etc.
One disadvantage of buying good PLA filament for your 3D printer: the price is usually higher (although in the long run, a new printer or repair components are worth more than the extra amount you pay for lower-quality filament).
How to store PLA filaments?
PLA filament absorbs moisture and is sensitive to temperature. It is recommended to store it in a dry place away from sunlight. After use, it is advisable to store it in a tightly sealed box or bag.
What can we print with PLA filament on our 3D printer?
Although PLA filament is increasingly improved for use in our machines, the truth is that if it is not PLA 870, we will not get impact-resistant filament. It will be an economical but more brittle filament.
If we want to print pieces that do not require mechanical resistance (such as nuts or screws) and are more decorative in use, this is the filament your 3D printer needs.
What colors can we find for printing with PLA on our 3D printer?
PLA filament is an easy-to-pigment plastic, as we discussed in our post. This allows us to play with many components and achieve many results with different shades. For example:
- Black: basic black, 870 black, or glitter black. Glitter black (glitter - Smart materials) - Magic coal (sakata).
- White: Basic white (ivory white) or snow (whiter white), nacre, ivory, pearl...
- Red: Intense red, interference red, mahogany red, translucent red (crystal), wine red, silk red, glitter red...
- Blue: Dark blue, light blue, interference blue, glitter blue, pastel blue, iridescent blue, glow in the dark blue...
- Yellow: Yellow, canary yellow, pastel yellow (vanilla), silk yellow, translucent yellow