PLA Filament - What Is It And What's It Used For? Fused deposition modeling, a technology which is used to make models and prototypes of practically any size and shape, requires PLA filament. It comes in a reel similar to a thread bobbin, and it is made to be used in special 3D printers just for this purpose. It is applied in layers as it is unwound from the coil using an extrusion nozzle which heats the material and places it just where it is required to produce the required shape. The model material solidifies immediately after it leaves the nozzle and the model layout is entered into a computer using CAM, a manufacturing software program. A printer that in essence "prints" a 3D object that has been created on the computer is the final result. This is very advanced stuff. There are a number of types of filament used in 3D printer manufacturing. PLA and ABS filaments are the most widely used. ABS is extruded at a somewhat higher temperature and is commonly less brittle than standard PLA, but it sticks best when applied to polyimide tape. PLA filament, on the other hand, adheres very well to numerous surfaces and can provide finer detail on a good machine. PLA also has a more pleasant scent when being extruded, in comparison with ABS which most people say has really unpleasant fumes when utilized in a closed area. This is most likely due to the fact that PLA is made from corn starch or sugar. This feature also means that it is biodegradable, which makes it the most environmentally friendly of the numerous filament types. The choice of ABS or PLA filament depends upon such factors as individual preference, individual needs as well as, the kind of 3D printer machine you have. The additional feature of 3D printer filaments is the size, or diameter. These vary dependent upon which supplier you use and even within the same coil, the exact diameter of the filament may vary. However, the general guideline is that if you purchase 3mm filament, the maximum diameter of the filament will be 3mm, and it may be as thin as 2.88mm in certain places. Another concern with some filaments is that they may contain lumps along the coiled material. This can cause jamming of your printer, and can be avoided by choosing a dependable supplier that continually produces top quality filament. Range of colors, from subdued hues like grey and silver, to bright and fun color such as yellow and orange as well as uncommon colors like glow in the dark green is an advantage of PLA filament. It also is offered in two different versions: rigid and flexible. The rigid variation is stronger than even ABS, and the flexible version is rubbery. The kind of model you are producing and what you want it to be like determines the type you pick. Depending on the type of 3D object you are making, you can use a water-soluble temporary support made from a material such as PVA to keep the prototype in place while it is being “printed�. These support materials are purposefully dissolvable with sodium hydroxide so they can be removed when the manufacturing process is over. Since fused deposition modeling hit the market back in the 1990s, it has gained considerable popularity even though it may seem like the stuff of sci-fi. The cost of the machines has decreased considerably recently because of their increased usage. It is used in many industries including jewelry, shoes, construction, engineering, dental and medical, and will be certain to stay around in the future.
MatterHackers Inc
Page 1
PLA Filament - What Is It And What's It Used For? All essential sizes and hues associated with pla filament is available via MatterHackers. Additional details on MatterHackers are attainable on the business' web site, matterhackers.com.
Document Tags: 1.75mm pla filament, black pla filament, pla filaments http://www.matterhackers.com/
MatterHackers Inc
Page 2