3D printing of light-weight PLA parts

LW-PLA is the first filament of its kind to use active foam technology to create lightweight, low-density PLA parts. At around 230 ° C, the material begins to foam and increases its volume by almost three times.

Users can reduce material flow by 65% to achieve lighter parts, or use the expansion properties to effectively reduce printing time by using large layer heights or individual extra-thick perimeters.

Active foam technology, how does it work?

The most important input variables for controlling the expansion are speed, temperature and flow. This allows users to vary the density of the material for different parts of the model.

ColorFabb uses the following 4 step process to determine the maximum expansion at a given speed, temperature and flow.

1. Print the cubes at a set speed at temperatures between 200 ° C and 280 ° C
2. Measure the circumferential thickness of each cube and record the temperature with the greatest expansion.
3. Print cubes in decreasing flow steps with the temperature specified in step 2.
4. Find the cube where the circumference thickness equals the nozzle size.

Up to 65% weight reduction.

Because of the stretch properties of the material, users can reduce flow while still printing true-to-size models. Users can achieve a weight reduction of 65% compared to conventional PLA.

3D print more.

Decreasing flow means less filament. This means that two to three times as many parts can be printed with LW-PLA as with a normal PLA spool.

Excellent surface quality.

LW-PLA prints with a fantastic matt surface and is very easy to post-process.