3D Printed PLA
RAPID PROTOTYPING & SMALL BATCH PRODUCTION
Rapid prototyping serves as an invaluable tool for businesses aiming to swiftly iterate and test their product designs, enabling them to refine concepts and identify improvements efficiently. For small batch production runs, 3D printing technologies (FDM) and (SLS) provide a cost-effective and agile solution, enabling companies to produce limited quantities of customized components or products without the need for expensive tooling or lengthy setup times
Fused Deposition Modeling
or FDM 3D Printing
FDM printers work by heating a thermoplastic filament to its melting point and then extruding it, layer by layer, to create a three dimensional object.
FDM printers are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, making them a popular choice for home and small-scale 3D printing
Stereolithography (SLA)
Stereolithography works by using a photopolymer resin that is cured by exposure to light.
The machine traces out the desired geometry layer by layer using a computer-controlled moving laser beam.
The beam is directed by mirrors that are positioned around the build platform.
CAD DESIGN & REVERSE ENGINEERING
When it comes to certain projects, a computer-aided design, or CAD, can be extremely beneficial. A main advantage to using CAD is the fact that it provides experts with greater accuracy. This is done by replacing manual drafting with electronic design software, such as SketchUp, Fusion 360, or AutoCAD Design Edition.
SOME INFOMATION ABOUT THE MATERIAL
PLA, or Polylactic Acid, is a thermoplastic that is derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugar cane. Unlike other 3D printing materials, PLA is completely plant-based and biodegradable.
This makes it an incredibly popular choice for 3D printing, as it is much friendlier to the environment than other plastics. PLA is also one of the easiest materials to print with, as it is not very picky about temperature or humidity levels.
Warping is also minimal with PLA, and there are no strong smells associated with the printing process. However, one downside of PLA is that it is not as strong or durable as other plastics.
This means that PLA is not ideal for objects that will be subject to a lot of wear and tear. PLA is also not food safe, so it is not recommended for use with items that will come into contact with food. Overall, PLA is a great choice for 3D printing, especially if you are looking for an eco-friendly option.
PLA is the safest material to use in your 3D Printer. It is made from entirely natural substances such as maize and sugarcane. This is why it smells so nice and sweet when heated up! When it is heated, PLA gives off a non-toxic chemical called Lactide.
Tensile strength at yield 66 MPa
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PLA (Polylactic Acid) is a popular 3D printing filament known for its ease of use, biodegradability, and low toxicity. Here is some technical data on 3D Printed PLA filament:
Melting Temperature: The melting temperature for PLA filament is typically around 180-220°C. It is important to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the printing process to ensure quality prints.
Filament Diameter: The diameter of PLA filament is usually 1.75mm or 3mm, but it can vary depending on the manufacturer.
Print Bed Temperature: The recommended print bed temperature for PLA filament is around 50-60°C. This is not always necessary, but it can help with adhesion to the print bed.
Cooling: PLA filament requires cooling during the printing process to ensure good dimensional stability and prevent warping.
Tensile Strength: PLA filament has a relatively low tensile strength of around 50-60 MPa, which means it is not as strong as some other filaments such as Nylon or ABS.
Flexural Strength: PLA filament also has a relatively low flexural strength of around 70-80 MPa, which means it is not as rigid as some other filaments.
Impact Strength: PLA filament has low impact strength and can be brittle, making it unsuitable for parts that will be subjected to significant stress or impact.
Biodegradability: PLA filament is biodegradable and can break down in the environment under certain conditions, making it a more sustainable option.
Odor: PLA filament does not produce harmful fumes or unpleasant odors during the printing process.
Post-processing: PLA filament can be sanded, painted, and glued. It can also be annealed to improve its mechanical properties, but this requires special equipment and expertise.
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