PLA-LW
€39,91
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PLA-LW
Regular price
€39,91 EUR
Regular price
€39,91 EUR
Sale price
€39,91 EUR
Unit price
per
PLA-LW
€39,91
PLA-LW (Light Weight) is an innovative lightweight PLA filament featuring active foaming technology. This revolutionary material reduces extrusion flow to 50-60% while maintaining line width, resulting in significantly lighter parts. Through its unique foaming effect, layer lines become diffused, creating a more uniform exterior finish that sets new standards in lightweight 3D printing.
This advanced formulation allows you to print two to three times more parts compared to conventional PLA spools, making it exceptionally efficient for production. While the foaming effect may create strings during travel moves, these are easily removed through post-processing. Perfect for applications where weight reduction is crucial, such as RC aircraft models where reduced wing loading enhances flight characteristics, or cosplay accessories where lightweight comfort is essential.
Key Features
- Weight Reduction: Active foaming technology Lightweight
- Enhanced Efficiency: 2-3x more parts per spool
- Uniform Finish: Diffused layer lines for better aesthetics
- Material Savings: 50-60% flow reduction while maintaining dimensions
- Easy Post-Processing: Simple cleanup and sanding
Professional Applications
- RC Aviation: Lightweight aircraft and drone components
- Cosplay Creation: Comfortable, wearable accessories
- Display Models: Large-scale lightweight prototypes
- Structural Parts: Low-density mechanical components
- Creative Projects: Efficient material usage for large prints
Complete Technical Printing Guide - PLA LW (Light Weight)
🌡️ 1. Material Preparation
Filament Drying (CRUCIAL):
- 📏 Temperature: 45°C
- ⏱️ Minimum time: 4 hours
- 💡 Proper drying is essential for optimal foaming and print quality
⚡ 2. Understanding Print Speed
Volumetric vs. Linear Speed
- 🌊 Volumetric Speed (mm³/s): Like water through a hose - measures how much plastic flows per second, regardless of nozzle size.
- 📏 Linear Speed (mm/s): Like walking speed - how fast the printer head moves across the print area
- 🔑 Key Formula: Linear Speed = Volumetric Speed / (Line Width × Layer Height)
✨ The Magic: When you set a volumetric speed limit in your slicer, it automatically calculates and adjusts all linear speeds (perimeters, infill, etc.) based on your current nozzle size and layer height. This ensures consistent material flow regardless of your print settings!
⚙️ 3. Basic Parameters
Unique Characteristics of PLA LW
This material contains a dynamic foaming agent that activates when printing above 235°C. The material expands during printing, creating a lightweight structure with reduced density. To achieve optimal results, the flow rate is reduced to 70% to compensate for the material expansion.
🎨 FOAMING ACTIVATION: The material becomes lighter and more opaque as foaming increases. Higher temperatures (within the recommended range) will result in more foaming and consequently lighter weight. This effect is normal and indicates proper activation of the foaming agent.
| Nozzle | Layer Height | Line Width | Flow Rate | Volumetric Speed | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4mm | 0.2mm | 0.42mm | 70% | 12.0 mm³/s | 240°C |
| 0.6mm | 0.3mm | 0.63mm | 70% | 27.0 mm³/s | 242°C |
| 0.8mm | 0.4mm | 0.84mm | 70% | 48.0 mm³/s | 244°C |
| 1.0mm | 0.5mm | 1.05mm | 70% | 75.0 mm³/s | 246°C |
🎯 Weight Reduction & Foaming Control
Optimizing Weight Reduction:
- Flow rate can be adjusted between 65-75% depending on desired density
- Temperature can be increased up to 250°C for maximum foaming effect
- Higher temperatures and lower flow rates result in lighter parts
Fine-tuning Guidelines:
- Start with recommended settings (70% flow, 240°C)
- For maximum weight reduction:
- Increase temperature by 5°C increments (up to 245°C)
- Reduce flow rate by 2% increments (minimum 65%)
- Monitor layer adhesion and surface quality
⚠️ Important: Higher foaming activation (higher temperature, lower flow) will result in more matte surface finish and lighter weight, but may reduce mechanical properties.
🚀 4. Speed Settings
⚠️ NOTE: All speeds are calculated considering the optimized flow rate (70%) to ensure proper material behavior and foaming activation.
0.4mm Nozzle (Volumetric Speed: 12.0 mm³/s)
| Line Type | Percentage | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| External Perimeter | 50% | 71.43 mm/s |
| Internal Perimeters | 75% | 107.14 mm/s |
| Infill | 100% | 142.86 mm/s |
| Top/Bottom | 60% | 85.71 mm/s |
| First Layer | 30% | 42.86 mm/s |
0.6mm Nozzle (Volumetric Speed: 27.0 mm³/s)
| Line Type | Percentage | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| External Perimeter | 50% | 71.43 mm/s |
| Internal Perimeters | 75% | 107.14 mm/s |
| Infill | 100% | 142.86 mm/s |
| Top/Bottom | 60% | 85.71 mm/s |
| First Layer | 30% | 42.86 mm/s |
0.8mm Nozzle (Volumetric Speed: 48.0 mm³/s)
| Line Type | Percentage | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| External Perimeter | 50% | 71.43 mm/s |
| Internal Perimeters | 75% | 107.14 mm/s |
| Infill | 100% | 142.86 mm/s |
| Top/Bottom | 60% | 85.71 mm/s |
| First Layer | 30% | 42.86 mm/s |
1.0mm Nozzle (Volumetric Speed: 75.0 mm³/s)
| Line Type | Percentage | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| External Perimeter | 50% | 71.43 mm/s |
| Internal Perimeters | 75% | 107.14 mm/s |
| Infill | 100% | 142.86 mm/s |
| Top/Bottom | 60% | 85.71 mm/s |
| First Layer | 30% | 42.86 mm/s |
↩️ 5. Retraction Settings
🚀 IMPORTANT: Due to the foaming nature of this material, proper retraction settings are crucial to prevent stringing and achieve clean prints.
| Nozzle | Distance | Speed | Z-Hop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4mm | 2.2-4.5mm | 75mm/s | 0.2mm |
| 0.6mm | 2.5-4.8mm | 75mm/s | 0.2mm |
| 0.8mm | 2.8-5.0mm | 75mm/s | 0.2mm |
| 1.0mm | 3.0-5.2mm | 75mm/s | 0.2mm |
🌡️ 6. Bed Temperature Settings
Bed Temperature:
- First layer: 60°C
- Other layers: 55°C
❄️ 7. Cooling Settings
Cooling Configuration:
- General: 20% (layer time > 20s)
- Layers < 9s: 40% fan
- First layer: Always 0%
- KEEP FAN ALWAYS: OFF
- Force fan speed for overhangs and bridges: OFF
🔧 8. Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Insufficient foaming | 1. Increase temperature (up to 245°C) 2. Decrease flow rate 3. Ensure proper drying |
| Excessive foaming | 1. Reduce temperature 2. Increase flow rate 3. Check actual line width |
| Layer adhesion issues | 1. Increase temperature 2. Reduce cooling 3. Decrease print speed |
| Stringing | 1. Optimize retraction settings 2. Ensure proper drying 3. Adjust temperature |
✨ 9. Best Practices
- 🌡️ Keep filament dry - store in airtight container with desiccant
- ⚙️ Start with recommended settings and adjust based on desired weight reduction
- 🔄 Monitor first few layers to ensure proper foaming activation
- 🚀 Use maximum travel speed to minimize stringing
⚠️ PLEASE NOTE: These printing parameters are initial recommendations based on our experience. They may need adjustment depending on your specific 3D printer, environmental conditions, and the geometry of the part you are printing. Use these settings as a starting point and fine-tune them according to your specific needs.
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