Name: PLA-LW
Brand: Recreus
SKU: 45927389626627
Price: 39.91 EUR
Availability: InStock

Description
Printing Parameters
Documents

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

Printing Parameters

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.

Documents

Technical Data Sheet Download TDS & MSDS

Safety & Compliance Material Safety Documentation

Reach & RoHS Product Safety

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