PLA or Polylactic Acid is one of the most popular filament options for 3D printing. But there are a few reasons for that. You see, this material is entirely eco-friendly, making it sustainable. And since it is made with renewable resources, it is a choice for many people in today’s world.
But if you are here, you must wonder how to choose the right PLA filament for your 3D printer. So, we’re covering everything you need to know to not only have the right PLA filament but choose the best one that is going to give you unreal outcomes!
The Charm of Using PLA Filament
PLA’s whole charm is related to its eco-friendly properties and the ability to print many mechanical parts. It is a unique filament that can be printed without you having to heat it up to unreal temperatures.
Moreover, this type of PLA filament doesn’t even require a heating bed but it is still recommended to choose so. Usually, the PLA filament is made from different materials including biodegradable ones like corn starch, so that just adds a lot of points to its appeal.
However, one thing is true: this material is not ideal for outdoor use because it can cause problems with UV radiation and low-temperature scenarios. So, what are some of the things you need to consider before buying the right PLA filament? Let’s find out!
The Temperature Matters
To get the best possible results on a PLA, you must understand that temperature matters here, too. While many manufacturers make it seem like the temperature on PLA is less lenient compared to something like an FDM printer, it is true that PLA still requires around 190-220°C, depending upon the filament that you’re using.
Compared to FDM, that’s like a 20-30°C decrease, but we still cannot ignore the importance of PLA filament’s temperature. So, whenever you’re choosing a PLA filament for your 3D printer, you should choose a brand that would recommend you the ideal temperature range for their product.
The Importance of Diameter
Then comes the part that most people aren’t wary of, and they end up printing poor quality. This is where the importance of diameter comes in. The most common nozzle size for a 3D printer is 0.4mm, which is why you should always check out if your printer is even compatible with the PLA filament that you’re buying.
If you use the wrong PLA filament for your 3D printer, it will end up producing poor results and even cause issues like nozzle clogging, ultimately damaging the print. In other words, whenever you choose the right PLA filament for your 3D printer, you need to ensure that it has more than just branding to it and the brand should mention the nozzle size that it supports!
At the end of this topic, we will recommend you the best PLA filament that will fit all your needs, from compatibility and diversity to printing the best possible results with your 3D printer.
Understanding Printing Speeds
Printing speed is one of the most important aspects when you are trying to 3D print. After all, who doesn’t like getting their prints fast? But aside from the power and capabilities of your 3D printer, do you know that many people have no idea that their PLA filament also supports a certain printing speed?
The optimal printing speed really depends upon the complexity of your 3D print. But in general, you will notice that 40mm/s to 60mm/s is the ideal printing speed for your PLA filament. However, you should go above and beyond and get a filament that is future-proof.
The 3D printing technologies are changing every day, and we know that in the future, the prints are going to get much faster. So, buying a PLA filament that supports the range of 30mm/s to 80mm/s would be an ideal choice for you.
This speed ensures you’re getting the best quality output while speeding up your 3D print.
The Color Choice
This might be obvious for most, but color choices do matter a lot. PLA filaments are usually available in many colors. They can come in different hues like Black/Purple/Blue to something like Red/Blue/Green.
There are even some brands like Chitu Systems that offer PLA filaments in a variety of colors in packages where they are the most cost effective to you. But when we talk about cost-effectiveness, we cannot sacrifice the color choice.
For example, if you’re making a 3D print of an animal, you need a 3D printer filament that will go with its aesthetics. But if you’re making a mechanical product, then you might need something different.
In other words, choosing the right PLA filament is all about your preference but never sacrifice quality for quantity!
Choosing Conjure Silk PLA 3D Printer Filament
Imagine a PLA filament that has the following quality:
- Smooth and glossy
- No warping
- Tri-color choice
- No bubble
While these might seem impossible to get in a cost-effective manner, Chitu Systems is offering its Conjure Silk PLA filament that is a game changer. All of the aspects that we’ve mentioned before, the PLA filament contains it.
For example, the product is best printed in temperatures around 210-215°C, which is something that is good to know right from the manufacturer. Then, it is compatible with the most common nozzle size of 0.4mm, which is something you might miss in many other 3D printers.
Lastly, the PLA filament offers you bi or tri-color choice, so if you’re making models of your favorite 3D prints, you are going to get absolutely the best possible results. So, whether you’re printing mechanical parts of 3D action figures with insane accuracy, the Conjure filament is one of the best choices you have.