Why all the rage for PLA?
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Eaglezsoar
- ULTIMATE 3D JEDI
- Posts: 7159
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2012 5:26 pm
Re: Why all the rage for PLA?
Sounds good for a first edition!
Re: Why all the rage for PLA?
I print with PLA most of the time except when heat is an issue. It has performed really well for making tools for assembly and testing of products at work. And for me it has been easier to work with when printing large parts than ABS was. But I must admit, the fan shrouds I made for my first two prints on my Rostock Max in silver ABS were beautiful and printed without issues.
A few examples of PLA parts ...
A socket for a castle nut that is torqued to 6 in-lbs has been used dozens of times without breaking. I made this to test the concept before making a metal one and just kept using it when it performed so well. As an added bonus it does not mar the finish on the product either.
A fixture to pry the case of an electronic gizmo open. It has a handle with cams near the pivot points and it applies about 8 pounds force to pry the case halves apart.
Fixtures for installing spring pins into small linkages. Not much load on them but they make assembly faster and more consistent and have not been damaged yet.
Fixtures for mounting circuit boards and connectors so components can be tested before final assembly. These have also been proving to be useful and rugged so far.
A few examples of PLA parts ...
A socket for a castle nut that is torqued to 6 in-lbs has been used dozens of times without breaking. I made this to test the concept before making a metal one and just kept using it when it performed so well. As an added bonus it does not mar the finish on the product either.
A fixture to pry the case of an electronic gizmo open. It has a handle with cams near the pivot points and it applies about 8 pounds force to pry the case halves apart.
Fixtures for installing spring pins into small linkages. Not much load on them but they make assembly faster and more consistent and have not been damaged yet.
Fixtures for mounting circuit boards and connectors so components can be tested before final assembly. These have also been proving to be useful and rugged so far.
Re: Why all the rage for PLA?
Just a quick note to say that my PLA printing has improved - thanks to all the help from mhackney. However, I am still not a big PLA fan but I do see the benefit based upon some of the posts above. I "grew up" on ABS and guess I am still biased towards it. I do not dislike the PLA as much now that all my extrusion issues are resolved. I guess it will just take time...
-jeff
-jeff
Re: Why all the rage for PLA?
Patience, young Jedi! 
g.
g.
Delta Power!
Defeat the Cartesian Agenda!
http://www.f15sim.com - 80-0007, The only one of its kind.
http://geneb.simpits.org - Technical and Simulator Projects
Defeat the Cartesian Agenda!
http://www.f15sim.com - 80-0007, The only one of its kind.
http://geneb.simpits.org - Technical and Simulator Projects
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dunginhawk
- Printmaster!
- Posts: 361
- Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2014 4:12 pm
Re: Why all the rage for PLA?
im just not a fan because it is such a brittle filament, as compared to ABS... abs has just enough flex to withstand a lot more beating.
I have a lot of PLA laying around, and can get great results from it, I just don't see the hype
I posted this elsewhere, but ill post here too.
can PLA withstand temps above 100f? does it degrade over time? 1-2 years? could it stand up to a factory setting as well as abs?
I have a lot of PLA laying around, and can get great results from it, I just don't see the hype
I posted this elsewhere, but ill post here too.
can PLA withstand temps above 100f? does it degrade over time? 1-2 years? could it stand up to a factory setting as well as abs?