SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Why PLA?

Re: Why PLA?

2015-01-22T08:14:57Z

scobo wrote:

Another advantage to ABS is that it can be finished with acetone.
I use acetone vapour smoothing on some of my parts which melts the surface layers slightly giving a nice smooth and glossy finish. It also strenghthens the part greatly by fusing the surface layers together.
This isn't possible with PLA, as far as I know.

There is a chemical treatment that does PLA the same way and in fact is the same process. The chemical however is much more dangerous than acetone and I would advise you to read and reread the MSDS and carefully consider before trying it. I actually chickened out and gave the container of it that I bought to my employer so they could have their hazardous waste guy dispose of it. The chemical is called Tetrahydrofuran and it is nasty.

Re: Why PLA?

2015-01-22T08:08:49Z

Another advantage to ABS is that it can be finished with acetone.
I use acetone vapour smoothing on some of my parts which melts the surface layers slightly giving a nice smooth and glossy finish. It also strenghthens the part greatly by fusing the surface layers together.
This isn't possible with PLA, as far as I know.

Re: Why PLA?

2015-01-21T22:57:15Z

To me PLA has better finished quality than ABS but is more brittle where ABS will flex a bit before it breaks.

Re: Why PLA?

2015-01-21T21:33:17Z

I don't really mind the smell of ABS, i guess my nose is just not as sensitive as it used to be.

I was more concerned about the quality of the output.

Re: Why PLA?

2015-01-21T18:08:25Z

oscahie wrote:

carl_m1968 wrote:
smells like burning sugar since it is sugar based. So it actually smells pleasant unlike ABS.
This is subjective. I for instance barely notice the smell while printing with ABS. However with PLA the smell is stronger and unpleasant (again, for my liking), kind of like smelling burned oil.

That's interesting because to me ABS smells like burned oil and smell up my entire apartment using a Da Vinci. While PLA on my old printer smells like warm to hot sugar like when you are making candy. I guess burnt was a little over done.

Re: Why PLA?

2015-01-21T17:44:38Z

carl_m1968 wrote:

smells like burning sugar since it is sugar based. So it actually smells pleasant unlike ABS.

This is subjective. I for instance barely notice the smell while printing with ABS. However with PLA the smell is stronger and unpleasant (again, for my liking), kind of like smelling burned oil.

Re: Why PLA?

2015-01-21T05:26:50Z

PLA offers a lower working temp about 190 to 210, no need for a heated bed, sticks well to blue tape although hot glass works like glue with this stuff and gives a great mirror finish on the bottom, smells like burning sugar since it is sugar based. So it actually smells pleasant unlike ABS. It does seem to have a better finish versus ABS and is more forgiving on a poorly tuned machine.

The disadvantage of PLA printing wise is that is Biodegradable and is supposed to break down in a landfill with in a few years when exposed to ultraviolet (sunlight) and the natural elements. So it cannot be used for anything that would be used outside or exposed to sunlight. It also cannot be used for anything that would be in a car. The summer temps in a car get high enough to make it warp.

Re: Why PLA?

2015-01-21T05:14:00Z

I need PLA because I am building a reprap funbot. in order to print bushings it has to be PLA because ABS is to soft.

Why PLA?

2015-01-21T04:28:17Z

I have heard a lot of talk about printing with PLA. Why is it better? Some of the pictures of printed objects seem to have less striations that indicate the print layers as they are built up. Is this something that is inherent in the PLA printing process or is it because people who can get PLA to work on a Da Vinci have the knowledge to get their machines tuned better than my newbie attempts?

Steven