<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
	<channel>
		<title><![CDATA[SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Printing PLA on a Solidoodle]]></title>
		<link>https://www.soliforum.com/topic/7889/printing-pla-on-a-solidoodle/</link>
		<atom:link href="https://www.soliforum.com/feed/rss/topic/7889/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
		<description><![CDATA[The most recent posts in Printing PLA on a Solidoodle.]]></description>
		<lastBuildDate>Sat, 04 Oct 2014 13:33:48 +0000</lastBuildDate>
		<generator>PunBB</generator>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Re: Printing PLA on a Solidoodle]]></title>
			<link>https://www.soliforum.com/post/67604/#p67604</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>AZ thanks for encouraging folks. As most know I am relatively new to Actually 3d printing . I have had my Sd 4 for about&nbsp; 2 months and have only printed PLA.&nbsp; For personal health reasons I do not think the exposier to&nbsp; ABS fumes is a good Idea. <br />I agree&nbsp; with a bit of adjusting to the machine and proper software settings PLA can be printed on a stock solidoodle. <br />PLA is the recommended material&nbsp; material for the hands made and distributed by the E-Nable community. although the new colorfab XT has great possibilities. </p><p>I am considering adding a cooling fan near the nozzle. <br />Tin</p>]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[null@example.com (Tin Falcon)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Sat, 04 Oct 2014 13:33:48 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.soliforum.com/post/67604/#p67604</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Re: Printing PLA on a Solidoodle]]></title>
			<link>https://www.soliforum.com/post/67574/#p67574</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>I&#039;d just add that what happens with PLA when over heated causing clog is it crystallizes b4 burning temp is reached which is only removable by drilling it out most times as its near hard as glass seems. so in the process of pushing the last of ABS out when switching to PLA this is when its easy for this to happen while temp is higher to melt ABS then soon as ABS is cleared you must lower temp to PLA extrusion temp. I done OK at this on my old style SD2 but was very nervous till switched back to ABS again. didnt see much reason to use PLA again on my printer. may use up the roll of White PLA on a newer model sometime if needed for drink cup etc. I am happy with my air purifier for ABS for my small printed models etc.</p><p>so if you try PLA on one of the older models be extreamly careful during change out with temps and keep plastic flowing so it dont sit long in hot head when over PLA temps.</p><p>also you need to create a new filament setting in Slic3r for PLA with its temps etc and be sure the correct setting is used in slicer tab for filament in use even after going back to ABS</p>]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[null@example.com (n2ri)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2014 21:42:39 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.soliforum.com/post/67574/#p67574</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Re: Printing PLA on a Solidoodle]]></title>
			<link>https://www.soliforum.com/post/67564/#p67564</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>Awesome, thanks !</p>]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[null@example.com (madfalcon81)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2014 17:53:11 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.soliforum.com/post/67564/#p67564</guid>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Printing PLA on a Solidoodle]]></title>
			<link>https://www.soliforum.com/post/67546/#p67546</link>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><strong> <em>&quot;ABS recommended, but PLA is possible&quot;</em> - Solidoodle website </strong></p><p>This statement can be misleading as new users tend to misunderstand the possibilities of their new printer. Many people prefer PLA due to the smell or for environmental reasons. It is more than possible to print PLA on a stock Solidoodle, and this thread is intended to be a &quot;one stop shop&quot; to cut down on the increasing number of threads asking this very question.<br />This has also been discussed <a href="http://www.soliforum.com/topic/2926/guide-to-printing-pla-on-a-solidoodle/"> Here </a></p><p>PLA (Polylactic Acid) is made from corn, sugarcane, starch, and so on. This gives PLA not only a more environmentally friendly characteristic, but also smells much better as extruding ABS smells like...well...burning plastic, whereas PLA smells like maple syrup. <br />A great link giving the differences between PLA and ABS and be foung <a href="http://www.protoparadigm.com/news-updates/the-difference-between-abs-and-pla-for-3d-printing/"> Here </a><br />When talking about printing PLA, especially on Soliforum, you first want to take the hotend into account. The stock Solidoodle hotend is very capable of printing PLA, but many users on Soliforum have upgraded to an <a href="http://www.filastruder.com/collections/e3d-hotends/products/all-metal-e3d-v6-hotend"> E3D all metal hotend </a>. One of the many differences between the E3D and the stock SD hotend are where the thermistors are placed. The thermistor used on the E3D is more accurate not only because of the type used, but also where the thermistor is placed. This will give a range of 30c +/- difference in your conversation. So while the E3D would extrude PLA at 210c, the stock hotend would be set around 180c. Bare this in mind when looking up settings from other users.</p><p><strong> Problems With PLA </strong><br />PLA is more notorious to clog your hotend. Be sure you extrude at a lower temperature rather than higher. If it is set to extrude at 245c, this setting is too high, the filament will melt before reaching the nozzle, and will cause a clog. As with any filament, do not attempt to extrude UNDER the recommended temperature, or you could strip the filament or potentially damage your extruder. </p><p>PLA takes longer to cool than ABS. This may not seem that big of a deal, but it certainly can be. If printing a small part, the hotend will be close to the part for long periods of time. This would mean the part has not been given enough time to properly cool down before the next layer is applied. This is easily combated by installing a fan onto your hotend to actively cool the filament as is is extruded. Whether using a 30mm fan or 40mm fan, and whatever extruder body you have, there are many designs for mounting found <a href="http://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=solidoodle+fan+mount&amp;sa="> Here </a><br />If you do not have an enclosure on your printer, you can easily use a desk fan.</p><p>Because of its low melting temperature, it is not recommended to print some items like a new <a href="http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:393928"> extruder </a> out of PLA since many users have mentioned their extruder bodies were melting mid-print. This is not a good position to be in when meeting a deadline.</p><p><strong> Is PLA right for you? </strong><br />When properly printed, PLA can be tough as nails, but it all depends on what application the print is being used for. As with any material, you need the right tool for the job. PLA has been reported to break down in water much faster than ABS, and claims have been made that the printed part will melt if left inside a hot car on a summer afternoon.</p><p><strong> Finishing/Smoothing PLA </strong><br />Unlike ABS, acetone has virtually no effect on PLA. LdyMox posted here results experimenting with MEK <a href="http://www.soliforum.com/topic/6456/lil-test-in-smoothing-pla/"> Here </a></p><p>As proof you can indeed print PLA on a stock Solidoodle, I printed a <a href="http://www.thingiverse.com/make:61303"> massive geared heart </a> before I made any real changes to my printer.</p><p>Hope this clears some misconceptions, and happy printing!</p>]]></description>
			<author><![CDATA[null@example.com (AZERATE)]]></author>
			<pubDate>Fri, 03 Oct 2014 15:39:10 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid>https://www.soliforum.com/post/67546/#p67546</guid>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
