1 Topic by datasmasher (edited by datasmasher 2013-10-26 00:41:28)

  • datasmasher
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  • Registered: 2013-07-16
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Topic: Extruding PLA looking for tips

Just wanted to tap into the collective knowledge of those folks using their filastruders to extrude PLA.  I have had good luck with ABS, but I like PLA better due to it's hardness and easy of use with my printer.  I have run a small batch of PLA through the extruder, and my diameters appear about .5 mm smaller than anticipated.  My filastruder is mounted vertically and I was printing at 155c.  Any advise (i.e. temperatures, cooling time, etc)?
http://www.soliforum.com/misc.php?action=pun_attachment&item=3763&preview

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2 Reply by notstarman (edited by notstarman 2013-10-28 17:03:53)

  • notstarman
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  • Registered: 2013-05-20
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Re: Extruding PLA looking for tips

Well basically the weight of the filament is drawing the filament out causing a thinner diameter. I can think of two fixes:

First add fans to the extruder. The faster the filament cools the higher the viscosity of the PLA and the lower the amount of draw will occur resulting in a thicker filiment.

Second reduce the height of your Filastruder from the floor. This would reduce the amount of suspended material you have pulling drawing your filament out increasing the diameter of your filament.

I would also like to add that drying out the pelets before you start seems to be crucial in getting pla to flexible enough to extrude properly.