Description
Colorfabb LW-PLA Natural is a specialty PLA filament that uses a unique active foaming technology to allow you to print lightweight, low density parts. It is the ideal solution where strength and lightness are important. LW-PLA also helps reduce printing time due to the expanding property of the filament resulting in bigger layer heights. The resultant models have a rough matte surface finish.
At about 230C the filament will start to foam resulting in a 3 x volume increase in the material. If the material flow rate is decreased by 60% it will result in lighter weight parts with a lower density than conventional PLA.
So what is LW-PLA good for: well, ignoring its efficacy for reducing printing time, it is obviously very suited for drones and remote control vehicles, especially if the model you are building is going to fly.
Note: To achieve the best results with LW-PLA you will need to optimise your settings to get the best results. The main settings that need to be fine tuned are Temperature, Speed and Flow rate.
How to print with LW-PLA
The main thing to consider is the dimensional accuracy of the resultant print due to its expanding properties. In general to hone your parts you should begin the optimisation process by printing a number of test cubes (e.g. our calibration cube ). You can then collect some information on expansion at different temperatures, speed and flow given your nozzle diameter. The four steps recommended by Colorfabb for this are:
- Print cubes at a set speed in temperatures varying from 200°C up to 280°C
- Measure perimeter thickness of each cube, note the temperature with the highest expansion.
- Print cubes with decreasing steps of flow, using the temperature found in step 2.
- Find the cube at which the perimeter thickness equals the nozzle size.
LW-PLA specifications
- Printing Temperature: 195-260°C
- Print Speed: 40-100mm/s
- Heated Bed Temperature: 50-60°C (although not necessary)
- Diameter Tolerance: ± 0.1 mm
- Density: 1.210-1.430 g·cm³ (non activated density); 0.403 – 0,476 g·cm³ (maximum activated density)
- Glass Transition Temperature: 55°C
- Spool Size: 750g
UK Shipping
Orders over 2kg in weight are shipped via DHL Express orders under 2kg are shipped via Royal Mail 48hrs Tracked.
The advantage of flat rate Postage and Packaging to our customers are that if you order 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 spools of filament the price is the same.
p.s. Were sorry about the Highland & Islands shipping costs, it’s a reflection on the increased shipping charges we have to pay.
International Shipping
We do ship internationally but ask if you can contact us to arrange an order as shipping costs can vary greatly depending upon destination and weight. Please see or International orders page for more information.
Returns & Refunds
Firstly, if you want to return a product or you have a faulty product please get in touch as soon as possible!
To prevent ordering incorrect items, if you are unsure just ask and we can offer some guidance. However, bear in mind that we cannot say whether a particular product will be right for the purpose that you intend to use it for.
You can return your goods to iDig3Dprinting for any reason within 14 business days following receipt at your delivery address as long as they are in a re-saleable condition.
Filaments & resins cannot be returned once opened as once exposed to air these items perish.
Downloadable goods and 3D print samples cannot be returned and no refund will be issued.
Shipping costs of returned items are paid by the customer
A full refund will be issued for unopened items that are returned in their original packaging that are in a "as new" re-saleable condition minus additional costs that are incurred by iDig3Dprinting like payment processing fees, custom duties or charges.
We are afraid we cannot issue refunds for products that have been defaced, altered, used, or damaged in any way. All requests for refunds are subject to inspection by iDig3DPrinting of the returned item. We are not a charity or a lending library.
Refunds and returns for faulty items works a bit differently. Faulty goods can be accepted for return upto 60 days from receipt of the goods (However we prefer to offer diagnostics and repair solutions prior to an actual return, its better for the environment). After this time you will need to contact the Manufacturer. A repair or replacement will be issued for faulty goods once they have passed inspection and been found by iDig3Dprinting to be faulty.
This is a brief account of our returns policy. For the full terms please see our Terms and conditions page. Content on the Terms and Conditions page supersedes this content.
How to raise a return request
The main thing is please communicate with us. We are not omnipotent!
We can be quite flexible but this is built upon a foundation of mutual respect between our customers and iDig3Dprinting.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.