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ePLA-LW (Lightweight PLA) is a material specially developed by eSUN for the fields of model airplanes, drones, and COSPLAY. Compared with WOOD, ePLA-LW has more stable interlayer bonding, and the foaming rate and strength can be controlled by adjusting the printing temperature. Use active foaming technology to achieve lightweight, low-density PLA parts. The foaming volume ratio is 220%, and when printing the same volume model, 1 roll of ePLA-LW can be used as 2.2 rolls of ordinary PLA. Foaming makes the layered pattern almost invisible, and the surface of the printed item is matte and delicate. At around 210-270°C, this material starts to foam during printing, increasing its volume by nearly 1.2 times, and the printing extrusion rate can be reduced to 45% to print lightweight parts.

 

Under the same model and at the same speed, the use of lightweight PLA enables the model aircraft to have a lighter wing load and a lower stall speed. For models such as airplanes, under the condition of balanced strength, reducing the weight as much as possible can greatly improve the performance of the airplane.

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Low density, up to 0.54g/cm3

The foaming volume ratio is 220%, and 1 roll of ePLA-LW is equivalent to 2.2 rolls of ordinary PLA

Free adjustment of strength and foaming ratio

Excellent surface effect, matte and delicate

Good adhesion between layers, resistant to explosion and easy to repair

Easy to paint, strong surface paint adhesion

Excellent printability, large models do not warp, do not block, and do not need a constant temperature chamber

Product parameters:

Physical performance indicators of unfoamed consumables:

                              3D PRINTING FILAMENT                                                           Test Method                                                       ePLA-LW

            Melt Flow Index(g/10min)    

GB/T 3682-2000

8.1(190℃/2.16kg)

Ensity

GB/T 1033-86

1.2g/cm3

IZOD Impact Strength(kJ/㎡

GB/T 1843-96

8.58kJ/㎡

Tensile Strength(MPa)

GB/T 1040-92

32.2MPa

Elongation at Break(%)

GB/T 1040-92

68.9%

Flexural Strength(MPa)

GB/T 9341-2000

41.31MPa

Flexural Modulus(MPa)

GB/T 9341-2000

1701MPa

Printing performance indicators comparison:

                                              Filament                                                                                Wood                                                          ePLA-LW

Foaming process

Foaming during production but not foaming during printing

No foaming during production, foaming during printing

Interlayer bonding

Normal

Strong

Density

0.7

Up to 0.54

Free adjustment of foaming ratio and strength

No

68.9%

Printing parameters:

Recommended printing temperature

190-270℃

Unfoamed printing temperature

190-210℃

Foam printing temperature

210-270℃

Maximum foaming temperature

270℃

Maximum foaming rate (270℃)

122%

Lowest extrusion rate (270℃)

45%

 Bed temperature

45-60°C/No heating (Masking paper, PVP solid glue, glass board, carbon fiber board, PEI)

Printing speed

40-80mm/s

Printing test conditions: nozzle 190-280℃; layer height 0.2mm; bed 45℃; speed 40mm/s

With different temperature foaming ratio:

Temperature/℃ 

 

​

Foaming rate/%

 

​

Volume ratio/%

 

​

Extrusion rate/%

 

​

Density/g/cm3

 

​

speed

​

200               210               220               230               240               250               260               270               280

  0                   0                  11                 33                 82                100               122               122                82

100               100               111               133               182               200               222               222               182

100               100                90                 75                 55                 50                 45                245                55

1.2                1.2               1.08                0.9               0.66               0.6               0.54              0.54             0.66

40mm/s

Print test conditions: bottom plate 45℃; speed 40mm/s

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Precautions:

1. Note that the first layer speed setting is consistent with the actual printing speed, set to 100% of the actual printing speed, turn off the first layer and small area printing speed reduction function, the first layer extrusion rate is consistent with the actual foaming extrusion rate, such as 270 degrees set to 45% of the first layer extrusion rate; if the bed adhesion is too strong, you can set the bottom valve when printing.

 

2. Pay attention to the maximum operating temperature of the printer. Most Teflon tube printers cannot be operated for a long time above 250℃. Long-term printing above this temperature may cause blocking. If the temperature exceeds 250℃, high temperature printers such as metal hoses are required for printing.

 

3. Yellowing of printed parts after high temperature foaming is a normal phenomenon. Lowering the printing temperature can relieve it.

 

4. Since the ePLA-LW foams continuously in the melting cavity of the high-temperature nozzle, the retraction basically does not work. Stringing is normal during printing. It is recommended to print the rc plane in vase mode to reduce the effect of stringing.

 

5. Foaming ratio is related to temperature, printing speed, nozzle melting cavity size, pay attention to compare model design wall thickness according to your own printing situation, adjust extrusion rate, temperature, speed and other parameters.

The First Print
Video by: Marko Roolaid
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