LW-PLA PolyLite – lightweight filament (white)

LW-PLA PolyLite – lightweight filament (white)

LW-PLA (lightweight PLA) is a cutting-edge category of PLA filaments specifically developed for RC aircraft and other applications that require a lightweight and easy-to-print material. The low density is achieved through the use of a foam structure that offers a unique balance between strength and weight for 3D printing. Combined with an attractive matte surface finish, PolyLite™ LW-PLA lends itself to a wide range of applications including:

• Aerodynamic wings of RC airplane
• RC-aircraft fuselages
• Props for cosplay
• Other light components.
• Architectural models.
• Housewares.

There are two types of LW-PLA: active and passive foaming.

Active foaming occurs during the printing process, with the speed of foaming controlled by printer settings such as temperature and flow rate. However, this process can be challenging to achieve both lightweight results and high dimensional accuracy of the final product. Often high temperatures, around 250 degrees, are required to achieve light prints, but this can also lead to defects such as threads and beads.

Passive foamed filaments, such as PolyLite™ LW-PLA, are produced as a pre-foamed filament whose foam structure can survive the printing process and be inherited by the printed parts. This results in consistent low density regardless of temperature, allowing you to select the optimum temperature for the desired part quality without worrying about the effect on density. This allows lightweight 3D printing even at lower temperatures of around 190 degrees. Typically, the lower the temperature, the higher the quality of the final print, making this LW-PLA an ideal solution for those looking for a balance between low weight and high quality prints.

PolyLite™ LW-PLA is a special PLA foam designed to print at similar settings as regular PLA, but at half the weight (0.6 g/cm3). Its low density makes PolyLite™ LW-PLA an excellent choice for printing lightweight parts including fuselages, wing parts and other lightweight components for RC aircraft. Thanks to foaming technology, this LW-PLA also prints with a very matte surface that hides layers.

Features

PolyLite™ LW-PLA is a lightweight PLA filament developed with Polymaker’s stabilized foam technology to produce a pre-foamed filament whose foam structure can survive the printing process and be inherited by the printed parts. PolyLite™ LW-PLA allows 3D printing of lightweight models with a consistent low density (0.6 g/cm3), even when printing at low temperatures (~190˚C).

Unlike other LW-PLA filaments that actively foam during the printing process depending on temperature, PolyLite™ LW-PLA’s stabilized foaming technology offers significant advantages. Compensating for the variable foaming rate that occurs with competitive LW-PLA typically requires significant adjustment, but with Polymaker’s stabilized foaming PLA, extrusion density and width are constant regardless of temperature. This not only reduces the difficulty of setting up Polymakers LW-PLA, but also gives you more freedom to choose the right nozzle temperature for print quality without worrying about how it changes the density of the material.

Matt finish

The Stabilized Foaming™ technology in PolyLite™ LW-PLA provides an incredible matte surface finish, making it a unique material choice for aesthetic applications such as architectural models, figurines, play dioramas, decorations and more.

Compatibility / Jam-Free™

PolyLite™ LW-PLA is compatible with a wide range of 3D printers and is manufactured using Polymakers Jam-Free™ technology, which results in excellent print quality with zero risk of nozzle clogging caused by thermal creep [1]. PolyLite™ LW-PLA works well with many common printing surfaces and does not require strict bed heating, but may be recommended for some surfaces or build plate geometries for better results (up to 60°C).

Uncompromising quality

PolyLite™ LW-PLA filament is a PLA blend made from the highest quality ingredients, including Ingeo® from Natureworks. Natureworks is a leading US-based global supplier of biopolymers with a portfolio of high-quality PLA feedstocks made from rapidly renewable plant resources. Combining Polymakers’ innovative R&D technologies, blending and extrusion systems with Natureworks’ Ingeo® resins yields a reliable 3D printing filament for printing beautiful and accurate models

[1] Thermal creep is the process of non-uniform heat distribution throughout the hotend , which is a common example in all metallic hotend structures. Once the heat is spread to the cold end, the PLA filament softens prematurely at the cold end and expands, causing a jam. Polymakers’ Jam-Free™ technology increases the heat resistance of the filament itself (not the printed part) up to 100˚C, which prevents the filament from softening prematurely at the cold end and can still melt quickly once it enters the heating zone.

Print settings

• Nozzle temperature 190°C – 210°C
• Plate temperature 25°C – 60°C
• Surface treatment for construction is not normally required. Some printers may benefit from applying Ecofixy adhesive to the build surface.
• Cooling fan included
• Print speed 30 mm/s – 50 mm/s
• Ideal retraction settings vary by printer.
• Direct drive: retraction distance of 3 mm at a retraction speed of 40 mm/s
• Bowden: Retraction distance of 6 mm at a retraction speed of 40-60 mm/s
• Recommended support material Single extrusion: Self-support
• Double extrusion: PolyDissolve™ S1 or PolySupport™

Polymaker is an international team that is passionate about 3D printing. They produce the finest 3D printing materials, controlling every stage of production. With a diverse portfolio of materials ranging from high-performance plastics to unique aesthetic solutions, Polymaker will continue to add cutting-edge materials to their ever-growing portfolio.

At the heart of Polymaker is their research and development lab, where all Polymaker materials are formulated and refined from scratch to create best-in-class 3D printing materials. Precision testing equipment combines the latest advances in technology to ensure they are ahead of the game.

PolyLite™ PLA LW-PLA, like all other Polymaker materials, is manufactured using state-of-the-art polymer processing technology and equipment. Polymaker’s stringent quality control processes ensure industry standards of reliability for consistent customer service.

Tolerance – Polymaker has developed custom extrusion, control and monitoring solutions to ensure filament tolerance and roundness meet Polymakers stringent quality standards.
Reliable mechanical, coloring and printing properties – Each batch of filament products is tested to ensure that all quality specifications (melt flow, softening point, mechanical properties, diameter, roundness) are met.
Drying and Vacuum Sealing – All Polymaker filaments are dried to a moisture level before being packaged < 0.1% to ensure the best print quality, and are vacuum sealed to protect the filaments from moisture. All vacuum packed products are allowed to sit for 24 hours before being boxed to ensure they do not leak.

PolyLite™ PLA LW-PLA is spooled on Polymakers cardboard spools made from recycled cardboard. The cutout and weight gauge on the side of the spool make it easy to see exactly how much filament is left for your next printing project. The recycled cardboard packaging and cardboard spool of the PolyLite™ PLA LW-PLA are the first step taken towards creating more environmentally sustainable products. The spool is packaged in a vacuum-sealable bag to ensure your filament doesn’t get wet. Like all other PLA filaments, PolyLite™ PLA LW-PLA is hygroscopic, so we recommend that you keep this pouch for filament storage.