The countdown to Christmas continues with our 25 Days of Materials, up next is Soft PLA.

Tis the season to be jolly, join the Wolfpack in a fun 25 Days of Materials 3D printing countdown to Christmas and learn about 25 different materials and their unique properties! The objects to be 3D printed are part of the Advent Calendar/Christmas Treedesigned by pleppik. Everyday we will be unveiling a new part of the Advent Calendar and talking about a different special 3D printing material.

Day 17: Tardis. 3D Printing with Soft PLA

Following the Wolfpack’s 25 Days of Materials 3D printing countdown is a Tardis 3D printed with Soft PLA. Soft PLA is a flexible material that acts and feels much like rubber. This material’s hardness makes it perfect for 3D printed tank treads or robot wheels. Can be used to print parts that must flex or bend to fit their environment.

 

 

Some applications of Soft PLA:

• Belts.
• Phone cases.
• Springs.
• Stoppers.

Some interesting facts about Soft PLA:

• This filament is PLA filament mixed with a chemical to promote rubbery, tough and soft characteristics.
• This flexible PLA will allow you to create prints with similar properties to durable rubber.

3D PRINTING WITH SOFT PLA: TIPS AND TRICKS

• Set your hot end temperature between 210 and 225°C.
• We recommend printing Soft PLA slightly slower than normal PLA. No heated bed is necessary.
• Soft PLA must be printed on a prepared surface for correct adhesion.
• Apply one coat of Wolfbite Nano. After
  applying Wolfbite Nano directly on glass, wait for the solution to dry.  Printing can commence immediately afterward, either with a heated or room-temperature bed. Airwolf 3D specially formulated the proprietary solution to not only promote excellent adhesion but also to make part removal easy.

Finishing Techniques with Soft PLA

Have you ever wondered how some Soft PLA parts are smoothed? Smoothing your part can help to blend the printing layers together to create increased strength and promote a shinier finish. The experimental procedure for vapor treating Soft PLA with THF is essentially the same as for treating ABS with acetone.

• Place your Soft PLA part on a non-soluble support of some kind and inside of a closed vessel where no air comes in.
• Apply heat to evaporate the THF so it can smooth the part’s surface.
• Remove the part from the closed non-soluble support and let it dry.

Are you ready to start 3D Printing with Soft PLA? Great! You can buy some Soft PLA from MatterHackers online store.

MORE MATERIALS TO FOLLOW!

Below is a chart to list a few of the 3D printing filaments that we will be discussing over the next 25 Days of Materials.

Day 1: Nylon.
Day 2: HIPS.
Day 3: Stainless Steel PLA.
Day 4: PC-ABS.
Day 5: PETG.
Day 6: PLA.
Day 7: IGUS Iglidur.
Day 8: Coffee PLA.
Day 9: LAYBRICK.
Day 10: Bridge Nylon.
Day 11: LayWOO-D3.
Day 12: ALLOY 910.
Day 13: NinjaFlex TPE.
Day 14: Aromatic Pine PLA.
Day 15: Copperfill.
Day 16: ABS.

Did you like this article about 3D Printing with Soft PLA and are you interested in learning more about 3D printing materials? Then sign up for our newsletter to receive your daily dose of 3D printing material knowledge – happening only this month!