Luminous filament is an amazing touch to sprinkle some novelty into your 3D printed masterpieces; loads of tech fans are buzzing about its efficiency. Being the tech nerd that I am, Carolina, I plunged deep into the details, curated my findings, and am thrilled to present you with a comprehensive luminous filament manual, coupled with some cool tips and tricks. Luminous filament has been climbing the ranks in the 3D printing scene, unlocking a galaxy of mesmerizing creations. Once you’ve mastered the optimal settings and handpicked the top luminous filament, your artistic horizons are boundless. Dive into this guide for a deep dive into the world of luminous filament and some genius pointers to rev up your 3D printing game. Hang tight!
What Exactly is Luminous Filament?
Diving into Luminous Filament 101
Optimal Temperature for Luminous Filament
Nailing the Printing Speed for Luminous Filament
To Heat or Not to Heat? Bed Temperatures for Luminous Filament
Cooling Fan Use in Luminous Filament Printing
Infill Preferences & Additional Insights
Luminous PETG – Is That a Thing?
Advantages of PETG
PETG Printing Specs
Is Luminous Filament Tough on Printers?
Top Picks: Luminous Filament Recommendations
Luminous filament is crafted from phosphorescent elements, predominantly strontium aluminates, though zinc sulfide and calcium sulfide make their appearances too. These radiant components seamlessly blend with either PLA or ABS filament, giving birth to the luminous filament. Observing the manufacturing of composite PLA or ABS filament, like carbon fiber or wood filament, reveals a parallel process that gifts these unique characteristics.
These materials operate by soaking up energy straight from sources; ultraviolet radiation from a black light being the pinnacle. Direct sunlight follows suit, then fluorescent lights, and lastly, the humble incandescent lights. Post an energizing ‘charge’, the luminous filament gives a brief but impressive performance. Green dominates the luminous scene because our human eyes are naturally attuned to it. Ever noticed the green hue of night vision goggles? That’s why!
On the outset, luminous filament might appear mundane, akin to regular filament. But give it the light it craves, and watch its magnificent powers unfold. The MGChemicals PLA Luminous Filament from Amazon has bagged rave reviews and boasts spot-on dimensional precision, ensuring flawless printing.
Diving into Luminous Filament 101
If you’re itching to start printing with luminous filament, here’s the lowdown on settings and some guidelines:
Material: Luminous filament (PLA or ABS blend)
Properties: Infused with phosphorescent elements, empowering prints to shine in the dark.
Applications:
– Decorative indoor items
– Playthings
– External safety markers & signage
Recommended Printing Temperature:
– 180 to 220 °C for PLA-blend filament
– 210 to 240 °C for ABS-blend filament
Bed Adhesion:
– Trusty blue painter’s tape sans heated bed
– A swipe of glue stick with heated bed
Printing Speed: Initiate at 50 to 60 mm/s and adjust as needed
Cooling:
– Skip cooling for ABS-blend prints
– A cooling fan is a go for PLA-blend prints
Optimal Temperature for Luminous Filament
ABS prints within 210 to 240°C, while PLA is more modest, ranging from 180 to 220°C. If you’re using a hardened nozzle with luminous filament, bump up the temperature slightly due to the reduced thermal conductivity compared to brass.
Nailing the Printing Speed for Luminous Filament
Feedback suggests luminous filaments excel between 15 mm/s and a whopping 100 mm/s. To strike a balance, aiming for 50 to 60 mm/s should give you impeccable results. The PLA-blend luminous filament, in particular, promises top-tier outputs.
To Heat or Not to Heat? Bed Temperatures for Luminous Filament
Based on my geeky escapades, a heated bed should hover between 60 to 70°C. However, with ABS blends, crank it up to around 100 to 110°C to ensure print perfection.
Cooling Fan Use in Luminous Filament Printing
ABS filament isn’t a fan (pun intended!) of cooling fans. However, for PLA prints, a cooling fan is essential.
Infill Preferences & Additional Insights
Boosting wall thickness might augment the glow duration. Opting for fewer infills but more shells should yield impressive luminous prints.
Luminous PETG – Is That a Thing?
Absolutely! PETG, the latest 3D printing material, is like the brainchild of ABS and PLA. Though naturally transparent, it’s got that luminous flair. The allure of PETG lies in its:
– Heat resilience
– Minimal warping
– Enhanced phosphor content for stellar brightness
– Robust layer bonding
– Subdued aroma
– See-through hue
– Remarkable impact resistance
PETG Printing Specs
Heated bed temp: 60 – 70°C
Print nozzle temp: 230 – 245°C
Is Luminous Filament Tough on Printers?
Yes, luminous filaments can be abrasive, posing challenges during printing. A regular brass nozzle might falter against its rough nature. A smart move would be to switch to a hardened steel nozzle. A 0.6mm nozzle diameter might be the sweet spot, balancing print finesse and reduced wear.
Top Picks: Luminous Filament Recommendations
Hatchbox PLA Luminous Filament, available on Amazon, is an excellent choice for 3D printing enthusiasts. MGChemicals also offers a line of their Luminous Filament, which, according to reviews, shines incredibly bright. For those who have experimented with various brands, many vouch for Hatchbox PLA filament as the front-runner. The print temperature range is quite flexible, so a tad bit of tinkering might be needed. But once you hit that sweet spot, you’re in for a treat!