colorFabb PLA/PHA filament available in 1.75mm

[PrintedSolid]

Last week, I was able to get some samples of colorFabb PLA/PHA filament in 1.75mm and 3.0mm sizes.  This material was released this past Spring without some of the fanfare that typically seems to accompany anything even remotely new in 3D printing.  

The PHA toughens PLA but doesn't have a significant effect on the 'printability' of the material.  So, you get all of the good points of PLA such as easier adhesion to the bed / no heated bed required, minimal warpage, sharper corners, smoother surface, etc but without the drawback of brittleness of straight PLA.  

It's not a 'soft PLA'.  More of a 'slightly more flexible' PLA.  

As you might expect from a company called colorFabb, they do custom color compounding. I.e. you can have them match a color or pick from the pantone catalog.  This starts at a minimum of only 10 spools.  

A friend and I have tested it out on a different printers.  Makerbot Replicator 2 (stock configuration), Robo3D, Ultimaker, and a Printrbot Simple.  As claimed, 'printability' is about the same as a premium PLA (protoparadigm for example) but is noticeably more flexible with a higher elongation prior to break.  I have a rep1 that I will be testing it on one I finish some big ABS prints I have lined up.  It was also tested on a stock rep2X and clogged the nozzle just like regular PLA (as expected)

I've decided to go ahead and get in a test order of a limited number of spools for resale in the US only.  Not enough for bulk discount rates, but enough to see if others like this material as much as I do.  So, think of it as a group buy without gathering the group ahead of time :)  I will be reselling those spools at $39 for a 0.75 kg spool including shipping.  $35 if you happen to be able to meet me locally in Newark,DE.  

If you're interested in participating, send me a PM.  

I've put a bunch of pictures up on my blog at printedsolid.com.  Mostly prints off of my Ultimaker.  Here are a few my friend ran on the Replicator 2.  

Twisted 6-sided Vase Basic by MaakMijnIdee is licensed under the Creative Commons - Attribution - Share Alike license.

Signal Yellow at 100 micron layers

Here it is being flexed a little.

Here is a knot at 200 micron in Shining Silver.

[PrintedSolid]

oops.  forgot attribution on the knot

3D Knot (hi-res) by chylld is licensed under theBSD License license.

[JohnD]

It's nice stuff, and that's a decent price, but I prefer protoparadigm.  Are you importing any of the large rolls?

[Matthew Gorton]

Right now I'm only bringing in a small sampling of the colors I have up on my blog in 0.75kg spools.  

The larger spools and the full line of colors are certainly an option in the future.  

No doubt that protoparadigm is among the better premium PLA choices available in the US (although I haven't tried the ToyBuilder's material yet!).  I'm actually using their material as a benchmark.  Cosmetically, they are very close.  The PLA/PHA printed part is noticeably more flexible and elongates quite a bit more prior to break.  This is less of an issue for the Makerbot, but for Bowden feeds, the retraction of the PLA/PHA is head and shoulder's superior.  

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Matthew Gorton

PrintedSolid.com

[JohnD]

Hmm, have to admit flexibility when printing was not super high on my list - and with 3mm I didn't really notice it.  I still have a few spools left, I'll have to pay more attention next time I print one!

[PrintedSolid]

You're missing the most unique property then :) 

Take a length of filament and try bending it.  See how far it bends before it breaks.   

The pictures below shows the results of attempting to bend 3mm PLA filament around the shaft of a screwdriver in a helical coil.  The pink is a premium PLA, orange is a bargain PLA, and the mint turquoise in the middle is colorFabb PLA/PHA.  

The two straight PLAs break quite a bit before they start to conform.  Thus, all the little broken pieces.

The PLA/PHA conforms and retains much of the shape.  

I also tried pushing it even further and bent it all the way back on itself.  Here is the result with the PLA/PHA.  Straight PLA resulted in only more broken filament.

Matthew Gorton

PrintedSolid.com

On Monday, August 19, 2013 4:44:12 AM UTC-4, JohnD wrote:

Hmm, have to admit flexibility when printing was not super high on my list - and with 3mm I didn't really notice it.  I still have a few spools left, I'll have to pay more attention next time I print one!

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[Harrison Valner]

Really looking good PrintedSolid, this looks really cool!

[JohnD]

Hmmm - what's your ambient temperature, and are you seeing this after the objects are printed?  I did a *lot* of testing on the ColorFabb filament, and did not notice a large degree of difference w/regard to flexibility on the printed models - but was not looking for it either....

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!searchin/trinitylabs-talk/color$20fabb/trinitylabs-talk/X0oXCwcIqKg/cp-gtOT49UcJ

[PrintedSolid]

Those tree frogs look really nice!  

I wasn't trying anything funny with the ambient temperatures to try to trick anyone or anything like that.  I got your message and went down to my shop to break filament and post pics :)  I would guess it was about 75F.  RH is controlled at 45 +/-5, but temperature is looser.  

Yes, I definitely see a difference in flexibility and elongation prior to break.  Qualitatively, everyone I showed the stretchy bracelets run on my Ultimaker to agreed that the colorFabb was more flexible.  

I'll run some dogbones  and post  a link to pics and video.  Will try to either get access to a tensile tester or do a cantilever test with a pull scale.  

[Clinton Hoines]

I just received my shipment of ColorFabb last night, Very Nice stuff.
It is indeed far more flexible than the standard cheaper PLA , only slightly more flexible than the Makerbot filament that I have on had (Orange) Print wise it's fantastic IMO. I did one calibration cube at pretty much my standard PLA settings only changing retract (Bowden on a Delta) and lowered the temp 5deg. Best infill and top layer I have ever printed with any PLA so far, very pleased. I did a 7 hour print last night that worked out perfect or close too. :)

[JohnD]

Ha - no worries - as I said, I wasn't testing for flexibility! ;-)  The addition of the PHA lowers the glass transition temp of the PLA, and seems to make it print "easier" to me, and I tended to print it a bit cooler than Diamond Age or Faberdashery as a point of reference.

If you have time to do a stress test, that would really be interesting.  I was looking around earlier, and the only thinks I have printed in ColorFabb plastic are pretty solid prints - a rocketship and a couple of really solid vases, both translucent - on red, one green..

If you have time, try comparing the translucent to the solid - I ended up with a lot of their Red and Green translucents, so that's what we have printed the most of outside of samples.

I'll have to print a stretchlet tonight!

[JohnD]

[PrintedSolid]

The transparent colors are straight PLA.  I haven't tried it yet, but I assume the only benefit there is the color selection and the process control on the diameter.  

That vase is also beautiful.  

[PrintedSolid]

I've been procrastinating on responding here, but it turns out I no longer have after hours access to the mechanical test lab I was planning on using : ( 

If anyone does have open access to a test lab and wants to do some experimenting, send me a message.  

On another note, for anyone that also has a 3mm machine, I learned that the XT (not PLA/PHA) can be vapor polished and solvent welded.  Not quite the same effect as ABS, but cool nonetheless!

http://www.printedsolid.com/vapor-polishing-colorfabb-xt/

[3DwannaB]

I also have a colorfabb spool of PLA/PHA. My spool of traffic red behaves more like ABS yet has the advantages of PLA. No curling or need for a HBP. Slightly more flexible, yet it seems to meet the higher tolerances PLA does. Prints easy using the same settings as regular PLA. Major thumbs up IMO. If I had a choice I'g go ALL Colorfabb PLA/PHA.

On Sunday, August 18, 2013 10:16:43 AM UTC-7, PrintedSolid wrote:

[David Clunie]

I'm confused is all of the filament at printedsolid.com the PLA/PHA? I see where it says "soft touch elongation, etc..." but nothing where it flat out states its a PLA/PHA mix.  I'm always looking for new filaments and colors to try out and add to my collection, especially if it can be printed in a 2x, and the statement indicated that it prints more like ABS with the properties of PLA has be interested but need a definitive answer.  $39 bucks for less than 1 kg is just a bit/tic on the pricy side, but still has me interested in a spool or two or three ;)  hehe.

[PrintedSolid]

Thanks to 3DwannaB for the kind words.  

David Clunie, yes, as of Today all filament on the site is PLA/PHA, also referred to as 'soft touch'.  I'll get that cleaned up so it's more apparent.  As colorFabb adds more new materials, we'll add those as well.  I'm particularly excited about the XT, but it's not available in 1.75 yet.  Will definitely post on here when it is.  

I also will be adding a FAQ page with some of my own experiences and questions that I've answered for others, but for now you can check out 

On your questions:

-It is essentially a toughened PLA.  The addition of the PHA toughens the material and increases elongation prior to break.  This seems to be more noticeable on some colors than others.  

-The PHA also makes the material more naturally opaque, so you don't need a lot of additives messing up the flow to get good vibrant opaque colors.  

-It prints at about the same temperature as PLA, has similar layer adhesion, bed adhesion, feature sharpness, etc.  

-Can it be printed on a rep2X?  My initial experiments said "NO".  Since then, I've learned that the machine I was using had some issues with it's nozzle.  I've been able to print small objects with it on a 2X.  I printed one of the shark chip clips.  I would say that if you've managed to get your 2X to print with high quality PLA, then you may do alright with the material as well.  I would put it in the experimental category for sure.  It prints very well on the rep1 and rep2.  I'm planning on attending makerfaire and will have samples for people at the 3D Printer Village, so if you'll be there, I can get you a short sample to try.  

-I consider it a specialty filament, but that price is comparable to MBI filament and I'm still offering the special with free shipping.  

Feel free to PM me anytime or submit a question through my site.  

[David Clunie]

Awesome, thanks for the answers.  I won't be attending makerfaire NY, as I'm in CA, and typically only attend the san mateo faire.  I think you've answered all of the questions that had so I think i'll order an initial spool or two for my testing purposes.  Thanks again for the straight forward candor of your answers!

-dc.