ePLA-LW is a premium, lightweight PLA 3D printer filament, ideal for creating durable yet lightweight parts. Perfect for enthusiasts and professionals alike, it is especially suited for DIY model airplanes, drones, and cosplay props, offering excellent strength without the weight.

Print Settings:

eSun ePLA-ST
Diameter 1.75mm2 ±0.03
Print Temp 190-210ºC (please read description)
Hot bed 30-50ºC (optional)
Printing Speed: 25mm/s – 60mm/s
Fan: ON

Direct Drive:
Retraction Distance: 3mm
Retraction Speed: 40mm/s
Indirect Drive:
Retraction Distance: 6mm
Retraction Speed: 60mm/s

Drying Settings: 55˚C for 6h
(Only if the material has absorbed moisture)

Surface: Masking paper, PVP solid glue, glass board, carbon fibre board, PEI

What is the difference between active foaming and passive foaming?

PolyLite™ LW-PLA is not an active foaming filament, which means it will not foam when extruded from the nozzle depending on the temperature. PolyLite™ LW-PLA is already pre-foamed.

What are the pros and cons between active and passive foaming?

Active foaming:
You need to heavily modify your printing settings depending on the temperature and setup to compensate the foaming expansion of the material when printing.
You need to print at very high temperature to achieve light weight results (~250˚), these high temperatures will create a lot of defects on the print such as stringing and blobs.
At very high temperature, active foaming can achieve lighter print than passive foaming however the print may suffer of serious stringing defects.

Passive foaming:
You do not need to change any settings from your regular PLA settings (slight increase retraction) as PolyLite™ LW-PLA will offer light weight results even when printing at very low temperature (~190˚C).
The lower the temperature the higher quality the print.

PolyLite™ LW-PLA is designed for ease of print and strong rigidity. For more information check out the review below about PolyLite™ LW-PLA for RC Plane application.