A high-quality 3D printing filament is key to successful 3D printing, whether you are a beginner or an experienced maker. SUNLU 3D printer filament is widely acclaimed for their high-performance. One of star products is undoubtedly PLA Meta filament. This article showcases why SUNLU PLA Meta has become a popular choice. SUNLU PLA Meta deserves a spot on your shopping list next time you look for 3D printing materials.
Part 1: Brief Introduction of SUNLU PLA META
What is SUNLU PLA Meta? SUNLU PLA Meta has undergone modifications based on PLA material. It has optimal properties for most FDM 3D printers and printing needs. With a diameter of 1.75mm, it ensures a smooth and consistent feeding experience. Also, it is beginner-friendly. It only requires a heated build plate at 50 to 60°C and a nozzle temperature of 185 to 195°C, promoting energy conservation and reduces printer depreciation, thereby optimizing its longevity. It has minimal shrinkage and odor, allowing you to print large models with fine details. Moreover, rigorous drop tests have demonstrated an approximately twofold increase in impact resistance in comparison to current PLA and PLA+ counterparts. And don’t forget the rich color selection which sparks your creativity. In summary, the easy printability, superior properties, wide color options and high cost-performance ratio make SUNLU PLA Meta filament an ideal choice for most 3D printing applications.
Where is “Meta” from? The phrase “Meta” was inspired by the “Metaverse” which had been incredibly popular in recent years. We selected the first four letters of “Metaverse”-Meta as its name, aiming to address the issues of clogging and stringing from the source material, improve printing quality, and usher in a new era of PLA.
Part 2: Main Features and Parameters
SUNLU filaments are well-known for its exceptional performance and PLA meta is no exception. SUNLU's proprietarily formulated PLA Meta possesses performance virtues incomparable to other generic PLA materials, even PLA+. Its printing temperature is as low as 185-195°C. Plus, PLA Meta boasts a Elongation at break of 17% while that of PLA and PLA+ is 3.1% and 3.6%, which is unparalleled in the PLA family.
In addition, PLA Meta demonstrates preeminent melt fluidity, enabling 3D printers to achieve an ultra-fine layer resolution of 0.2mm. This is primarily attributable to PLA Meta's unique molecular chain architecture, which confers its melt phase with a state of fluidity. We have thereby unlocked the potential for 3D printers to operate at ascended speeds and enhanced precisions.
Also, PLA Meta has secured certifications from the FDA and CE, is devoid of BPA and VOCs, and is thus safer and more eco-friendly.
Plus, we furnish PLA Meta with a multiplicity of color variations and personalized customization propensities. The odorless properties of PLA Meta also render it tremendously promising for decorative and aesthetic model applications.
Part3: SUNLU PLA META vs PLA+
PLA+ is commonly used as an alternative to regular PLA filament. Different companies offer several types of PLA+ with varying properties. However, the recommended nozzle temperatures for printing all PLA+ are higher than standard PLA. In contrast, the printing temperature for SUNLU PLA Meta filament is lower than regular PLA. This is the unique advantage of SUNLU PLA Meta. Now, let us explore the pros and cons of PLA Meta compared to PLA+.
1.Advantages
- Superior fluidity of PLA Meta can achieve an ultra-fine layer thickness of 0.2mm and a smoother surface, more suitable for printing complex and intricate components.
- Superior fluidity also make it more compatible with high speed 3d printing.
- Lower thermal expansion coefficient and higher dimensional stability of PLA Meta can maximize the precision and shape consistency of prints.
- Exceedingly improved elongation at break makes it tougher and more resilient than PLA+, enabling its high performance in applications that may be subjected to large strains, impacts, or delamination.
- It offers a variety of standard colors and custom color options, with many more choices than PLA+.
2.Disadvantages
- Higher cost. PLA Meta is more expensive than SUNLU PLA+（lowe than most PLA+）, as modified high-performance materials. This may limit their application in some cost-sensitive areas.
- PLA+ has a better performance in mechanical strength and rigidity, which represents heightened strength and stable shape retention. It is more suitable for circumstances where the shape of the printed object needs to remain stable under a high load.
Part4. High Speed Printing
In terms of printing temperature, PLA Meta also owns its unique advantage with that of as low as 185-195°C, which is an impressive and significant improvement compared to that of 210-230°C of PLA+, and thus PLA Meta takes on better melt fluidity at same printing temperature, facilitating better extrusion stability in 3D printers at a higher printing speed. Moreover, the utilization of thinner layer thickness becomes feasible, due to a lower minimum extrusion temperature, enabling the efficient extrusion and precise deposition of thinner layers, such as 0.2mm, even at elevated printing speeds. The adoption of thinner layer thicknesses can significantly enhance printing resolution and surface quality, a crucial aspect, especially in high-speed printing. Also, it enables expedited heating and cooling capabilities. By lowering the minimum extrusion temperature, the 3D printer reduces the time required to heat the build volume and nozzle to working temperature. This advancement enables the printer to achieve rapid temperature regulation responses and accelerated heating and cooling rates, thereby optimizing the efficiency of high-speed printing. And the thermal expansion coefficient. With PLA Meta, which has a lower thermal expansion coefficient, the 3D printer experiences reduced thermal expansion effects owing to the temperature increases during high-speed printing. This advancement leads to heightened precision in prints produced at high speeds and enhances their overall shape stability.
Plus, thanks to its lower printing temperature, SUNLU PLA Meta exceeded the limit of 250mm/s. We took a small test of using PLA Meta to print objects on the P1P of Bambu Lab. The test showed that under the normal mode of P1P, the printing quality remains ideal regardless of whether the extrusion temperature is set at 185°C, 190°C or 195°C. Under the sports mode, the same result is achieved.
The surface is smooth
Part5: Tips of 3D Printing
Achieving proper print settings is essential for high-quality 3D prints. In this part, we will explore the recommended print parameters for SUNLU PLA Meta filament, including temperature settings, retraction suggestions, and support considerations. By following these guidelines, you can unlock the full potential of SUNLU PLA Meta and ensure exceptional print results.
1.Build volume Temperature:
For SUNLU PLA Meta, it is recommended to set the build volume temperature between 50℃ and 65℃. This ensures proper adhesion to the surface and minimizes the risk of warping or detachment during printing.
2.Retraction Settings:
Retraction plays a crucial role in reducing stringing and oozing during printing. For SUNLU PLA Meta, we provide the following retraction suggestions:
For models with dense and closely spaced infill:
a.Retraction distance: 5~8mm
b.Retraction speed: 45~50mm/s
For models with less dense and widely spaced infill:
a.Retraction distance: 10~13mm
b.Retraction speed: 50~60mm/s
Fine-tuning these retraction settings based on your specific printing conditions can help minimize stringing and improve the overall print quality.
3.Support:
When using SUNLU PLA Meta with multiple extruders, PVA or HIPS can be used as support materials. For printers with a single extruder, it is recommended to adjust the support Z-axis gap to 0.35~0.38mm. Fine adjustments can be made by increasing or decreasing the gap by 0.05mm to achieve optimal support removal without compromising print quality.
By following these print parameter recommendations, you can unlock the full potential of SUNLU PLA Meta filament. Optimizing temperature settings, implementing appropriate retraction values, and considering support requirements will help you achieve exceptional print quality and minimize issues such as stringing or warping. Experimentation and adjustment based on your specific printer and model requirements may be necessary to fine-tune the settings for optimal results. With SUNLU PLA Meta, you can elevate your 3D printing projects to new levels of precision and quality.
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