Stringing is a typical 3D printing drawback that may be annoying if you need high quality outcomes with out post-finishing. To resolve the basis of the issue, SUNLU got here in the marketplace with the primary AntiString PLA filament, an upgraded model of the common PLA filament.
Stringing happens primarily when the extruder strikes between two completely different places; throughout that transfer, the filament drips out of the nozzle. Should you print fashions which have a number of ups and downs as a consequence of stringing, it’ll seem like all the things is roofed in cobwebs. To test if the SUNLU APLA filament can eliminate the stringing issues with out tweaking with retraction and different parameters, I printed a few check fashions from Thingiverse.
Sunlus’ AntiString PLA is an possibility solely if you wish to print inflexible merchandise, however if you would like versatile components utilizing TPU or different related supplies, you have to to fine-tune machine parameters akin to retraction distance, retraction velocity, and nozzle temperature. Discovering the steadiness between cooling and heating can considerably scale back stringing. Printing at low velocity (underneath 50mm/s) can also be vital in eliminating stringing and different high quality points.
SUNLU APLA filament evaluate
Disclosure: I obtained these AntiString filaments in a product evaluate collaboration with SUNLU. Product specs and high quality could range in accordance with the producer’s reliability, so I can’t assure that you’re going to get the fabric that performs the identical as seen in my article.
Final week, SUNLU despatched me two spools of their newest “Antistring” PLA filaments (darkish gray and Gentle Blue). I just like the matte shade of each filaments. Black, Cream, and Gray choices are additionally obtainable. Each filaments had been packed in the identical kind of recycled cardboard field. SUNLU nonetheless makes use of plastic spools as a substitute of environment-friendly cardboard. Correctly, the filaments had been in hermetic vacuum baggage with small silica gel sachets inside. A filament holder clip can also be supplied within the field.
Really useful nozzle and mattress temperatures, shade, manufacturing batch identification, and serial quantity are labeled on the bobbin. An unopened spool weighs 1245 grams.
The diameter tolerance of the aPLA filament is +/- 0.02 mm. Throughout my assessments, I had no points with spool tangling or unwinding. The accuracy of the filament thickness is essential for good printing outcomes. The extrusion width will even change if the filament’s thickness modifications inside a spool, leading to an unpleasant 3D print.
SUNLU AntiString PLA: Efficiency and check outcomes
To check the SUNLU APLA filament’s efficiency and examine the outcomes with PLA Plus, I opted to print three stringing check fashions (a spiral and a column, three cones, and a calibration vase). Moreover, I printed a bionic hand artwork with a mesh sample.
As beneficial, printing settings for each PLA Plus and PLA Anti String filaments are an identical (210℃60℃), I used the identical g-code file to check the outcomes for each kinds of filaments. Each filaments had been freshly opened from their unique packaging. As you possibly can see within the comparability photograph beneath, the APLA filament is much less bushy than the PLA Plus filament. There’s nonetheless minor stringing, however not as a lot as utilizing PLA+.
My Neptune 4 Max 3D printer has a PEI sheet; till now, I didn’t want further glue. I seen that the AntiString PLA sticks lower than regular PLA to the sheet. One in every of my check prints failed as a result of the mannequin indifferent from the platform throughout printing.
Pricing, availability, and shade choices
Once I printed my evaluate, the SUNLU PLA Plus 3D filament was obtainable ranging from $20.99/kg with 5 shade choices. There are additionally obtainable 6KG bundles for a extra pleasant worth ($14.99/kg) – you possibly can mix colours as you want.
SUNLU APLA: Technical specs
| Mechanical proprieties | |
| Dimensional Accuracy | +/- 0.02mm |
| Elongation at Break | 9.6 (%) at 50mm |
| Younger’s Modulus | 4780 (MPa) |
| Bending Power | 61 (MPa) |
| Tensile Power | 50.5 (MPa) |
| Impression Power | 40 (J/m) |
| HDT | 0.45 (MPa) |
| 3D printing parameters | |
| Extruder Temperature | 205-215℃ |
| Plate temperature | 50-60℃ |
| Printing velocity | 50~100 mm/s |
| Retraction Distance | 5mm |
| Retraction velocity | 50mm/s |
Methods to take away stringing from 3D printed objects?
The SUNLU APLA isn’t good, and some wispy strings on the mannequin’s floor nonetheless have to be eliminated. Many of the filament residue might be eliminated manually with a knife or pliers. Utilizing sandpaper is one other method to take away stringing residue, particularly tiny protrusions that can’t simply be eliminated manually.
Many hobbyists use a hairdryer or warmth gun to take away the plastic residue, however I keep away from this system as a result of the warmth remedy may deform the 3D-printed object.
