The world of 3D printing continues with its innovation, and Silk PLA has become one of the main proponents of its success. This form of PLA is being used in both personal and professional projects. Many hobbyists and professionals want a glossier, reflective look, which is why Silk PLA best suits their needs.
Many common filament types like PETG or ABS are often used to create rough and tough materials when it comes to their surfaces, but with Silk PLA, you will most likely be looking to create a smoother print.
But once you have decided that you want to go with Silk PLA, how exactly do you use it in professional 3D printing projects?
Let’s find out.
What is Silk PLA Filament?
Silk PLA filament is one of the popular PLA variants. When printed, it creates a glossy-looking final result. This makes it perfect for creating objects that need a shinier look compared to matte or other surfaces.
The look resembles silk or polished metal and is one of the perfect filament types for display pieces, decorative items, and other professional products. Many companies use Silk PLA to create their products, but why exactly is that?
Well, the main appeal of Silk PLA goes above and beyond its soothing aesthetics. But at this point, you might wonder why it entices the professional industry so much. The first reason is how good the objects or items printed from Silk PLA look.
All you need are your 3D printing essentials, and you’re good to go. This brings us to a very important reason: compatibility. Silk PLA is usually compatible with and works well with most FDM printers available on the market.
Moving onto the results side, Silk PLA provides a glossier finish, adding profound depth and a sense of aesthetics to the final product. However, you will get all these benefits if you choose the suitable PLA filament.
That’s where the importance of a suitable Silk PLA, like Chitu Systems, comes in. They have many unique Silk PLA options that you can use to take your printing game to the next level. Moreover, if you enjoy multi-color filaments, a wide array of products are also available.
The Right Projects for Silk PLA
Silk PLA is perfect for projects involving shininess and beauty in general. On the other hand, people usually avoid creating products such as mechanical parts and heavy-duty applications.
So, a question arises. What exactly can you create with Silk PLA? Silk PLA is perfect for creating figurines, sculptures, and architectural models. Moreover, in cases where the model must be visually pleasing, Silk PLA will always be a high priority.
It can not only make the product look better, but the glossier finish also gives it a nicer feel. But there’s one market that has been getting the most benefit from Silk PLA, and that is custom items.
With Silk PLA, you can create custom-designed items, including figurines, awards, and home decor products, thanks to the glossier look. But how exactly do you use an excellent type of filament to print professionally?
The Printing Process with Silk PLA
When it comes to the printing process, you must ensure that you’re properly planning for the right print quality. For example, some of the most common issues that we see with Silk PLA’s wrong printing is warping, stringing, or even poor adhesion on the 3D printer, which makes your product ultimately fall off.
Here’s a complete guide to getting ready to print with Silk PLA:
- Setting the Nozzle: The first step is to check the nozzle size for ideal 3D printing with Silk PLA. For example, Chitu System’s Conjure Silk Rainbow PLA Filament works best with a 0.4mm nozzle size, which is almost standard in all PLA filaments. To save you some time, you should always check if the nozzle you’re getting is actually compatible with your 3D printer.
- Heating Bed: Even though a heating bed is not necessary for Silk PLA, it provides a great foundation for your 3D printing. The Silk PLA even sticks to surfaces like glass or PEI sheet without the use of additional adhesives, which could actually prove to be fatal in some cases.
- Bed Leveling: When it comes to Silk PLA, it can be a victim of stringing, which is why a properly leveled bed is quite important to avoid any consistencies or poor adhesion. So, you should always take that into consideration.
Aside from that, you also need to take care of the filament itself. Make sure to put it in a dry box, preferably in a box with Silica Gel. Then, you also have to make sure that the 3D printing extruder’s temperature is ample. Silk PLAs usually print the best between 200–230°C, but it varies with the manufacturer that you’re using.
Once you have all these pieces into play, you can easily get your journey started with your first print. Whether you’re a hobbyist who is looking to do a personal project or a professional who is doing his best to print high-quality products, Silk PLA is one of the best ways to print aesthetically pleasing items.
Final Verdict
Choosing the right Silk PLA filament is the most important thing you need to do in order to get the best possible results. For that purpose, you should choose a brand like Chitu Systems that comes with a vast connection to everything from 3D printing to high-quality materials that could take your printing journey to the next level.
