PLA LX175 EX2 Tolerances Compared: Material Extrusion Report

Owned by Imagine That
Last updated: Dec 26, 2021
3 min read

PLA LX175 EX2 Tolerances Compared: Material Extrusion Report

We care about the materials we sell and the success of using our machines. This report was done with very extensive testing beyond what we typically do with the lab testing service we provide but a detailed processing report to give customers the best outcome, we hope that customers will take this and expand it. Work with faster settings, use additives, and get creative. 

These test settings are based on studies our new Laboratory and Engineering Assistant Jack Simpson did. All settings were verified on a separate EX2 with identical results. 

We also want customers to know that we will provide more test reports including the EX2.

 

NEW PRODUCT: PLA LX175 Processing Report

 

Material Extrusion Report

In House Testing. 

Test Technician: Jack Simpson 

Test Number: ET201014JS01, ET2001014JS02 (Spool 1 & Spool 2) & ET201015JS03 (Spool 1).  

Plastic Name: LX175

Plastic Grade: PLA

Manufacturer: Independent Plastics

Supplier: Filabot.

Additives: Not Applicable.

Material Form: Round Pellets, hard, white, small. 

Machine Used:  EX2.

 

Extrusion Test Report

Material preparation: Drying. 

Grinding: Not Applicable.

Drying: Yes, 175F/80C for 4 hours. 

Extrusion Setup:  Test Number: ET201014JS01

EX2

  • Temp: 165C

  • Speed: 90% 

  • Fan: Closed

  • Standard Nozzle 1.75mm 

Extrusion Setup:  Test Number: ET201014JS02

EX2

  • Temp: 167.5C

  • Speed: 90% 

  • Fan: Closed

  • Standard Melt Filter Nozzle 2.3mm

Extrusion Setup:  Test Number: ET201015JS03

EX2

  • Temp: 175C

  • Speed: 90% 

  • Fan: Closed

  • 2X Melt Filter Nozzle 1.75mm 

*Airpath

  • With Magnet Guides (5)

Spooler

  • Drive Speed: Mid

  • Traverse Speed: (4)

  • Filameasur with SPC unit.

*Airpath was 1in away from the EX2 nozzle. The Airpath and Spooler were 18inches apart. For all tests. 

Extrusion Results: 

With the above settings 1pt75mm filament with a tolerance of +/- 0.05mm was generated. The first test with the Standard Nozzle and the second test with the Standard Melt Filter provided the best results for filament production. 

Notes on EX2: Machine was more than capable of extruding the material once in the correct range. The material flowed without issue and was very easy to clean. 

Notes on Cleanup: It is very important that the material has been completely purged from the EX2 before using a lower temperature polymer. Failure to do so will result in inconsistent filament. 

Further Research: Next steps will be taken to see how this polymer performs at 2.85mm with a +/-0.05mm tolerance; then we will test this polymer with different additives for compatibility. 

Same steps will be provided for EX6 performance.

 

Graphs

Graph 1: Test ET201014JS01_STNozzle. Was able to run consistently for 1hour within spec of 1.75mm. The time stamp ‘14:46:00’ to ‘14:48:00’ was before the material was on the spool. Tick marker ‘15:48:00’ was when the test concluded.

 

Graph 2: Test ET201014JS02_STMFNozzle. Was able to run consistently for 30min within spec of 1.75mm before concluding the test. The time stamp ‘17:19:00’ to ‘17:24:00’ was us tuning the drive of the spooler once the polymer was on the spool. Tick marker ‘17:26:00’ can be noted that there was a high peek of 2.09mm. When testing we could not identify the marker on the filament.

 

Graph 2: Test ET201015JS03_2XMFNozzle. Was able to run consistently for 30min within spec of 1.75mm before concluding the test. The time stamp ‘13:58:00’ to ‘the end’ was the end of the testing/removal of spool.