In this article we are going to analyze the filaments Stonefill a filament that seeks to imitate stone, HDGlass a filament Translucent, and EasyFill PLA Black from the Dutch manufacturer Formfutura.
At HWLIBRE we have already analyzed filaments from this manufacturer on previous occasions and we have been very satisfied. Let's see if the same thing happens this time and the filaments leave us such a good taste in our mouths.
For this review we have made the test prints using the printer B.Q. Hephestos that we have recently assembled for a article published in hardware libre. For the laminate of the pieces we have used once more CARE . If you are loyal fans of HWLIBRE you will know that it is our favorite laminating software.
FormFuture has begun to incorporate a practice sheet that in just 15 x15 cm collects all the right features to print with any of its filaments. An easy and simple help to have on hand. In any case, each filament continues to incorporate in the packaging all the necessary characteristics for a correct impression.
EasyFil PLA Black
EasyFil PLA It is a type of PLA (polylactic acid) filament optimized for FFF / FDM 3D printing technology. The manufacturer claims that in EasyFil PLA have modified the formulation of the filament to achieve more resistance, greater flexibility, better adhesion between layers than in a standard PLA filament. We have verified that the impressions obtained really have an exceptional quality and it shows that the impression is very uniform. It is also an extremely easy to print, by flowing in a very homogeneous way throughout the printing. We have also been able to verify that this material has very good adhesion to the printing base.
With the black filament we have achieved some very bright prints, of an intense black color and very well defined. The prints do not show any unevenness or material backflow. The filament before printing is more flexible than the materials of other manufacturers, we assume that due to the special formulation of the manufacturer in its manufacture.
It is a filament with which we can print with nozzles from 0.15mm diameter and, despite the manufacturer's recommendation of a layer height equal to or greater than 100 microns, we have been able to print perfectly with a 50 micron resolution.
La temperature Recommended printing is between 180º C and 220º C, we have verified that the material flows perfectly at both temperatures and despite the fact that in our case we do not have warm bed we have not been able to verify it, you can use this accessory with temperatures between 0º C and 60º C. Perhaps for very large and flat pieces it is useful, in our case we have not had any warping problem.
Es recommended to use ventilation, especially in the parts of the pieces in which the layers are small. Shrinkage can be used in the extruder.
La 750 gram spool has an approximate cost of 25€.
StoneFil Concrete
StoneFil is a filament based on PLA who has 50% stone powder added. In this way a filament with a density almost 40% higher than PLA standard. Printed objects have a matte finish very characteristic and the color can vary during printing looking for an effect similar to the gradient that we could find in the materials that it intends to imitate.
Despite the high content of non-PLA material it is still a material easy to print but we must use nozzles Of how minimum 0.4 mm in diameter and a printing temperature of between 200º and 240º. It is important to use ventilation and it can be used with a warm bed, although once again we did not need it.
This filament requires playing with the flow of matterl (even in some cases reaching values of 110%) until finding the balance between speed and the perfect fillor parts. In the first pieces that we have printed we had not noticed this detail and it can be observed that in some points it gives the feeling that there is a lack of filling, an effect emphasized by the irregular nature of the edges of the objects.
StoneFil by having a high concentration of stone dust may have an abrasive effect on the nozzle from our printer. Especially if it is made of brass.
Coil 500 grams It has an approximate cost of € 24.
HDglass - See Through Blue
HDglass is a high performance filament based on a material mix with PETG plastic. The result obtained is a filament, of high strength, high gloss and with good transparency. It is developed to have optimal thermal stability, a detail that translates into how easy it is to print with this material. The manufacturer ensures 90% transparency.
Despite containing PETG that is usually printed at temperatures high the special composition that the manufacturer has made in this filament allows us to print between 195º C and 225ºC without any problem. The manufacturer recommends using hot bed around 70º C but we have gotten very good results without using it.
Es recommended ventilation and how in the previous case to play with the material flow parameter. Printing at high speeds goes smoothly. The manufacturer proposes layer resolutions of 100 microns, but once again we have been able to print parts perfectly with a resolution of 50 microns.
Coil 500 grams has an approximate cost of 24€.
Conclusions
We had a material that imitates stone and a material that could imitate something like glass…. we could not resist the temptation to print the typical accessories of a board game. In this case, they are stone and energy portals to transport the characters from one point to another on the game board.
We have made the printing in 2 different pieces by having the proof printer with a single extruder but we have verified that the adhesion between different materials is exceptional So if you have a printer with multiple extruders, the creative possibilities are limitless.
Once again the manufacturer FormFuture has pleasantly surprised us with the great quality of its filaments. By making use of these filaments it becomes clear that they have designed with the goal that they are very easy to use. We have had no problem printing with them. At all times we have obtained pieces of an exceptional finish.
The reasonable price range the manufacturer prefers bet on quality that for the low price, choosing FormFutura filaments is a sure bet for success.
Did you like this analysis? Do you miss any additional evidence? Would you like us to continue analyzing the different filaments that are on the market? We will be attentive to the comments you leave us in the article.