German bioplastics compounding specialist FKuR Kunststoff (Willich; www.fkur.de) and 3D printing filaments provider Helian Polymers (Venlo / The Netherlands; www.helianpolymers.com) are cooperating on the development of PLA blends for 3D printing.

The initial results and applications of this collaboration will be shown at this year’s “Composites Europe” (www.composites-europe.com) trade fair, to be held in Düsseldorf / Germany from 7 to 9 October – see Plasteurope.com of 07.08.2014. Live 3D printing of natural fibre reinforced bioplastics will be demonstrated at the fair.

Bioplastics such as PLA are particularly suitable for the fused deposition modelling (FDM) process, as they have a relatively narrow melt window at low temperatures, FKuR said. The low processing temperature results in easier control of the printer and simplifies the regulation of the printing process. When compared to conventional ABS, which is generally used currently, the printing accuracy is also improved, the company claims, and there is no release of styrene vapour. The companies’ PLA-based filament formulations also optimise product quality, overcoming the brittleness and low impact strength of unmodified PLA.

Helian supplies filaments in a wide variety of colours under the “colorFabb” brand (www.colorfabb.com). The range includes recently developed design materials reinforced with natural fibres in the “woodFill Fine” and “BambooFill” lines. These two wood fibre reinforced grades enable the manufacture of components with a wood appearance and distinctive feel.