BALCO HE180021 Instruction Manual - page 24

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3.3 Filament

The Balco 3D Printer Touch uses high quality PLA and ABS filaments. Only use quality Balco 

filaments as using generic filaments may damage your 3D Printer Touch, affect the print quality 

and may void your warranty. Extra filament including multiple colours and types are available from 

the online store at balcolifestyle.com.

For beginners, we recommend using PLA materials as they are easy to print and does not 

produce fumes when printing. Before using other types of filaments, ensure you understand the 

advantages and disadvantages of other filaments and their proper usage.

3.3.1 Filament Types 

Filament Type

PLA

ABS

PVA

HIPS

Extruder Temp:

215ºC

240ºC

175ºC

240ºC

Heat Bed Temp

60ºC

90ºC

50ºC

60ºC

Official Name:

Polyactic Acid

Acrylonitrile 

Butadiene Styrene

Polyvinylv Alcohol High Impact 

Polystyrene

Printing Level:

Basic

Advanced

Advanced

Advanced

Advantages:

•  Bioplastic

•  Non-Toxic

•  Less warping 

issues

•  Hard or soft/

flexible variants

•  High print 

speed

•  Smooth finish

•  Durable

•  Ideal for 

mechanical 

parts

•  Water soluble

•  Non-Toxic

•  Lightweight

•  Cost effective

•  Dissolvable in 

Limonene

Disadvantages:

•  Low heat 

resistance

•  Easier to break 

than ABS

•  Requires 

thicker walls 

than ABS

•  Petroleum-

based

•  Non-

biodegradable

•  Heated Print 

Bed required

•  Fumes when 

printing

•  Sunlight 

deterioration

•  Sensitive to 

high heat.  

Do not heat 

over 190C

•  Only available 

in white

Finishing:

•  Sanding 

possible

•  Limited gluing

•  Easy sanding

•  Easily soluble in 

acetone

•  Gluing Only

•  Gluing Only

Alternative types of PLA

These PLA Alternatives require advanced knowledge of the 3D Printer Touch. Please visit  

balcolifestyle.com for details of filament types and parameters. 

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