Tinkerine has announced an overhaul of its PLA 3D printing filament series. The company, which is behind the manufacture of the cost effective Litto 3D printer, the Ditto+ 3D printer which boasts a number of awards from Make Magazine including Runner Up in Best Value and Best Documentation and the DittoPro, has produced a new set of colours in their translucent Candy series and an entirely new set of opaque colours, named the Spring series.
The PLA filaments come in the standard slimmer feedstock width of 1.75 mm, a gauge that fits the Tinkerine DittoPro and Ditto+, as well as many other 3D printers. The new PLA is made from corn starch, and the company goes to great length to emphasise the ecological benefits of the material, saying: ‘We know that committing to a greener way of doing business is what will help us serve more and more consumers over time.’
Each spool of the PLA Filament comes in quality (not biodegrable) packaging, with the size and colour clearly labelled on the outside. The Tinkerine Filament Spring Series includes the rather poetically named colours: Cherry Blossom, Sunset, Sunrise, Spring Shoots, Clear Sky and Lavender. While the Tinkerine Filament Candy Series includes: Plum, Soda, Matcha, Honey, Tangerine and Pomegranate. As an art and design student years ago I became accustomed to purchasing paints and other materials with a traditional name and standard colour grade. Oh for the days where sky blue was not ‘mega summers day sky’ and process magenta (the pink tone you’d find in a 2D printer) was not called ‘ultra luscious paradise sunset whilst drinking tequila in your dream holiday destination+ now with extra+’ But I’m probably just a bit old fashioned.
There are a lot of companies producing FFF/FDM 3D printer filament now. Tinkerine produces quality products. USD$44.99 is slightly above the average cost. I have oodles of filament suppliers bookmarked on my web browser arranged by cost order. This places Tinkerines filaments a bit above half way. Given the balance between quality and cost, the discount price seeking hobbyist may not be too interested, but these quality filaments will likely appeal to users who sell their 3D prints.
