Why we print farm parts in PETG, not PLA

People ask what printer we use. The better question is what plastic. For parts that live in a tractor cab or a service truck, filament choice matters more than anything else.

The problem with PLA

PLA is the most common 3D printing plastic. It is easy to print and looks great on a desk. But it starts to soften at a temperature a closed cab can easily hit on a sunny day. A cup holder that sags on the dashboard is not much use.

Why PETG

• Handles heat. PETG stays firm at cab and dashboard temperatures where PLA starts to give.
• Tough, not brittle. It flexes a little before it cracks, which matters when a part gets bumped, kicked or dropped.
• Shrugs off cold. It holds up through Ontario winters in an unheated shop or a truck parked outside.
• Stands up to the stuff we hold. Grease, spray cans and shop chemicals are everyday life for these parts.

When we use something else

For custom jobs that need more heat or impact resistance, we can run other materials. Tell us what the part has to do and we will pick the right one.

Printing our files yourself? Use PETG. See our print files.