Every Moodest9 lamp is 3D-printed from plastic filament: a thin strand of plastic on a spool, which the printer melts and lays down layer by layer. We use two kinds, PETG and PLA. This article explains what they are and which lamp is made of which.
What is PETG?
PETG is a close relative of PET, the plastic used for drinks bottles. The G stands for glycol, which is added so that the material stays clear instead of turning cloudy. Printed in a thin wall, PETG lets light through. That is what makes the body of a lamp glow.
What is PLA?
PLA stands for polylactic acid. It is made from plant starch, usually from corn or sugar cane, and it is the most widely used filament in 3D printing. It prints with sharp detail and comes in a wide range of colours.
Which lamp is made of which?
Edge, Fluid and Hourlight are printed from PETG. Endless is printed from PETG and PLA. The material of each lamp is listed under Product Details on its page and in its spec sheet.
Where and how are the lamps printed?
All of them are printed in our studio in Zagreb, on Creality K1 Max printers. One lamp takes about six to seven hours. Each lamp is printed to order, then assembled, checked and shipped by us. The steps are described in From Blender file to finished lamp.
Why can I see lines on the surface?
Those are layer lines, the marks the printer leaves as it builds the lamp one thin layer at a time. We leave them on purpose. They are part of the design, and they show that the lamp was 3D-printed. More about that in Why we keep the layer lines on our lamps.
How do I look after a printed lamp?
Unplug the lamp first. Then wipe it with a lightly damp cloth. A little soap helps with a stubborn mark.
Will you use other materials?
For now we use PETG and PLA. As our work develops, we will start introducing other materials.