Does anyone know where I can get (small quantities) of PLA powder? I’m going to start playing with the idea of a powder-based 3d printer and I need some small quantities to start experimenting
PLA powder? What in the world would you use as a binder for such a thing? Why not ABS? (I’m interested in procuring ABS powder for some experiments as well…uninterested in making it myself)
I was thinking on using a laser, I don’t know if it’s practical or even possible, just wanted to play with the idea 
AFAIK, PLA has a lower glass-transition temperature1 than ABS2, which I might achieve using lower power lasers.
I know that there are some experiments using ABS powder and a binder, using inkjet printer headers to inject the binder, but I wanted to try something in the line of a SLS.
The hygroscopic nature of PLA will make it quite a complex task to keep the powder dry and to work with it. You should keep that in mind.
Check out http://open3dp.me.washington.edu/category/formulas/ for powder recipes. They mostly use liquid binders.
a blender.
@John_Ecker_GeoDroidJ I am really interested in your suggested approach. I’ve seen nuts basically turned to powder in a blender, but I’m a little hesitant to try abs or pla… I wish to subscribe to your newsletter =P
I thought about the blender, but my guess is that approach would led to non-uniform particles. I found this paper http://www.faculty.ait.ac.th/pisut/A-Cube/members/thittikorn/PLA%20powder.pdf - I haven’t completely read it through, and the approach is far from easy, but I think it’s doable.
I also emailed a few companies selling PLA powder. If any of those get back, I’ll update this post.
Perhaps a burr grinder would do. As long as it doesn’t get too hot it should create a uniform powder. The print area would have to be kept dehumidified too