What to do about warping?

Published: Monday, 13 September, 2024

PREVENT WARPING WITH SIMPLE TIPS

Warping is a common problem in 3D printing with materials such as ABS, HIPS, but also PLA and PETG. This effect causes parts of the print to bulge or even detach completely from the printing platform. Especially with components that require high precision, warping can render the entire print unusable. This article explains the causes and offers solutions to effectively prevent warping.

1. Choose the optimal location

The printer should be in a draught-free location to ensure optimal print quality. Avoid locations near windows, hallways or doors, as drafts can cool the print undesirably and cause deformation. Ideally, you should place the printer in a stable and temperature-controlled room that is free from sudden temperature changes. This will ensure that your printer can work consistently and that your prints are successful without distortion or adhesion problems.

2. Cleaning the printing plate

Warping can also be caused by a dirty printing plate. Therefore, make sure that your plate is always clean and free of fingerprints and grease. Regular cleaning of the printing plate is crucial to ensure optimal adhesion. Use suitable cleaning agents that do not leave residues and avoid direct contact of the fingers with the plate to prevent oils and dirt. This will ensure that your printed object adheres evenly and avoid deformation. A clean printing plate is a simple but important step towards better printing results.

3. Slicer settings

Reduce the print speed and lower the nozzle temperature to minimize the warp effect. A slower print speed ensures more even cooling and reduces stress in the material. At the same time, a lower nozzle temperature helps to process the filament in a more controlled manner and avoid deformation. Additionally, the use of rafts and brims can be helpful. A raft creates a solid base under your print, while a brim stabilizes the edges of the model and improves adhesion to the print bed.

4. High-quality filaments

High-quality filaments used according to the recommended application instructions achieve significantly better printing results and significantly reduce the risk of warping. Our own filament is made of premium materials specifically developed for 3D printing, thus offering consistent quality and reliability. By following our detailed recommendations regarding printing temperature, printing speed and other important parameters, you can minimize the likelihood of deformation and other printing errors. Our filaments ensure uniform melting and optimal adhesion, resulting in precise and stable printed objects.

5. 3D varnish

Another effective method to prevent warping is to use 3D varnish. This special adhesion promoter ensures that your printed object adheres securely to the printing plate. To do this, spray a thin layer of 3D varnish onto your freshly cleaned printing plate. The varnish forms an even, slightly sticky surface that significantly improves the adhesion of the filament during the printing process. This prevents the corners or edges of your model from lifting and creates optimal conditions for a successful print.

6. Adjust fan speed

Reduce the speed of the fan during the first few layers to prevent the lower layers from detaching from the print bed. By running the fan slower or turning it off completely during the first few print layers, the melted filament stays warm longer and adheres better to the print bed. This prevents the layers from cooling prematurely and thereby warping or detaching. However, it is important to ensure that the filament sets quickly enough to enable a precise and stable print structure. By finding the right balance between fan speed and filament cooling, you will achieve optimal printing results without warping.

Shop AMS suitable filament now

Cleaning filament