Many users of FDM 3D printers are worried about whether there is a way to solve the problem of curling during the ABS printing process. With this question in mind, the author will share with you some solutions that I have adopted when facing this kind of problem.
1. What is ABS printing consumables
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a common plastic around us. The Lego bricks we often see are made of ABS materials. Its characteristics have high strength and good heat resistance, not only that, ABS also has a good surface finish. ABS reacts to acetone, so it is much easier to polish and polish the surface of ABS with acetone.
2, the common problem faced by ABS printing-edge warping
Although ABS has high strength and good heat resistance, it may encounter a problem when printing, that is, it is difficult to make it stick to the printing bed, so that a part of the printing may appear side-curved. This is printing ABS often encounters a problem, but it is not impossible to solve it. The author will also share this solution to the majority of users.
3. Why does ABS consumables appear to be warped?
First of all, before explaining how to deal with ABS printing edge curling, let’s first understand why ABS has edge curling.
When ABS consumables are heated in the extruder, they have a tendency to expand. Once in a molten state, the plastic is deposited layer by layer on the build platform. When the molten plastic cools and solidifies, it will also shrink. Several layers began to cool down after printing and began to shrink, causing it to peel off from the build platform, causing edge warping.
4, how to solve the problem of edge warping in the printing of ABS consumables
1. Control the heating temperature of the extruder
ABS melts between 210 and 250°C. Unless specified by the manufacturer, you should be able to use temperature settings within this range. The author’s printer uses a temperature of 235°C to print, and the effect is quite good.
If you run the extruder too hot, you will find a lot of wire drawing between the part walls. If you run too cold, you may find that it is not squeezed enough to print. Of course, the temperature required by different machines is still a bit biased, which requires you to keep trying different temperatures to sum up your experience.
2. Control the temperature of the heating bed
Controlling the temperature of the heating bed is the key factor to solve the model warping, so it is very important to set the correct heating bed temperature. The temperature at which plastic changes from a solid to a molten liquid is called the glass transition temperature (Tg). You need to set the heated bed temperature above this point. For ABS, the glass transition temperature is 105°C, so it is sufficient to control the bed temperature at 110°C.
3. Slicing software settings
The slicer has a variety of settings, which can be adjusted according to your needs.
Edge and support: The edge and support options in the slicing software settings provide additional surface contact between the part and the base plate. This helps the edges or supports to be used as sacrificial additives when the first layer is bonded. In the case of warpage, the edges or supports will be affected, while other parts will remain in good condition.
First layer height: It may be beneficial to have a thicker first layer because it increases surface contact and holds the model firmly in place. A standard rule of thumb is to set the first layer to 150% of the regular layer height.
First layer speed: The printing speed of the first layer should be reduced to about 70% of the actual printing speed. This is especially useful when your parts have sharp corners, which tend to peel off when the hot end moves at higher speeds.
4. Other solutions
Windshield: Windshield is also a solution to warping edges. With a windshield, it is helpful to maintain a constant temperature environment. This is a single thick wall surrounding the part, which prevents air from venting and speeds up the drying of the printed area.
Cooling fans: Cooling fans are a good complement to 3D printers because they can generate a lot of airflow around the nozzles and quickly cool the plastic. However, this can have a negative effect when printing the first few layers. Before opening, be sure to turn off the fans on the first 5 to 10 floors.
Use adhesives: There is another effective method in terms of anti-curling edge, which is to use adhesives, such as solid glue, textured paper, etc. The adhesive can be directly applied to the hot bed platform to help the printing consumables stick to the platform smoothly.
Of course, different 3D printers, in different printing environments, will cause ABS printing to appear curled. In life, in addition to summing up by yourself, consulting professionals will often play a multiplier role. If you have other problems in this area, you may wish to consult the professionals of Chuangxiang3D.
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Link to this article：3D printer printing warped edge solution
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