PLA is undoubtedly the most popular material in the field of 3D printing, especially for users of consumer-grade FDM printers. PLA is easy to use, inexpensive, and has good performance. The printing temperature is generally 180-230 °C. Understanding the use of PLA and setting the right temperature is a crucial step, which will affect the success rate and print quality of FDM 3D printing. In this guide, we will explore the temperature parameters of PLA filament, and how to set and adjust the best PLA printing temperature. Mastering these skills will be of great help to improve the surface smoothness, inter-layer adhesion of your 3D prints.
- Melting Temperature of PLA
- Nozzle Temperature of PLA
- Hot Bed Temperature of PLA
- Best Temperature Settings for PLA
- Common Factors Affecting PLA Temperature
- Method to Set Best Temp for PLA
What is the Melting Temperature of PLA?
Melting temperature is the temperature at which the printing material changes from solid to liquid. The melting point of PLA is 180 °C, which is an important parameter in determining the printing temperature of the filament. The printing temperature of PLA is generally 180-230 °C. When the FDM 3D printer is running, the filament is fed into the hot end, where the PLA is heated up to the set printing temperature and then extruded through the nozzle and deposited onto the hot bed. If the temperature falls below 180 °C, it may cause the problem of insufficient extrusion from the printer, and the PLA will not adhere properly to the heated bed or the previous layer of material.
Nozzle Temperature and Hot Bed Temperature for PLA
To avoid the problem of PLA not sticking to the bed and optimize the quality of printing, adjusting and setting the appropriate PLA printing temperature is an important step. With this, you will have a better grasp of the use of popular 3D printing materials. But before we optimize the settings, it's best to figure out what PLA print temperature, nozzle temperature, hot bed temperature and all that information.
Nozzle Temperature for PLA: The printing temperature of PLA usually refers to the temperature set for the nozzle. The nozzle temperature determines the temperature at which the material is melted and extruded. Its setting is generally between 180-230°C.
Hot Bed Temperature for PLA: The hot bed temperature mainly affects the adhesion of the initial layer. Setting the hot bed temperature at the right level will help prevent warping of the first layer. When printing PLA, the heat bed temperature is usually set to 50°C to 60°C. Usually when printing large 3D models, a higher heating bed temperature (65-70°C) is required to improve the printing success rate.
Optimal Printing Temperature Settings for PLA Filament
How to set the best printing temperature for PLA filament? Finding the optimal printing temperature usually requires experimentation, because temperature control will be affected by a variety of factors. For example, when setting different layer heights, the optimal printing temperature is different; in low-temperature environments, a higher printing temperature is required, otherwise the fine layer adhesion will be affected under the action of the cooling fan.
Common factors affecting PLA printing temperature:
- Printing Speed. When you set a higher printing speed, you need to set a slightly higher PLA printing temperature to ensure that the material melts and flows well.
- Layer Height. With a finer layer height, PLA requires a relatively low print temperature, and the surface of the printed product is smooth. Setting the coarser layer height requires higher temperatures to ensure inter-layer adhesion.
- Ambient Temperature. Colder environments usually require higher printing temperatures. Enclosed FDM printers trap more heat and can lower the printing temperature when the ambient temperature is high.
- Cooling Fans. Cooling fans help FDM printers cool melted material quickly. When the print temperature is low and there is sufficient cooling, problems such as lack of heat and print delamination may occur.
- Brand and Quality of PLA filament. 3D printed products under the same conditions may have different printing effects due to changing filament brands.
After understanding these factors that affect printing temperature, it will become easier to adjust the temperature of PLA according to printing needs. A common method to find the optimal PLA printing temperature is to set the test printing temperature to 200°C and make small adjustments, increasing or decreasing it by 5°C at a time, to meet your printing needs. This can not only be used to optimize the quality of 3D prints, but also facilitate locating and solving printing problems.
In Conclusion: Best Settings for PLA Filament
Setting the right PLA printing temperature and adjusting it according to your needs is the best solution for 3D printing and has many benefits. Optimizing the nozzle printing temperature can improve the adhesion between layers and improve the quality of 3D prints. Optimizing the hot bed temperature for PLA can avoid problems such as printing failure and rough bottom. Mastering the method of setting the print temperature will be a sure way to enhance your printing experience.