Warping: my 3D print warps and distorts

Warping: my 3D print warps and distorts

With larger 3D prints, it sometimes happens that the initial layers warp and deform. Although they initially adhered well to the print bed, it is possible that the material eventually comes off and ruins your entire 3D print. This is most common with very large or very long parts of the 3D print, where materials that require a high temperature are also used. This problem is called warping.

What are the causes of warping?

Warping Solutions

• A heated print bed

  To prevent warping, you can look at the settings of your print bed. Most 3D printers are equipped with a print bed that can be heated. This reduces the percentage of plastic that shrinks during cooling. For materials such as ABS, set the print bed at a temperature of 100-120 degrees. The temperature of the print bed can be adjusted in the software settings. Don't have a heated bed? Then 123-3D offers upgrades for various printers.

• Deactivate the cooling fan

  When you work with materials such as ABS, where cooling can result in the deformation of your 3D print, the temperature is important. This allows you to choose to turn off the cooling fan when printing with such materials. This ensures that the material stays warm longer, which reduces the chance of deformation or warping.

• Using an encloser can help maintain a constant ambient temperature

  A heated print bed ensures that the lower layers of your 3D print remain warm, but with tall projects the upper layers will not be heated. A housing around your 3D printer ensures that the temperature around your 3D print can be controlled. Some printers are already equipped with housing. The housing also ensures that your 3D print is not influenced by outside factors. Make sure that the housing doors remain closed during printing so that the heat cannot escape. 

Brims and rafts

• Brim

  A brim is printed around the 3D print and can be seen as the foundation of your project. Because the brim is printed around your print, this part will curl and your project will remain unaffected.

• Raft

  A raft can be seen as a kind of raft for your 3D print and helps to prevent warping and not adhering properly to the print bed. You can see a raft as a substrate for your 3D print. You start printing your 3D print on this surface. A raft provides a firm bond to the print bed and reduces the risk of warping.

May also be helpful: