Reducing Stringing

Guide

Stringing can be a common issue in 3D printing. Here are some tips to reduce it:

1. Adjust Retraction Settings: Increase retraction distance and speed. Retraction pulls the filament back into the nozzle during travel moves to prevent oozing.
2. Lower Printing Temperature: Reduce the printing temperature to minimize oozing. Lower temperatures can reduce the viscosity of the filament, making it less likely to string.
3. Increase Travel Speed: Faster travel speeds can reduce stringing. This reduces the time the nozzle spends moving between print areas, giving the filament less time to ooze.
4. Enable Wipe and Coasting: Use wipe and coasting settings to clean the nozzle. Wipe moves the nozzle over the print to remove excess filament, while coasting stops extrusion before the end of a print move.
5. Use a Different Filament: Some filaments are more prone to stringing than others. Experiment with different brands or types of filament to find one that produces less stringing.

Additional Tips

• Calibrate Retraction: Use a retraction calibration model to fine-tune retraction settings. Print the model with different retraction settings and compare the results.
• Clean the Nozzle: Ensure the nozzle is clean and free of debris. A dirty nozzle can cause inconsistent extrusion and stringing.
• Optimize Cooling: Ensure adequate cooling to solidify the filament quickly. Increase fan speed or add additional cooling fans if necessary.

Example Procedure

1. Print a Retraction Test Model: Choose a retraction test model with multiple towers to test stringing.
2. Adjust Retraction Settings: Print the model with different retraction distances and speeds. Start with a retraction distance of 5mm and a speed of 40mm/s, then adjust as needed.
3. Adjust Printing Temperature: Print the model at different temperatures (e.g., 190°C, 200°C, 210°C) and observe the amount of stringing.
4. Adjust Travel Speed: Print the model with different travel speeds (e.g., 100mm/s, 150mm/s, 200mm/s) and check for stringing.
5. Enable Wipe and Coasting: Print the model with wipe and coasting enabled and compare the results to prints without these settings.

By following these steps, you can reduce stringing and improve the quality of your prints.