How to prevent 3d printing warping problems

3d printing warping is one of the most common problems faced by 3d printing enthusiasts. Especially when printing larger models, the printed parts initially adhere to the print bed, but then the edges of the prints lift off the print bed and curl, causing the model to deform and waste material. The main reason for warping is that plastic materials cool and shrink when printed, which causes deformation. This article will analyze the causes of warping and use suggestions to prevent 3d printing warping to improve your printing success rate.

Source: https://wiki.bambulab.com/en/knowledge-sharing/printed-model-warping

Why does 3d printing warping occur?

Warping is mainly caused by uneven cooling and shrinkage of the printed material. When hot materials cool, they shrink, and the colder layers pull the hotter layers as they shrink. When the first printed part of the model begins to cool, internal stress accumulates, pulling the edges upward.

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/warping-deformation-and-its-method-of-measurement-at-each-corner_fig2_318654219

In addition, insufficient adhesion to the 3d printer bed, uneven cooling caused by airflow and temperature fluctuations in the environment, and models with sharp corners, large planes, or complex geometric designs can further exacerbate the warping problem.

Materials that are prone to warping usually have high thermal shrinkage, such as ABS and nylon, which undergo significant volume changes during cooling, causing warping. In addition, polycarbonate (PC) is also susceptible to warping due to temperature fluctuations due to the need for high-temperature printing. In contrast, PLA has lower heat shrinkage and is not prone to warping, but problems may still occur in the case of poor bed adhesion.

How to prevent 3d printing warping

If the 3d printing warping problem is not very serious, you can use a heat gun or hair dryer to gently heat the warped area and manually restore it to flatness, but this is only suitable for parts that do not require high precision. The 3d printing warping problem is still mainly preventive. Here are some common operating methods:

Optimize bed adhesion

Use adhesives such as glue sticks, hairspray or painters' tape to improve grip. Clean the print bed thoroughly before each print to ensure that it is clean and free of dust and grease. At the same time, consider using PEI board, textured glass or a dedicated build surface for specific filaments.

Use a heated print bed

A heated bed can effectively prevent excessive temperature differences between the print and the bed surface, reducing shrinkage and warping. A heated bed keeps the material on the bottom warm at all times, which helps to enhance adhesion, especially for high-shrinkage materials such as ABS. Make sure the print bed is heated to the temperature range recommended by the material.

Use a heated enclosure

A heated enclosure helps regulate the temperature of the entire build volume, but not all machines have this feature. If your machine does include a heated enclosure, make sure to keep the door closed during printing, which will prevent heat from escaping.

Disable fan cooling

Cooling fan settings have a significant impact on warping. Too fast cooling can cause material shrinkage, and appropriately reducing fan speed, especially when bottom layers, can avoid too fast cooling of the material, thereby reducing warping.

3d Printing Design

Use chamfers or rounded edges instead of sharp corners to reduce stress, avoid using large flat surfaces as much as possible, or divide them into smaller parts. At the same time, you can try to add brims or rafts to the print. These features will help increase adhesion and reduce the risk of warping. We will continue to introduce these supplementary border designs in later articles: https://jlc3dp.com/blog/3d-printing-brims-skirts-and-rafts-how-to-use-them

raft vs skirt vs brim

Source: https://3dprintmentor.com/3d-printing-raft-vs-brim-vs-skirt/

In summary, the 3d printing warping problem is a common challenge encountered by many printing enthusiasts. The best way is still to minimize the occurrence of warping by adjusting the printing environment and optimizing the printing settings. If you are looking for professional support, JLC3DP provides fast and affordable 3d printing solutions to ensure satisfactory delivery of your printing projects.