Solving the stringing problem in 3D printing

When working with a 3D printer, it's common to encounter small issues that can slow down or compromise the ongoing project. One of the most common problems is definitely "stringing", which occurs when FDM (filament) 3D printing deposits the material onto the print bed incorrectly, creating thin and unaesthetic strings on the surface of the printed piece.

To avoid the stringing phenomenon, there are several techniques that can be used. First and foremost, temperature is a crucial factor: if the filament is too hot, it becomes very liquid and the nozzle can drip during printing. Therefore, it's important to find the right balance of extrusion temperature to prevent the material from dripping excessively.

Printing speed is another important factor to consider: if it's too slow, the nozzle takes too long to move from one point to another on the printed piece, favoring the formation of excess strings. On the other hand, increasing the printing speed makes the nozzle move more quickly, reducing the risk of stringing.

It's important to bear in mind that every 3D printer and every material may behave differently, so it's always necessary to experiment to find the right printing parameters.

It's also possible to use advanced slicing software that optimizes the printing parameters based on the piece to be printed and the material used. With a little bit of experience and experimentation, it's possible to achieve high-quality 3D prints without any stringing problems.

What are the most commonly used parameters for materials?

PLA: 80-210 °C

ABS: 210-250 °C

PETG: 210-230 °C

TPU: 220-240 °C