How to add and configure a 3D filament in Cura

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Cura provides us with a list of 3D filament that already come by default in its configurations.

If the filament you use is not on this list You can add it by brand, color, filament type and configure it with the best printing parameters.

You can also set cost per meter of the 3D filament.

To add and configure a new 3D filament in Ultimaker Cura go to: “Preferences” – “Configure Cura…” – “Materials” and “Create”

This will allow you to add your filament into the cure options, allowing you to configure the best parameters for that filament.

Why add a 3D filament in Cura

Not all brands of filament are the same, nor do they melt at the same temperature.

Therefore, to achieve the best print quality with your printer, it is best to thoroughly know the filament you use.

For example:

• you can make one temperature tower to know the ideal temperature of the filament.
• You can also do retraction tests, to see at what distances that filament will begin to leave threads.
• You can tell if that filament is to absorb a lot humidity, to find a way to keep it dry.
• The cost/quantity of meters ratio according to the manufacturer.

Most of You can save this data in Cura, in an independent way for each filament, and access them with just a couple of clicks without having to manually change Cura settings.

The answer is: because you can access the settings for each filament with just a couple of clicks.

How to add and configure a 3D filament in Cura

1. Open Cura settings
2. Click on Materials and Create
3. Configure your filament data
4. Set the filament properties
5. Configure the Print Settings tab

1) Open Cura settings

If the brand of 3D filament you use is not in Cura, you can add yours by clicking on: “Preferences” – “Configure Cura…” – “Materials” and “Create”

2) Click on Materials and Create

Once the material configuration window opens, you click on “create” and a “ will be generatednew generic filament“.

In the example image this new filament is called “Custom Material”, this name can be modified with your filament data.

3) Set your filament data

At this point you must configure the data of your filament in the window on the right.

To continue with the example, I am going to configure a blue PLA filament as follows:

• Show name: Here I will put the color of the filament (in this case blue)
• Brand: The brand of the filament that you use regularly (For the example I am going to put Grilon3 which is a brand that does not exist in Cura)
• Type of material: Here you have to put the type of filament, if it is PLA or if it is PETG or NYLON or whatever. (I am going to put PLA)
• Color: Click on the color box and in the next window choose a color similar to your filament. (in my case Blue)

When setting filament information in the right window, it is automatically changed in the left window.

If you add multiple filaments from the same brand, you will be able to find them all under the same brand “tab” that you configured.

4) Set the filament properties

After setting up the “basic information” you can continue configuring the “properties” section below.

In this section you can set the weight of the filament, for example “1000 g” if it is a 1 kilo roll, or “500 g” if it is a half kilo roll.

Another option that can be configured (and it is very good) is to know how much money you are spending with each print and it is the option of “filament cost”

Continuing with the example it would look like this:

• Density: It remains as is, because it is configured for a 1.75 mm diameter filament (1.24 g/cm³)
• Diameter: It also remains the same because I am using a 1.75 mm filament
• filament cost: Here you are going to put the price of the filament that you are configuring. (for the example I will put $9.90)

Below you will see two text boxes, where you can write any information you consider important:

• Description: Here you can write any data you consider relevant about the filament
• Adhesion information: With PLA you shouldn't have any adhesion issues, but for other filaments you can use this box to jot down any relevant data.

Once you have finished setting up the information tab, you will need to configure the tab of “Print settings“

At this point it becomes important to make a temperature test, to know what the ideal temperature is for your filament, as I mentioned above.

5) Configure the Print Settings tab

In this tab you will configure the filament printing temperatures and optimal retraction distances for your filament.

In the temperature towers I made for PLA, I found that the printing range given to me by the manufacturer was quite accurate. Even so, I was able to determine that (for that brand), the temperature at which the filament prints best is 215° C.

Print Settings:

• Default printing temperature: Here you have to place the best temperature for your 3D filament (in my case, thanks to the temperature towers, 215° C)
• Default plate temperature: 60° C
• Standby temperature: it can be 180° C (I put 200° C)
• Retraction distance: Another very important setting, you must know these values and set them here. (5.00mm)
• Retraction speed: speed at which the filament will retract (45 mm/s)
• fan speed: 100% for PLA

At this point you have finished configuring all the data for your filament. You can close the window.

Now you can check that the filament you configured appears in the top bar and that the parameters are correct.

When to add and configure a 3D filament in Cura?

Every time you buy a new filament (not in Cura's default filament list) and you have done the temperature towers and retraction tests for that filament, you can add it in Cura.

This work will not be in vain, since this data will be saved in Cura and the next time you buy the same filament, it will not be necessary to add it because you will already have it configured.

You will need to do this for each color of filament, regardless of the brand you use.