What is Warping in 3D printing?

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Warping, also known as deformation or curling, is a common problem that can occur during the 3D printing process. It consists of the corners or edges of the printed part lifting or curling upwards, away from the surface of the print bed.

This can negatively impact the quality and accuracy of the print, and in extreme cases, can even cause the part to completely peel off the bed and fail the print entirely.

Understanding the causes and knowing how to prevent and correct warping is essential to achieving successful, high-quality 3D prints.

What causes warping?

Warping is mainly caused by internal stresses in the printing material, especially in materials like ABS and PETG.

When a layer cools rapidly, it tends to shrink and can exert forces that deform the part. In addition, temperature differences between the print bed and the part can also contribute to warping, as sudden temperature changes affect the adhesion of the material to the printing surface.

When a layer is deposited on top of the previous one, the layer below it cools and contracts slightly. If the next layer is deposited too quickly or if the temperature is too low, the top layer can exert stress on the layer below it, which can cause it to warp or curl.

If this process is repeated layer after layer, the accumulated stress can be enough to significantly deform the part.

Factors that can contribute to warping

Factors that can contribute to warping include a print temperature that is too low, a poorly leveled print bed, a cooling rate that is too fast, and lack of adhesion of the part to the print platform.

To prevent warping, it is important to follow certain guidelines such as adjusting the printing temperature, properly leveling the print bed, and using adhesives such as Kapton tape or glue stick to help the part adhere to the print platform.

Warping is most common in plastic materials like ABS and PETG, but can occur in any material that is 3D printed.

Causes that cause Warping

1. Lack of adherence to the bed.
2. The bed is not level.
3. The type of filament you are going to use and its melting temperature.
4. The temperature of the bed in relation to the type of filament.
5. Sudden changes in ambient temperature.

1. Lack of adherence to the bed.

Poor adhesion of the first print layer to the bed surface can cause the part to peel off and deform during printing.

A dirty bed, with uncleaned dust, may be the cause.

Always clean with water or alcohol and a cloth to ensure that the heated bed is clean and free of dust.

Another cause may be an unleveled or poorly leveled bed.

To learn more about adhesion to the print bed, I invite you to read: Skirt Border or Raft Which to use in Cura?

2. The bed is not level.

If the print bed is not leveled properly, there will be variations in the distance between the nozzle and the print surface, which can cause Warping.

With a well-leveled bed you will not only achieve stable and reliable quality prints, but also perfect adhesion to the bed..

For printers with manual leveling like the Ender 3, I invite you to read: How to Properly Level Your 3D Printer Bed

3. The type of filament you are going to use and its melting temperature.

Each filament has its own thermal and shrinkage properties when cooling. Using the right temperature for each type of filament is key to avoiding warping.

There are different types of filaments and for each of them, the manufacturers will give you a recommended printing temperature, as well as the temperature for the heated bed.

These temperatures will vary from brand to brand, each manufacturer will let you know with a label on the filament roll or it will be specified on the box or packaging.

Failure to use these recommended temperatures will cause warping problems in your 3D prints.

It is important to respect these temperatures and, if possible, perform tests to identify which is best for your printer.

To understand what the optimal temperature is for your filaments, I invite you to read: Temperature tower: Better quality in your 3D prints

4. The temperature of the bed in relation to the type of filament.

The bed temperature should be adjusted according to the type of filament used. A bed that is too hot or too cold can cause adhesion problems and warping.

As with the previous point, you should keep in mind that the temperature of the heated bed is adequate for the type of filament you are going to use.

• PLA between 0° and 60°
• PETG between 60° and 90°
• ABS or NYLON between 80° and 100°

Now that you know the right temperature for your filament, you should preheat the hot bed about 5 minutes before starting to print, to ensure that the entire base is heated evenly across its entire surface.

5. Sudden changes in ambient temperature.

Cold air currents in the print area can affect the temperature of the part while it is printing and contribute to warping.

If your heated bed is clean, with good adhesion, well leveled and your temperatures are correct, Your print can still fail due to cold air shocks.

Not only can it peel off and cause warping, but it can also cause what is known as “cracking” which refers to “layers coming apart” leaving gaps in your part.

When printing technical materials such as ABS, PETG or Nylon you must take special care with the air currents, as they can ruin your work.

Controlling temperatures is a key point to prevent warping or deformation of your products. parts.

Youtube video: Lab-Robotics Español

How to avoid Warping in PLA, PETG and ABS?

Warping can be a challenge, but there are techniques and adjustments you can apply to prevent this specific problem on different materials:

How to avoid Warping in PLA:

Make sure the print bed is level for good initial adhesion.

Use a printing surface such as adhesive tape, a heated bed, or a PLA-specific adhesive to improve adhesion.

Reduces the cooling rate of the first layer to minimize internal stresses in the material.

Use a lacquer coating or tape to prevent cold air currents around the printer.

How to avoid Warping in PETG:

Increase the temperature of the print bed to improve adhesion.

Use a sheet of PEI or Kapton Tape on the bed for better adhesion and easy removal of the part.

Print in a closed chamber to maintain a constant ambient temperature and reduce cold air currents.

How to avoid warping in ABS:

Use a heated bed with a temperature suitable for ABS (usually around 90-110°C).

Consider using adhesives such as glue stick or acetone and ABS solution for better adhesion.

Place the printer in a draft-free location and, if possible, create a closed chamber to maintain a stable temperature.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a material prone to warping due to its high shrinkage coefficient. Here are some tips to avoid warping when printing with ABS:

From my own experience, enclosing the printer is the best option to be successful with ABS, you can make one out of wood, cardboard or if you don't have those skills you can buy one on Amazon depending on the type of printer you have.

Remember to check the dimensions of your printer before buying one.

ABS printing temperature should be higher than other materials, between 230 and 260 degrees Celsius. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

3D printers have fans to cool the part after each layer. To print ABS, it is better to disable the fan or reduce its speed.

Make sure the printer is leveled correctly:

An improperly leveled print bed can cause your part to warp or curl. Make sure your bed is properly leveled before you begin printing.

By following these tips you will be able to significantly reduce warping when printing with PLA, PETG and ABS.

Remember to experiment with different settings until you find the one that works best for your printer and the material you use.

How to fix warping in 3D printing

In some cases, despite taking precautions, warping may still occur during printing. Here are some steps you can take to correct the problem:

Improves Adhesion.

• Clean the printing base with water or alcohol. This will remove any existing dust and allow the plastic to settle onto the base. Never forget to do this.
• Always use an adhesive or spray lacquer to improve the adhesion of your piece to the heated bed. It can be a special lacquer for 3D printing or a common hairspray, or even a rubber glue.
• Always slow down first layer, to give the filament time to adhere well to the base. In my experience a speed of between 15 mm/s to 20 mm/s is ideal.
• Add about 10 turns of “Brim” or “Edges” in your favorite laminator. This will help your piece not to peel off as easily.
• If the original base of your printer is not of quality, you can try change it to a glass one and see what results it gives you.
• Remember preheat the warm bed a few minutes before starting printing.

Improve the temperature

• Reduces the speed of the layer fan by at least 50%. This will prevent the layers from cooling too abruptly, causing contractions in the piece. If necessary, you can also disable it.
• If your printer is not closed you can try assemble a box or enclosure that maintains stable temperatures inside it, avoiding external air currents.
• Keep your filaments in good condition, as many of them absorb moisture from the environment.

Conclusions:

Warping is a common challenge when 3D printing, but with the right knowledge and necessary adjustments, it is possible to prevent and correct this problem.

Make sure to level the print bed properly, use the appropriate temperature for the filament used, and avoid sudden changes in ambient temperature. Also, consider using printing surfaces and adhesives that improve adhesion.

With these tips, you can get high-quality 3D prints without warping issues.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why does 3D printing bend?

3D prints can warp due to a phenomenon known as Warping, which occurs when internal stresses in the material and temperature differences between the print bed and the part cause the edges or corners of the print to lift or curve upward.

Why does PLA peel off the bed?

PLA lifting off the bed can be caused by a lack of initial adhesion. This can occur if the print bed is not leveled properly, if the bed temperature is not suitable for PLA, or if the print bed is dirty.

Why is my 3D print lifting?

Lifting or warping of the 3D print can be caused by warping, which is caused by internal stresses in the material and temperature differences between the print bed and the printed part. It is important to follow the techniques described above to prevent and correct warping in order to obtain quality prints.