Temperature tower: Better quality in your 3D prints

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We all seek to improve the quality of our 3D prints, which is why we always modify the most important factors, which are temperature, retractions and speed, not to mention many other parameters that affect the quality of our prints.

Today I want to focus on the temperature towers and how to use them for our benefit, finding the perfect temperature for each type of filament.

What is a temperature tower?

A temperature tower is a test and is used to find the most optimal temperature for a 3D filament.

It is a 3D printed vertical structure consisting of several horizontal sections. Each section is printed at different temperatures, this allows you to quickly identify the best temperature for the chosen filament.

You can search the temperature tower Which section looks better?; which section has better quality in its layers and walls, which has better bridges, cones, curves; and ignore the defective sections.

What is a temperature tower used for?

A temperature tower is used to determine What is the best printing temperature? for each filament.

Generally speaking, we can know that the best printing temperature for a filament is the one recommended by its manufacturer, since they are the ones who test and put their product to the test before putting it on sale.

The problem is that the manufacturer provides a recommended printing range, not a specific temperature. For example, for a roll of PLA filament, the manufacturer's range can go from 190 °C to 230 °C.

Considering that a difference of 5 °C can make the difference between good quality or poor quality 3D prints, it would be advisable to know What is the best temperature for each specific filament?.

The best way to know what the proper temperature is for a specific type of filament is “print a temperature tower” and take note of the results.

Why print a temperature tower

Because a temperature tower can help identify problems related to poor temperature settings.

If the printing temperature is too high there will be excess melted filament, generating threads in printing among other printing defects. However, if the temperature is too low, there may be under extrusion problems, or a less filament flow for the chosen speed.

Printing a temperature tower can help correct these issues by choosing the optimal temperature for the filament.

When should I print a temperature tower?

You should print a temperature tower for each color and brand of filament. Or in case you change any important component of your printer.

It is important to understand that while a PLA filament from one manufacturer may print well at 200°C, another manufacturer's filament may print even better at 215°C, meaning that not all filaments are going to be the same or print well at the same temperature.

Changing any component related to: the Hotend, layer fans, heating cartridge; can affect the result of the extruded filament. For any of these cases, temperature towers must be printed.

How to print a temperature tower

To print a temperature tower you will need:

• download one temperature tower stl from Thingiverse (or from Cura).
• Configure the different temperatures in the laminator software.
• Generate the gcode file and send it to print.

The new versions of Cura They bring the option to add test models directly from the options menu, just by adding a plugin. This is the quickest and easiest way for beginners.

There are different temperature towers for each type of filament, some for PLA and others for PetgThe choice has to be made based on the type of filament you are using.

It is necessary to set the different temperatures in Cura because if you don't, the temperature tower will be printed at a constant temperature. Therefore, you will need to access the G-code file to modify it. Let's see a step by step:

How to make a temperature tower in Cura

• In Cura opens the marketplace and wait for the plugins to load.

• Then search for and install the plugin called “Calibration Shapes“

• accept the license

• Restart Cura for the changes to take effect

• Now go to: menu >> Extensions >> Part for calibration >> “Add a PLA TempTower”

• A temperature tower will appear to use with PLA filament, which will range from 220 °C at the base to 180 °C.

The next step will be to configure the tower to print at different temperatures.

How to configure temperature tower in Cura

1) In Cura, set the following parameters: (for all the towers you make, except for the temperature, which will be the only modification made during printing):

• Layer height: 0.2
• Initial layer height: 0.2
• Number of walls: 2
• Padding: 20%
• Printing Temperature: (Here you will put the temperature of the first section: 220 °C)
• Plate Temperature: 60°C
• Speed: 50mm/s
• Refrigeration: Activate 100%
• Supports: They are not necessary.
• Adherence to the plate: Edge 10 laps

2) Modify the Gcode to add the temperature changes of the Tower sections.

• Go to: menu >> Extensions >> Postprocessing >> Modify Gcode

• Add a new script: TempFanTower

• Put the values in the script

(To place the correct values you must calculate the following: Number of total layers – base layers / number of tower sections)

That is to say: 378 layers (less 4 Base Layers) = 374 (divided 9 tower sections) = 41,55 (rounds up to 41)

Put this data in the script:

• Starting Temperature: 220 (This would be the initial temperature and it has to match the base of the tower)
• Temperature Increase: -5 (the number of grades that will go down for each section)
• Change Layer: 41 (The first temperature change would occur in this layer)
• Change Layer Offset: 4 (these would be the base layers)

Generate the Gcode and send it to print

Once you have finished setting everything up you can segment and send to print. You should save the file with the name PLA_04mm_TempTower_220_180.gcode to remember that this temperature tower you set up is for use with PLA and one 04mm nozzle and temperature differences.

YouTube video: Alexei's 3D Workshop

Remember before printing:

• You must have the 3D printer clean and in good condition; here you can see a post about “How to maintain your 3D printer“.
• Make sure level the bed before printing.
• Use a good quality filament
• If the filament is old be careful with the humidity problems.

Delete the script

Once you're done, you will need to delete the script that you have created. If you do not do this, each time you print the temperatures will change from 220 °C to 180 °C as programmed.

How to analyze the temperature tower

Once the tower is printed, you will need to perform a visual inspection of all the segments. With a bit of luck, you will be able to spot some differences between the different temperatures used.

Some items to keep in mind are:

• Layers that did not stick.
• Skipped or hollow layers.
• melted layers
• Threads or Stringing
• The quality of bridging or bridges
• deformed cantilevers

The goal of visual inspection is to find the best printed section, without flaws, strings or deformities, and to note the temperature of that section.

YouTube videos: Lucas 3D

Conclusions::

1. When analyzing the PLA temperature towers I found that it is very important turn on layer fans, since deactivating them causes errors in the connections of the bridges and that can lead to confusion.
2. Many of the threads or strings that can occur, They are due to a build-up of moisture in the filaments. Therefore, it is not necessary to rely so much on this problem when choosing the temperature, Moisture problems need to be corrected. before doing temperature tests.
3. Another observation is that the filaments become brighter at higher temperatures and more opaque at lower temperatures. It should be noted that at lower temperatures the layers run the risk of not adhering properly, especially with PETG filaments.
4. In some PLA filaments there seems to be no change at different temperatures. Does this mean that the manufacturer's ranges are correct and you can print in any of those ranges?
5. You should definitely write down the results of the temperature tower, including the brand and type of filament. Many people recommend marking with a fiber and storing the temperature tower in a drawer, I personally recommend would add the filament to the Cura settings.
6. The next prints made with the test filament must be at the chosen temperature..