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How to create an optimized filament profile?  

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Paul Harker
(@paul-harker)
Trusted Member
How to create an optimized filament profile?

Hello all,

Prusa has provided lots of great vendor specific filament profiles in Slic3r Prusa Edition, as well as some generic.

As a newbie I'm trying to figure out a repeatable, step-by-step method of creating optimized profiles for the filament brands I have been using (Matterhackers and Hatchbox)

What test prints, methods, and steps do you use or would you recommend for creating a brand/type/color specific filament profile?

Posted : 20/07/2018 6:04 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Re: How to create an optimized filament profile?

Here's what I'm doing with Slic3rPE. You want calipers with 0.01mm resolution. I'm sure it can be improved, but this is yielding good results:

  • Measure filament diameter at something like 5 points over 3m and calculate the average. Set in Filament Settings->Filament->Diameter.

  • Print 20mm cube with 0 top layers, 1 external perimeter, 0 infill under Print Settings->Layers and perimeters. Set default extrusion width, perimeters and external perimeters to current nozzle width under Print Settings->Advanced->Extrusion width. Measure cube dimensions at 3 points and calculate average. Measure wall thickness at 3 locations on each side and average.Adjust Filament Settings->Filament->Extrusion multiplier accordingly. Repeat as necessary.

  • Set Filament Settings->Filament->Density with info from manufacturer if available. Otherwise, leave at default.

  • Set Filament Settings->Filament->Cost just because.

  • Start Filament Settings->Filament->Temperature at middle of manufacturer range and test for finish, adhesion and consistency. Adjust as needed.

  • Tweak Filament Settings->Cooling fan settings based on material.

  • Tweak Filament Settings->Filament->Advanced->Print speed override->Max volumetric speed based on material characteristics. Usually start slow to ensure it prints successfully, then ramp up until I get extruder clicks or misfeeds. Particularly important on filled or unusual filaments.
  • Some of this is overkill, but I'm finding it easier to create separate filament profiles rather than try to remember little tweaks.

    My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

    and miscellaneous other tech projects
    He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

    Posted : 20/07/2018 6:23 pm
    rob.l6
    (@rob-l6)
    Honorable Member
    Re: How to create an optimized filament profile?

    After attempting to do the same (I'm sure many have tried) quite a while back I came to the conclusion that it is almost impossible to achieve.

    And after trying many brands with a few different materials I have concluded there isn't a great deal of variation between filament brands of the same type of material. Once you have a good profile for one type of material it generally works pretty well for most others.

    I wouldn't lose too much sleep over "optimizing" anything 🙂

    Posted : 21/07/2018 12:35 pm
    bobstro
    (@bobstro)
    Illustrious Member
    Re: How to create an optimized filament profile?


    [...] I wouldn't lose too much sleep over "optimizing" anything 🙂
    Excuse me, but are you implying that there is little to be gained by printing endless little useless plastic boats and staring for hours at little 20mm cubes with high-precision calipers under varying light? Madness!

    I think it's a worthwhile exercise to understand what difference the calibration makes, but you are correct that you'll soon find most filaments don't vary a lot. With different filled materials it matters more. In the end, having a handful of profiles is about all you need, and those are likely driven more by temperature variations. Unless you're printing precision-fit parts or tight screw holes, it's not something you need to obsess about.

    My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

    and miscellaneous other tech projects
    He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

    Posted : 21/07/2018 8:31 pm
    rob.l6
    (@rob-l6)
    Honorable Member
    Re: How to create an optimized filament profile?


    Excuse me, but are you implying that there is little to be gained by printing endless little useless plastic boats and staring for hours at little 20mm cubes with high-precision calipers under varying light? Madness!

    I would never suggest such madness, to be sure. I think the best solution is to buy 10 Mk3s, write a python programme that keeps track of and outputs each setting change in gcode, then analyses each model under a SEM and finally reports findings back to the UN council on FDM filaments.

    :ugeek:

    Posted : 22/07/2018 9:50 am
    DevDoc
    (@devdoc)
    Estimable Member
    Re: How to create an optimized filament profile?

    Find a brand you like which is consistent, and stick to it. That's the simplest way to avoid always having to recheck things, however many brands are very similar as stated above. I have so many benches, I could invade a country with them 🙂 Done with that.

    Posted : 22/07/2018 2:52 pm
    frak.n
    (@frak-n)
    Active Member
    Re: How to create an optimized filament profile?

    Excuse me, but are you implying that there is little to be gained by printing endless little useless plastic boats and staring for hours at little 20mm cubes with high-precision calipers under varying light? Madness!

    This guy gets me.

    Posted : 21/03/2019 5:21 am
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