Custom profiles for filaments not included in PS
Hey there, enjoying my Core One kit so far (first printer).
When adding custom profile for a filament not included isn't it best to start with the "Generic" profile and dial it in? If simply going off of the specs listed on the spool, it typically lists suggested nozzle temps, print speed, and Fan Y/N.
I can set the nozzle temp. I've changed the max print speeds for layers, infill, and perimeters individually according to the specs. What about fan? The spool just says "Fan = off".
As mentioned, I'm new so I get that part of tuning a filament is to just print and make small adjustments. I'm trying to make sure I know how to start from the right baseline. For reference, I'm trying to work with Polymaker PETG.
RE:
Hey there, enjoying my Core One kit so far (first printer).
When adding custom profile for a filament not included isn't it best to start with the "Generic" profile and dial it in? If simply going off of the specs listed on the spool, it typically lists suggested nozzle temps, print speed, and Fan Y/N.
I can set the nozzle temp. I've changed the max print speeds for layers, infill, and perimeters individually according to the specs. What about fan? The spool just says "Fan = off".
As mentioned, I'm new so I get that part of tuning a filament is to just print and make small adjustments. I'm trying to make sure I know how to start from the right baseline. For reference, I'm trying to work with Polymaker PETG.
Yes, start with the closest profile (can pick a generic one). If you are just printing Benchys or gridfinity boxes etc then it'll be good enough. If you are printing functional parts that need to be dimensionally accurate then you need to calibrate the filament. The manufacturer specs are just a starting point. Here are most of what is needed. OrcaSlicer has built-in tests that can be used to dial-in these settings. This is what I use then I copy over to PrusaSlicer.
- Nozzle, bed and chamber temp (if relevant) - Temperature Tower
- Part cooling - manufacturer recommendations
- Retraction settings - manufacturer recommendations and additional Retraction Test
- X,Y and Z shrinkage - Califlower Calibration Tool Mk2
- Extrusion multiplier - Flow Rate Calibration
- Volumetric flow rate - Max Volumetric Speed
- Pressure advance (not as important)
RE: Custom profiles for filaments not included in PS
One thing to add. For accurate parts I don't even trust the Prusa settings for their own filaments. I've found it to be off and I've recalibrated those as well.
To amplify @hyiger's comments: the provided profiles are all approximations, they have to be, for run-of-the-mill prints they will usually be fine. Use the generic profiles as starting points when dialling in a new filament...
New users are best advised to stick to the preset profiles for the first year or so - but...
With experience you will discover that, for example, different colours of the nominally same filament may behave differently and require slightly different settings - most experienced users have spools with, eg., "+5°" pencilled on the label. White and pastel filaments are often tricky compared to dark or natural colours.
And, especially for technical filaments and engineering applications, you may need to make specific adjustments to settings for precise working tolerances or additional interlayer strength; where two or more different filaments are to be printed together in one part the degree to which they stick together can be affected by tweaking both profiles.
Yesterday I printed some PETG several degrees hotter than standard settings, trading off some accuracy for better water tightness.
So when @hyiger says a preset is "off" he's really saying that it isn't optimised for his particular use-case; it may be "off" in a completely different detail for another demanding print whilst remaining a good starting point for general work.
Cheerio,