In this post we will learn about calibration of material flow rate<\/strong> in the 3D printers. In fact a high percentage of the 3D printing defects is related to incorrect Flow Rate setting. It affects everything from model strength to surface finish. It\u00a0is one of the keys to the success of most successful experts in 3D printing.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Suppose you want to print this part and use Cura as your slicing software. It is showing that the part needs 7.13 meters of 1.75 mm PLA filament to be printed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Calculate the required material volume as:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The software considers the \u00a0filament diameter ” d ” as constant while it really isn’t. Depending on the production accuracy of the manufacturer the filament diameter will change with a tolerance range around the nominal diameter. ( 1.75 mm )<\/span><\/p>\n So when you print the above object you will not\u00a0print exactly 17.15 cm3<\/sup> .<\/span><\/p>\n Some times much less and some times much more, and this causes Under Extrusion<\/strong> or Over Extrusion<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span>These\u00a0are two of the main issues that make\u00a0<\/span>the result of our 3D printings ugly.<\/span><\/p>\n In under extrusion you face with issues like unwanted gaps, holes and lack of material. And in over extrusion you will see the the layer overlaps , extra materials ,out of form features and…<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The first step is to obtain an average diameter of the new filament by doing a number of measurements along the new roll of filament.<\/span><\/p>\n You need to find the flow rate (percentage ) for each roll of new filament and set it on your slicer or directly into your machine. Finding this\u00a0factor is based on a planned trial and error in which you choose a model and try to print it with different flow rates to find the best result.<\/span><\/p>\n For example you start with flow rate of 104%. If the printed part is over extruded then you choose a less flow rate for example 100%. If then it is under extruded so the flow rate should be something between 100% and 104%. This time you choose 102% and continue this way to find the best setting based on the best print quality.<\/span><\/p>\n You can choose the following model from thingiverse.com:<\/span><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.thingiverse.com\/thing:24238<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Many thanks to \u00a0TAOW<\/a> youtube channel<\/a><\/span>\u00a0, I have decided to share this video with you because he has\u00a0used a very interesting and practical logic to do this important setting.<\/span><\/p>\n He prints a 20 mm x 20 mm x 100 mm column starting at 105% flow rate and uses the following decrements to complete the column at 98%.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n h=0-5 mm \u00a0\/ Flow rate = 105%<\/span><\/p>\n h=5-10 mm \/ Flow rate= 104%<\/span><\/p>\n h=10-15 mm\/ Flow rate= 103% ……<\/span><\/p>\n ……..<\/span><\/p>\n h= 50-55 mm \/ Flow Rate = 98%<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Then he looks at the appearance and quality of the printed column at different heights and chooses the best flow rate.\u00a0<\/span>For example if the best printing quality is between h= 15-25 mm then the best flow rate will be at 100-102%.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now enjoy the video…<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\nWhy is material flow rate so important in 3D printing process?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/best-cheap-3dprinters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/3D-Printing-Material-Flow-Rate-2.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/best-cheap-3dprinters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Calculation-of-the-required-volume.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/h4>\n
Here is the\u00a0important point ! <\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/best-cheap-3dprinters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/over-extrusion-3D-printing-3.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"http:\/\/best-cheap-3dprinters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/3D_Print_Problems_Under_Extrusion-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/a>How to set the material flow rate?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/best-cheap-3dprinters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/Flow-Rate-setting-Cura-2.4.0.jpg\")
<\/a>The main logic<\/strong> \u00a0<\/h4>\n
A very useful Youtube Video<\/strong><\/h3>\n