Polylactic acid (PLA) printing is a breeze when you nail the temperature! What Temp Should Pla Be Printed At for optimal results? It’s a question that pops up for both newbies and seasoned 3D printing enthusiasts. At amazingprint.net, we’re here to guide you through the ideal PLA printing temperature range, offering expert tips for stunning 3D prints every time. Understanding this and other variables is key to avoiding common 3D printing problems and achieving high-quality prints. Let’s dive into achieving the best temperature settings, layer adhesion, and optimal printing speed for your PLA projects!
1. Understanding PLA and Its Thermal Properties
What makes PLA so popular in the 3D printing world? Polylactic Acid (PLA) filament is the go-to material for many consumer Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printers, and there are several solid reasons. First off, PLA is super affordable, allowing users to experiment and refine designs without stressing about wasting material. Plus, PLA boasts a low bed and print temperature, thanks to its glass transition temperature of around 60°C. This means you can print PLA using moderate heat settings, skipping the need for high-end, high-temperature equipment.
1.1 What is PLA’s Glass Transition Temperature?
The glass transition temperature is where PLA shifts from a hard, glassy state to a soft, rubbery one, typically around 60°C (140°F). This lower temperature makes PLA easier to work with, reducing energy consumption and the risk of warping.
1.2 What is PLA’s Melting Temperature?
PLA’s melting temperature usually ranges from 130–180°C (266–356°F). This relatively low melting point allows for smoother extrusion and better control during the printing process. Understanding these thermal properties is vital for setting the ideal print and bed temperatures. According to research, PLA is favored for its ease of use and lower printing temperatures (Bergström & Hayman, 2016).
2. The Importance of PLA Bed Temperature
Do you really need a heated bed for PLA? One of the best things about PLA, especially for beginners, is that you can print it without a heated print bed. This makes it perfect for those budget-friendly printers that don’t have heated bed capabilities.
Heated beds offer several key advantages for FDM 3D printing:
- Better Bed Adhesion: The heated bed keeps the first layer soft longer, improving adhesion.
- Easy Part Removal: The rapid temperature drop helps parts “pop off” the build surface.
- Reduced Warping: Parts cool down slower, minimizing contraction and curling.
Print bed
The PLA bed temperature should be around 50 °C or off altogether
2.1 What is the Ideal PLA Bed Temperature?
For PLA, a bed temperature of around 50°C (122°F) is generally ideal. Some popular slicer applications, like Cura, often default to 60°C (140°F) in their PLA print profiles. Here’s what some material manufacturers recommend:
| Manufacturer | Recommended Bed Temperature |
|---|---|
| MatterHackers | 40±15°C (104±59°F) |
| Fillamentum Extrafill | 55°C (131°F) |
| Ultimaker | 60°C (140°F) |
2.2 What Role Does the Build Surface Play?
The build surface is just as important as the heated bed temperature. Glass coated with an adhesive like hairspray or glue stick works wonders, providing excellent adhesion and a smooth bottom layer. Also, make sure your bed is properly calibrated to ensure those PLA printed parts stick like they should!
3. Mastering PLA Print Temperature
What is the most important temperature setting for PLA? The nozzle or hot end temperature is even more critical than the bed temperature when you’re aiming for top-notch results with PLA filament. Why? Because the print temperature affects how the material flows, impacting printing speed and layer bonding.
3.1 How Does Temperature Affect PLA Printing?
Higher temperatures enhance material flow, leading to faster printing and better layer adhesion. However, crank it up too high, and you might end up with overly melted layers that sag and deform, not to mention unwanted material oozing from the nozzle. Sticking to the lowest temperature you can get away with often yields the best visual results.
PLA nozzle
PLA requires a lower nozzle temperature than ABS or PETG
3.2 What is the Ideal PLA Print Temperature?
PLA generally prints best at a moderate temperature, around 210°C (410°F). That’s about 50°C cooler than ABS and 30°C cooler than PETG! PLA’s low glass transition temperature (around 60°C) is the reason for this. Keep in mind that the ideal printing temperature depends on the filament variety, printing speed (faster prints need higher temps), and nozzle size (larger diameters need higher temps).
Instead of trying to calculate all these variables, run some test prints to find the sweet spot. Most FDM printer users find success around 210°C. Here are some recommendations from material manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Recommended Print Temperature |
|---|---|
| MatterHackers | 205±15°C (401±59°F) |
| Fillamentum Extrafill | 220±10°C (428±50°F) |
| Ultimaker | 200–210°C (392–410°F) |
4. PLA and Printing Enclosures
Because PLA plays nice with low bed and printing temperatures, and its fumes are non-toxic, you usually don’t need an enclosure to regulate the ambient temperature or keep fumes at bay.
4.1 Are Enclosures Necessary for PLA?
Enclosures can sometimes be a hindrance with PLA prints. The elevated air temperature can lead to issues like nozzle jams. Delicate areas like overhangs and bridges might become too soft, leading to part failure. Some researchers, however, have found success using environmentally controlled enclosures for PLA printing (Lugo, 2022).
4.2 What to Do if You Must Use an Enclosure
If you can’t avoid using an enclosure, try printing PLA with the door slightly open or use exhaust fans to prevent the enclosure from getting too hot.
5. Troubleshooting: Symptoms of Temperatures Set Too High
What happens when your PLA print temperature is too high? Failed or low-quality PLA prints often stem from bed or print temperatures that are too high. This can happen if you’re using the wrong printing profile in your slicer or a narrower nozzle diameter that calls for lower temperatures than your default settings.
5.1 Elephant’s Foot
A common issue is when the first few layers splay outward because they’re overly melted by the heated bed and stressed by subsequent layers. Fix this by lowering the bed temperature or turning off the heating function altogether.
5.2 Over-Adhesion
While a heated bed can boost first-layer adhesion, setting the temperature too high can make the part stick too well. Lower the temperature slightly to maintain adhesion without needing excessive scraping.
5.3 Heat Creep
If the nozzle temperature is too high, it can melt the filament outside the designated melt zone, especially with an all-metal hotend. Heat creep often kicks in mid-print, causing patchy or incomplete sections as the temperature gradually rises.
5.4 Sagging
PLA parts can droop and sag at excessively high temperatures, especially during bridging. Lower the print temperature or increase the cooling fan power to resolve this. Be careful, though, as too much cooling can lead to poor layer adhesion.
5.5 Oozing and Stringing
High nozzle temperatures can cause material to leak from the nozzle during travel movements. Reduce the print temperature or adjust retraction settings to tackle this issue.
6. Troubleshooting: Symptoms of Temperatures Set Too Low
What happens when your PLA print temperature is too low? Given PLA’s low-temperature requirements, issues from temperatures set too low are less common. But they can still pop up if you’re using nonstandard PLA filament, the ambient temperature is especially cool, or you’re using a wide-diameter nozzle.
6.1 Under-Extrusion
An insufficient nozzle temperature can lead to under-extrusion, resulting in holes in the print or a rough surface texture.
6.2 Clogs and Jams
Temperatures that are too low can prevent the PLA filament from melting properly, potentially clogging the nozzle and interrupting the print. Increase the print temperature or use a wider nozzle to mitigate these problems.
7. How to Dial In the Best PLA Printing Temperature
How can you find the best temperature for printing PLA? Filament manufacturers usually provide recommended bed and nozzle temperature settings tailored to their unique product. But sometimes, these settings don’t deliver the best results.
7.1 Run Test Prints
The best way to find the perfect PLA printing temperature for your setup is to run test prints and evaluate the results. Instead of printing ordinary parts, try printing a temperature tower.
7.2 Using a Temperature Tower
What is a temperature tower? A temperature tower consists of several horizontal blocks, each printed at a slightly higher or lower temperature. The temperatures are printed on the side of the tower, making it easy to identify which block was printed at which temperature. Each block usually includes features like gaps, overhangs, and fine details, offering a clear picture of the printer’s performance at each temperature.
Temperature tower
Temperature tower exhibiting failure at lowest temperature
7.3 How to Print a Temperature Tower
Printing a temperature tower is a bit trickier than a standard print because you need to instruct the printer to adjust the temperature at specific intervals. Cura users can use the ChangeAtZ plugin to switch the nozzle temperature at the required layers.
7.4 Evaluate the Results
Once the temperature tower is printed, visually inspect each block to see which printed well. The block with the least stringing, fewest artifacts, and best fine feature quality indicates the ideal print temperature for your material and setup.
8. Optimizing Your 3D Printing with Amazingprint.net
Ready to take your 3D printing to the next level? Understanding what temp should PLA be printed at is just the beginning. Amazingprint.net offers comprehensive resources and services to help you master every aspect of 3D printing.
- Extensive Guides: Dive into detailed articles covering various 3D printing materials, techniques, and troubleshooting tips.
- Expert Advice: Get personalized recommendations and support from our experienced team.
- High-Quality Materials: Explore our selection of premium PLA filaments designed for exceptional results.
By leveraging the resources at amazingprint.net, you can confidently tackle any 3D printing project and achieve professional-quality results. Don’t let temperature settings hold you back—explore amazingprint.net today and unlock the full potential of your 3D printer!
9. Conclusion
What is the bottom line for PLA printing temperatures? Generally, aim for a bed temperature of around 50°C (122°F) and a print temperature of about 210°C (410°F) for PLA. While enclosures aren’t usually necessary and can sometimes hurt print quality, use exhaust fans if you must use one. Remember, factors like filament brand, nozzle diameter, and print speed can influence the ideal temperature range, making testing crucial when printing PLA for the first time.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
10.1 Why is my PLA print not sticking to the bed?
If your PLA print isn’t sticking to the bed, the bed temperature might be too low. Try increasing it incrementally. Also, ensure the bed is level and clean, as these factors can affect adhesion.
10.2 Why is my PLA print stringy or messy?
Stringiness in a PLA print often signals over-extrusion, which can be due to a print temperature that’s too high. Reduce the print temperature gradually and check your printer’s retraction settings.
10.3 How can I find the optimal print temperature for my PLA filament?
Use a temperature tower to test different temperature settings in a single print. This helps you identify the temperature that works best for your specific filament.
10.4 Can I use the same temperature settings for all brands and colors of PLA?
While there are general temperature ranges, the optimal settings can vary. Experiment with different temperatures when using a new brand or color of PLA.
10.5 What are the ideal cooling settings for PLA?
Effective cooling is essential for preventing warping and maintaining dimensional accuracy in PLA prints. Most printers use a cooling fan directed at the printed part. A cooling fan speed of 50-100% is generally recommended.
10.6 How does print speed affect the ideal PLA temperature?
Higher print speeds may require slightly higher temperatures to ensure consistent extrusion and good layer adhesion. If you notice under-extrusion at higher speeds, increasing the temperature by 5-10°C may help.
10.7 Should I use a brim or raft for better PLA adhesion?
A brim or raft can provide additional surface area for the first layer, improving adhesion, especially for parts with small footprints. A brim is a single-layer outline around the part, while a raft is a multi-layer base.
10.8 What is the best bed surface for PLA adhesion?
Commonly used and effective bed surfaces include glass, PEI (polyetherimide), and painter’s tape. Glass beds often require an adhesive like hairspray or glue stick. PEI sheets offer excellent adhesion without needing additional adhesives.
10.9 How often should I recalibrate my 3D printer bed?
Recalibrate your 3D printer bed regularly, especially if you move the printer or notice inconsistent first-layer adhesion. Checking the bed level before each print can also prevent issues.
10.10 Where can I find more information and resources on 3D printing with PLA?
Visit amazingprint.net for comprehensive guides, expert advice, and high-quality PLA filaments to optimize your 3D printing experience.
amazingprint.net is your go-to source for all things printing! Whether you’re looking for detailed guides, expert advice, or top-notch materials, we’ve got you covered. Plus, we’re located right here in the USA, at 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043. Give us a call at +1 (650) 253-0000 or visit our website today!
11. References
- Bergström, J. S., & Hayman, D. (2016). An overview of mechanical properties and material modeling of polylactide (PLA) for medical applications. Annals of biomedical engineering, 44(2), 330-340.
- Lugo, C. A. (2022). The Design and Development of an Environmentally Controlled Enclosure for 3D Printers. Widener University.
- Vanaei, H. R., Raissi, K., Deligant, M., Shirinbayan, M., Fitoussi, J., Khelladi, S., & Tcharkhtchi, A. (2020). Toward the understanding of temperature effect on bonding strength, dimensions and geometry of 3D-printed parts. Journal of Materials Science, 55(29), 14677-14689.
