5 Easy Ways to Prevent 3D Print Stringing

without a doubt,you can’t bear some minor flaws in the face of a 3d printing model, let alone “String”.You complained that this printer is such a trash Contrary to expectations.At that time,You may get mad but it will eventually ending up in a mess. 

So firstly you need to calm down.Take a close look at what the problem is,make it clear that how it happened and how we can solve the problem.Let’s dive in.

What’s the Problem?

Stringing exists when small strings of plastic are left behind on a 3D printed model. This is usually due to plastic leaking out of the nozzle as the extruder moves to a new position.

Finished print affected by stringing

How to fix this？

In this article, we’re going to look at 5 Solutions that are common to all the major 3D printers.

1.Enable Retraction

Enabling retraction is the most ordinary way used to fight against 3D printer stringing. Enabling retraction means that means that when the extruder has to pass through a gap, the filament is retracted a little bit by the feeder.Once the extruder reaches the next position, the filament is pushed out and the print continues again from the nozzle.If the retraction setting is turned on and you’re still experiencing 3D printer stringing, you may then need to go into the details of the retraction settings:

• Retraction distance

The most important retraction setting is the retraction distance. This determines how much plastic is pulled out of the nozzle. Generally speaking, the more plastic that is retracted from the nozzle, the less likely the nozzle is to seep out as it moves. Most direct-drive extruders only require a retraction distance of 0.5-2.0mm. If you run into stringing with your prints, try increasing the retraction distance by 1mm and test again to see if the performance improves.

• Retraction speed

The next retraction setting that you should check is the retraction speed. This determines how fast the filament is retracted from the nozzle.If the retraction is too slow,the plastic will slowly leak out of the nozzle and may begin to leak before the extruder moves to its new position. If you retract too quickly, the filament may separate from the hot plastic inside the nozzle, or the rapid movement of the drive gear may even grind away pieces of your filament. There is usually an optimal point of retraction between 1200-6000 mm/min (20-100 mm/s) .

If standard retraction isn’t doing the trick, try reducing the minimum travel. This is usually the quickest solution to fix stringing issues. Drop the value by 0.5mm until the stringing has stopped completely.

2.Set the Right Temperature

The extruder temperature is the next most common cause for stringing.If the temperature is too high, the plastic inside the nozzle will become less sticky and more likely to leak out. Whereas, if the temperature is too low, the plastic will be kind of solid and difficulty in extruding from the nozzle. If you feel you have the right retraction settings, but you’re still having these problems, try decreasing your extruder temperature by 5-10 degrees. This will greatly improve the quality of your printing.

3.Movement Speed

Moreover,increasing the movement speed of your machine can also reduces the time it takes for the extruder to leak as it moves between parts. The X/Y Axis Movement Speed represents the side-to-side travel speed, and is frequently directly related to the amount of time your extruder spends moving over open air.As long as your machine can handle moving at higher speeds, increasing this settings may reduce stringing between parts.

4.Thoroughly Clean the Nozzle Before Printing

When you use a printer for a long time, the filament can leave a thin layer of residue in the nozzle. This thin layer can cause 3D printer stringing as filament strands will try to stick to the surface of your printed part.

To avoid this type of problem, ensure your nozzle is thoroughly cleaned before any printing to remove any dirt from the previous filaments.

5.Keep Your Filaments Moisture-Free

PLA, which absorbs more water than ABS, is the main culprit.The water turns to steam when the plastic is heated up, and it can mix with the plastic to increase the likelihood that it will seep out during non-printing movements.

Therefore, it is very important to store the filament properly, especially if you live in a humid environment.For more guidance, check out the previous blog here：https://www.geeetech.com/blog/2020/09/3d-printer-filament-storage-how-is-it-done-properly/

Source：

https://www.simplify3d.com/support/print-quality-troubleshooting/stringing-or-oozing/

https://all3dp.com/2/3d-print-stringing-easy-ways-to-prevent-it/

https://technologyoutlet.co.uk/blogs/news/the-most-common-3d-printing-problems-with-solutions