ITROEN

Guided 3D printer calibration, step by step

Five steps in the right order to reach the final values for your filament: temperature, flow, pressure advance and retraction. Note the values and copy the profile at the end.

1. Preparation

Before calibrating, remove outside causes: wet filament, dirty plate, loose mechanics.

  1. Dry the filament if it has been open for a while
  2. Clean the plate with isopropyl alcohol
  3. Check belts and nozzle, redo levelling and the first layer
  4. Use the same filament and spool for all tests

Related guide: Why dry filament · Preparing printer and bed

2. Temperature

The right temperature depends on brand and colour: start from the range printed on the spool.

  1. Print a temperature tower covering the range on the spool
  2. Look at bridges, overhangs, stringing and layer adhesion
  3. Pick the level with the best compromise and note it below

Related guide: Temperature tower

3. Flow rate

Flow sets how much plastic comes out. Calibrate it by measuring a single wall with calipers.

  1. Print a single-wall cube with no infill
  2. Measure the wall thickness in several places and average it
  3. Enter the values below: we calculate the new flow

Related guide: Flow rate

4. Pressure advance

It compensates nozzle pressure in corners and acceleration: sharper corners, more even lines.

  1. Print the pressure advance or linear advance test from your firmware or slicer
  2. Pick the area with the sharpest corners and no gaps
  3. Note the value below: it depends on printer, extruder and filament

Related guide: Pressure advance

5. Retraction

It reduces strings between parts. Change one parameter at a time and stop as soon as stringing disappears.

  1. Print a retraction tower or two spaced-out small towers
  2. Increase the distance in small steps until the strings disappear
  3. Do not overdo it: too much retraction causes under-extrusion and clogs
  4. Note the distance and speed below

Related guide: Stringing

Values are indicative and only valid for this combination of printer, filament and environment. Change one thing at a time.

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