Warping

Despite successful adhesion of the initial layers, you may observe the part starts to curl and deform as printing progresses. This curling can be so extreme that it causes parts of your model to detach from the print bed, potentially leading to a print failure. This issue is particularly prevalent with large or long prints made from high-temperature materials like ABS. The primary cause is the tendency of plastic to shrink as it cools. For example, ABS printed at 230°C can shrink by nearly 1.5% as it cools to room temperature, resulting in several millimetres of shrinkage for larger prints. The print may warp more as each layer is added until it eventually curls and lifts off the bed. While challenging, there are several strategies to address this issue.

Common Solutions

Use a Heated Bed
Many printers come with a heated bed that helps keep the bottom layers of your print warm throughout the process. Setting the heated bed to 100-120°C for materials like ABS can significantly reduce shrinkage.

Disable Fan Cooling
Cooling can exacerbate warping issues, so turning off external cooling fans when printing with materials like ABS is often beneficial. This helps keep all layers warm for a longer period, improving adhesion.

Use a Heated Enclosure
While a heated bed helps with the lower layers, it may not fully prevent the upper layers from contracting as you print taller objects. A heated enclosure can maintain a consistent temperature throughout the build volume. Some printers come with built-in enclosures; if yours has one, keep the doors closed during printing to retain heat.

Add Brims and Rafts
Consider using a brim or raft if you’ve tried other methods and are still facing warping issues. These features help secure the edges of your print and are less prone to warping as they are usually only a few layers thick.