3D Printing Filament Test - CtrlV Test - Cura Settings

3D Printing Test – Stringing


Once your new 3D printer arrives it is good to understand its capabilities. There are many 3D printing test files to choose from on file repositories. The reason to use a proper test file is because it contains all hard-to-print bits. After printing such object it becomes clear what settings you need to complete tricky and detailed projects. Also these files are designed in a way that you don’t use a lot of filament and printing time.


3D Printing Test – Ctrl V Test File

As each 3D printer is different it may take a few attempts to get your print right. Changing particular slicer settings and trying, again and again, will eventually result in tuning your printer correctly. The picture above demonstrates how wrong it can come out in the very beginning. Lower temperature and printing speed can help with bridges and tricky corners. More details can be achieved with layer height at 0.1 mm.

3D Printing Test - Fail - Blue PLA
3D Printing Test – Fail – Blue PLA
(Image: 3DWithUs)
3D Printing Test - Improoved Result - Blue PLA
Before – After – Improoved Result
(Image: 3DWithUs)

3D Printing Test – Stringing

As it is shown in the picture below (Red) there is a lot of stringing. A big part in this is played by retraction settings. Later we changed retraction speed to 60 mm/s. Also, Z hop when retracting was changed to 0.075 mm which is recommended for Delta 3D printers. High temperature can also add to stringing. It is best to print at lower temperature to allow filament to cool down. PLA at 180 C should be the most suitable for this type of 3D printing test.

3D Printing Test - Stringing - T-Glase PET
3D Printing Test – Stringing and Oozing
(Image: 3DWithUs)

But, we have to keep in mind that, compared to PLA and ABS, PET and PETG materials are prone to stringing. Therefore the best models for this material are all sorts of objects that can be 3D printed without infill and supports. Please don’t get us wrong, it is possible to print any functional item with retractions but the item’s look may suffer in the end because of excessive oozing and stringing. Read more about PET and PETG.

3d printing test - improoved result - Green PLA
Green PLA
(Image: 3DWithUs)

Travel Speed

Another setting to mind is travel speed. By default, it can be set at 150 mm/s in your slicer. It might help raising it to 250 mm/s. This way filament won’t be dragged along. Hopefully, all the tips above will help you to set up your 3D printer correctly and avoid the stringing. However, as we mentioned before, you may have such filament in your hands that will make stringing worse than others.

3D Printing Test - Wood Filament
CtrlV Test Object – 3D Printed in Wood Filament
(Image: 3DWithUs)

Before trying to use wood filament we would recommend to become comfortable using PLA first and get to know your 3D printer well. As this filament may appear hard to handle. Read more about wood filament.

3D Printing Test - ABS Filament
3D Printing Test – ABS Filament
(Image: 3DWithUs)

Overall we showcased 4 different filament materials: PLA, PET, Wood, and ABS. Every time ctrlV test file had to be tuned in Cura slicer software according to manufacturers guidelines. Usually, it is the temperature we play with.
Our 3D printing test is made on Delta Wasp 2040. Please bear in mind that some settings are specific for this type of 3D printer only (bowden extruder), such as Z-hop setting.

Read More: Vase Mode 3D Printing – Cura, Prusa and Simplify3D Settings

When 3D printing in vase mode, the machine’s extruder is set to move in a corkscrew, or spiral, mode. There are no retractions. Simplify3D, Cura, and Prusa slicer software all have such mode settings under different names. Check how to setup “Spiralyze Outline Contour”.

Vase Mode 3D Printing - 3D Scanned Tree Vases - Oak, Birch, and Pine Textures
3D Scanned Tree Vases – Oak, Birch, and Pine Textures
(Image: 3DWithUs)

SUNLU PLA Filament on Amazon (affiliate link)

STL Files:

“Test your 3D printer” file
by ctrlV
3DBenchy
by Creative Tools

Test File - 3D Benchy
Iconic 3D Printer Test File – 3D Benchy (Photo: Andrew Sink)

Read More: Settings for Small 0.2mm and Large 0.8mm 3D Printer Nozzles

If you’ve never changed a nozzle on your printer before, there’s never been a better time than now to experiment with different sizes. If you’re interested in learning more about how to change a nozzle and when to use different sizes, be sure to check out the examples used in this article.



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