3D Printing Test

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.

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.