To stop stringing with wood filament, you need to adjust the retraction settings, use larger nozzles, increase the layer height, lower the printing temperature, and keep the filament dry. These are some of the best practices to avoid the common problems of wood filament, such as oozing, clogging, and poor surface quality. In this article, we will explain why these tips work and how to apply them to your 3D printing projects.
Wood filament is a type of composite filament that contains wood fibers mixed with a thermoplastic base, usually PLA or ABS. Wood filament gives your prints a natural and organic look and feel, as well as a pleasant wood-like aroma. Wood filament is also biodegradable and eco-friendly, making it a popular choice for 3D printing enthusiasts.
However, wood filament also has some drawbacks that make it challenging to print with. One of the most common issues is stringing, which is when thin strands of filament are left behind between the printed parts. Stringing can ruin the appearance and functionality of your prints, as well as waste material and time.
Stringing occurs because wood filament has a higher viscosity and lower melting point than regular PLA or ABS. This means that it flows more easily and stays molten longer, making it prone to oozing out of the nozzle during non-printing movements. The wood fibers also add friction and resistance to the filament, making it harder to retract and control the extrusion.
How to Adjust the Retraction Settings
Retraction is a feature in your 3D printer or slicer software that pulls the filament back into the extruder during travel moves, to prevent oozing and stringing. Retraction settings include the retraction distance, which is how much filament is retracted, and the retraction speed, which is how fast the filament is retracted.
To stop stringing with wood filament, you need to increase the retraction distance and speed, to ensure that the filament is fully retracted and does not leak out of the nozzle. However, you also need to be careful not to overdo it, as too much retraction can cause clogging, under-extrusion, and poor layer adhesion.
The optimal retraction settings depend on your printer, nozzle, and filament, but a good starting point is to use a retraction distance of 3mm and a retraction speed of 55 mm/s. You can then fine-tune these values by printing a retraction test model and observing the results. You can find many retraction test models online, such as this one.
How to Use Larger Nozzles
Another way to stop stringing with wood filament is to use larger nozzles, preferably 0.5mm or larger. Larger nozzles have a wider opening that allows the filament to flow more smoothly and evenly, reducing the pressure and friction that cause oozing and stringing. Larger nozzles also reduce the risk of clogging, as the wood fibers have more space to pass through.
However, using larger nozzles also means that you need to increase the layer height, the extrusion width, and the printing temperature, to maintain a consistent and adequate flow rate. Larger nozzles also result in lower resolution and detail, as the printed lines are thicker and coarser. Therefore, you need to balance the benefits and drawbacks of using larger nozzles, depending on your printing goals and preferences.
How to Increase the Layer Height
Increasing the layer height is another tip to stop stringing with wood filament. Layer height is the thickness of each printed layer, and it affects the print quality, speed, and strength. Increasing the layer height means that you print fewer layers, which reduces the printing time and the number of travel moves. This also reduces the chances of oozing and stringing, as the filament has less time and opportunity to leak out of the nozzle.
Moreover, increasing the layer height can improve the appearance and texture of your wood prints, as the layer lines are less visible and more similar to the natural grain of wood. Wood filament is more forgiving than regular PLA or ABS, as the wood fibers mask the layer lines and add a realistic and organic touch to your prints.
The optimal layer height depends on your nozzle size, but a good rule of thumb is to use 50% to 75% of the nozzle diameter. For example, if you use a 0.5mm nozzle, you can use a layer height of 0.25mm to 0.375mm. You can then adjust the layer height according to your desired print quality and speed.
How to Lower the Printing Temperature
Lowering the printing temperature is another effective way to stop stringing with wood filament. Printing temperature is the temperature of the nozzle, and it affects the viscosity and flow of the filament. Lowering the printing temperature means that the filament is less fluid and more solid, making it easier to retract and control the extrusion. Lowering the printing temperature also reduces the risk of burning and degrading the wood fibers, which can affect the color and smell of your prints.
However, lowering the printing temperature too much can also cause problems, such as poor layer adhesion, weak prints, and under-extrusion. Therefore, you need to find the optimal printing temperature for your wood filament, which depends on the type and brand of the filament, as well as the ambient temperature and humidity. A good way to find the optimal printing temperature is to print a temperature tower, which is a model that tests different temperatures on the same print. You can find many temperature tower models online, such as this one.
Keeping the filament dry is the last but not least tip to stop stringing with wood filament. Wood filament is hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs moisture from the air. Moisture can affect the quality and performance of the filament, as it can cause bubbles, popping, hissing, and steam during printing. Moisture can also increase the viscosity and oozing of the filament, leading to more stringing and poor surface quality.
Therefore, you need to store your wood filament in a dry and sealed container, preferably with some desiccants to absorb the moisture. You also need to dry your wood filament before printing, especially if it has been exposed to humid conditions for a long time. You can dry your wood filament using a food dehydrator, an oven, or a dedicated filament dryer. The drying time and temperature depend on the type and amount of filament, but a general guideline is to use 50°C to 60°C for 6 to 8 hours.
Conclusion
Wood filament is a great material to create unique and natural-looking prints, but it also requires some special care and attention to avoid stringing and other issues. By following the tips in this article, you can stop stringing with wood filament and enjoy the benefits of this amazing composite filament. Happy printing!
