Stringing is one of the most common and annoying problems in 3D printing, resulting in thin, unsightly plastic threads that give the print a furry look. It occurs when small strands of filaments are left on a 3D printed object, and is caused by incorrect retraction settings and a too high setting of the hot end temperature. Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent stringing and improve the quality of your 3D prints. The best way to do this is to print a cube with no filling, no top layers and with exactly two walls. This will help you identify the perfect retraction settings for your printer.
It may take a few tries to find the right configuration, but it will be worth it in the end. Flow rate is another important factor when it comes to preventing stringing. Too high a flow rate can cause overextrusion in 3D printing because the plastic filament is forced through the extruder die too quickly. It is therefore important to calibrate this setting along with print temperature and retraction settings at the beginning.
In 3D printers with a Bowden extruder, it can sometimes happen that the stringing is distributed unevenly over the printing object. To avoid this, you should make sure that there is no blockage in the way of your nozzle. If it is damaged, it is best to replace it immediately. Another useful method for preventing stringing is cold extraction. This involves cleaning the hotend and nozzle of your 3D printer when you have filament jams or clogs.
You can also use containers that have been specially developed for storing 3D printing filaments. Finally, if retraction is activated, when the extruder finishes printing a section of its model, the filament will be pulled back into the die to act as a countermeasure against oozing. The best way to find out where the perfect temperature is for your filament in this range is to print a temperature tower.
