PETG
CF (PETG with Carbon Fiber) is a popular filament choice for 3D
printing due to its enhanced strength, stiffness, and heat resistance
compared to standard PETG.
This article will guide you through the process of successfully
printing with PETG CF on Anycubic I3 printers, including essential tips
and considerations.
Understanding PETG CF
Enhanced Properties: Carbon fiber inclusions significantly improve the mechanical properties of PETG.This
results in parts with higher tensile strength, better impact
resistance, and increased stiffness, making them ideal for applications
requiring durability.
Printing Challenges:
Abrasiveness: The carbon fiber can be abrasive, potentially causing wear and tear on the nozzle and hot end.
Higher Temperatures: PETG CF typically requires slightly higher temperatures than standard PETG.
Adhesion: Proper bed adhesion is crucial due to the increased stiffness of the filament.
Printing Tips for Anycubic Printers (220x 220y 250z build volume in mm)
Printer Preparation:
Cleanliness: Ensure your printer is clean and free from dust or debris.
Nozzle: Use a hardened steel nozzle (like brass-plated steel) to minimize wear.
Cooling: Ensure proper cooling fan function to prevent overheating.
Slicing Settings:
Temperature: Experiment with temperatures between 230-250°C. Start at the lower end and gradually increase if necessary.
Infill: Higher infill percentages (e.g., 40-60%) are recommended for optimal strength and stiffness.
Retraction: Adjust retraction settings to minimize stringing and oozing.
Cooling: Enable sufficient part cooling to prevent warping.
Bed Adhesion:
Adhesion Aids:
Consider using a textured build surface (like PEI or textured glass) or
applying a thin layer of adhesive (like glue stick or hairspray).
First Layer Calibration: Carefully calibrate the first layer height to ensure good adhesion.
Printing Speed:
Reduce Printing Speed:
Lower printing speeds (around 40-60mm/s) are generally recommended for
PETG CF to prevent overheating and ensure proper layer bonding.
Enclosures:
Consider an Enclosure:
An enclosed printing environment can help maintain stable temperatures
and reduce warping, especially in environments with temperature
fluctuations.
Troubleshooting
Under-extrusion: Increase temperature, reduce print speed, or check for nozzle clogs.
Over-extrusion: Decrease temperature, increase print speed, or adjust retraction settings.
Warping: Improve bed adhesion, reduce print speed, and consider using an enclosure.
Stringing: Adjust retraction settings, increase part cooling, and reduce print speed.
Conclusion
Printing
with PETG CF on Anycubic printers can be a rewarding experience,
allowing you to create strong and durable parts. By following these
guidelines and carefully adjusting your printing settings, you can
achieve successful prints with this high-performance material.
Disclaimer:
This article provides general guidance. Printing results may vary
depending on the specific printer model, filament brand, and
environmental factors. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions
and experiment with settings to find the optimal configuration for your
setup.
Note: This
information is for general guidance and may not be entirely accurate or
up-to-date. Always consult the official Anycubic documentation and
support channels for the most accurate and current information.