Choosing nozzle diameter and appropriate settings

[jphubsch 0]

Hi,

Starting with an UM2+, and therefore an Olsson Block, I was wondering on what precise criteria (for ex max or min layer thickness) do we choose a given nozzle diameter (0.25, 0.4, 0.6, ...) and which settings (flow, extrusion speed for ex) we must use with each diameter in Cura or Simplify3d. I could not find a tutorial on the subject and my searches on the forum did not give exhaustive results. Thank you if you can help.

Edited October 8, 2016 by Guest

[valcrow 145]

General rule for me:

-Layer height should not exceed 2/3 the nozzle size. (I usually keep it under 1/2)

-If you use 0.4mm nozzle, 0.2 is fine, but 0.3 will start to give you bad layer bonding depending on material.

I haven't discovered a minimum yet, I've used 0.8mm nozzles to print at 0.09 layer height with no ill effects. So I can still cut down time and have a nice surface finish.

Flow should be dependent on your material rather than your nozzle size. The software will calculate the proper extrusion volume by changing your nozzle size appropriately.

For speed, you can go fast with the medium nozzles, 0.4 and 0.6, but you have to increase your temperature proportionally to your speed. For 0.25 and 0.8 I would slow it down for different reasons.

0.25 is a small hole, you physically can't squeeze that much material through so if you go too fast it will grind.

0.8 is large so you either need high temperatures to keep the filament hot while extruding a large amount or you have to slow it down.

You'll get a feel for it! but that's my 2 cents.

[Snipper 0]

Hi, I am also a starter with an UM2+, just a few weeks busy.

Because I mostly want small technical parts I use (the better, I believe) Polymax PLA from Polymaker.

Then the nozzle 0.25mm, a 100% infill, 220deg. nozzle temp. and, however given as optinal, a bed temp of 60 deg. Fanspeed 50%

I also recommend the use of (Dlac) hairspray, just a very little bit on the plate.

This gives me very fine, sharp edged, good removable parts.

Good luck