Extrusion multiplier and filament diameter

Written By: Grégoire Saunier (and 2 other contributors)
  • Comments: 12
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Difficulty

Easy

Steps

10

Time Required

00:30:00

Sections

1

Flags

0

Introduction

This guide has been inspired by the Extruder Calibration article from Matt Harisson.

  1. If you have set up a different extruder steps/mm value (e_step) than stock in the past we recommend resetting it to its default.

    • If you have set up a different extruder steps/mm value (e_step) than stock in the past we recommend resetting it to its default.

    • E step calibration isn't a reliable way to calibrate your extrusion because you are not measuring where it matters (what goes out of the nozzle). It is also a painful process to adjust e_step per type of filaments, the extrusion multiplier in PrusaSlicer is a lot easier to handle.

    • We recommend a micrometer instead of a caliper for the following steps. Calipers are not precise enough to measure such small values and a micrometer has a ratchet system made to apply same pressure for all measures.

    • If you still want to use caliper, make sure to always use the same pressure when you measure and don't press too strongly.

    • Tip: If you like to buy a micrometer, choose a quality one. We can recommend Mitutoyo 102-301 for its low price and quality. You can also check second hands market. Some recommended brands: Etalon, Mahr, Mitutoyo, Tesa, Starrett.

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  2. Download the calibration model from thingiverse.com/thing:3405991 or from github.com/gregsaun/.../test/cube
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  3. Measure your filament diameter with a micrometer. Write it on a piece of paper. You could un-spool a little the filament, measure at several places and calculate the average.

    • Measure your filament diameter with a micrometer. Write it on a piece of paper.

    • You could un-spool a little the filament, measure at several places and calculate the average.

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  4. Start PrusaSlicer and load the calibration model. On the main page, select the following parameters: Print settings: 0.20mm QUALITY

    • Start PrusaSlicer and load the calibration model. On the main page, select the following parameters:

    • Print settings: 0.20mm QUALITY

    • Filament: choose the filament profile corresponding to the filament you want to calibrate.

    • Enter your measured filament diameter into the corresponding input under filament settings.

    • Set your extrusion multiplier to 1.00

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  6. Set the following print settings: Spiral vase mode (and accept dialog to auto-configure settings accordingly)

    • Set the following print settings:

    • Spiral vase mode (and accept dialog to auto-configure settings accordingly)

    • Solid layers Top and Bottom: 0

    • Slice the model and start the print.

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  7. Measure thickness of all the perimeters and calculate the average.

    • Measure thickness of all the perimeters and calculate the average.

    • The most reliable measure is on the center of each walls as shown on the image.

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  8. Calculate your new extrusion multiplier using the formula on the 1st image. Here is an example: Your original extrusion multiplier = 1.00 and your average perimeter thickness = 0.47mm.

    • Calculate your new extrusion multiplier using the formula on the 1st image. Here is an example:

    • Your original extrusion multiplier = 1.00 and your average perimeter thickness = 0.47mm.

    • Your are using a 0.4mm nozzle, so your target/expected extrusion width is 0.45mm.

    • Your new extrusion multiplier = (1.00 · 0.45)/0.47 = 0.957

    • Enter the new extrusion multiplier value in the filament settings page of PrusaSlicer.

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  9. Slice and print the calibration model again with the new extrusion multiplier value.

    • Slice and print the calibration model again with the new extrusion multiplier value.

    • Verify the wall thickness with your micrometer. Repeat the previous steps if refinement is needed.

    • Do not change the printing temperature during these steps. Temperature might change the flow and therefore the extrusion multiplier.

    • Tip: The extrusion multiplier is generally constant for a whole spool (if you do not change temperature) but the filament diameter will change. Therefore, before slicing a part, measure the filament diameter you are going to use and enter it into PrusaSlicer.

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  10. You can now more finely recalibrate your first layer.

    • You can now more finely recalibrate your first layer.

    • You could print the first layer of the previous calibration model as a test.

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    • Happy printing :)

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Finish Line

11 other people completed this guide.

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Grégoire Saunier

Member since: 01/20/2019

19,242 Reputation

35 Guides authored

4 Comments

This guide is great! I got my extrusion width to exactly 0.45mm. With Prusament, luckily the filament measurements are already supplied, so I only had to do the two test prints before and after.

Thanks so much for your work!

Fargo - Reply

Happy it was useful for you!

Grégoire Saunier -

Do you need to do the test cube print for every new filament? Or the extruder multiplier remains the same?

Salva - Reply

It might change between spool (even sometimes from same brand, type and color) so I recommend to do it

Grégoire Saunier -

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