Glossary · Calibration

3D printing

Temperature tower

A test print made of several floors, each printed at a different nozzle temperature. From the result you can see which temperature suits your filament best.

Explained in more detail

A temperature tower consists of several identical sections with overhangs, bridges and fine details. The slicer changes the nozzle temperature from section to section, for example from 230 °C at the bottom to 190 °C at the top in steps of 5 degrees. Afterwards you compare the surface, bridges, overhangs and stringing and pick the step with the best overall result. Many slicers have the test built in, such as OrcaSlicer, or you can find ready-made models on platforms like Printables. The value you find applies to this filament on this printer and belongs in the filament profile.

Where does the term come from?

A calque of the English temperature tower. The name describes the shape: the floors with different temperatures stack into a narrow tower.

In practice

• Print the tower at the speed you will later print at, otherwise the value will not fit.
• Most towers start with the hottest step at the bottom and get cooler towards the top.
• Also check layer adhesion: if a floor can easily be broken between the layers, it was too cold.
• Repeat the test for every new type of filament, even for the same material from a different brand.

Not to be confused

A temperature tower does not replace calibrating flow or pressure advance. It only finds the right nozzle temperature; you then set the other values one by one.

Frequently asked questions

When is a temperature tower worthwhile?

With every new filament for which there is no tested profile, and when stringing, poor bridges or weak layer adhesion occur. For the printer manufacturer's own filament with its profile, it is often not necessary.

Which level is the best?

The one with the best compromise of clean surface, few strings, good bridges and strong layer adhesion. If two levels are equal, the cooler one usually gives fewer strings and the hotter one more strength.