Glossary · Failure pattern

3D printing

Warping

The corners of a print curl upwards and come off the plate. It happens mainly in cold and draughts.

Explained in more detail

The cause is shrinkage on cooling: upper layers contract and create tension that lifts the corners. Materials with high shrinkage such as ABS, ASA, PA and PC are especially affected. Countermeasures: higher bed temperature, an enclosed, preheated chamber, brim, less part cooling, a clean print surface and rounded corners in the design.

Where does the term come from?

"To warp" means to distort or twist, like a wooden board that goes crooked.

In practice

• With PLA, warping usually points to an adhesion problem; with ABS, ASA, PA and PC, more to surroundings that are too cold.
• Clean the plate with washing-up liquid and warm water, as even fingerprints worsen adhesion.
• Let an enclosed printer preheat for a few minutes before printing, and shield an open one with a cardboard box if necessary.
• Avoid draughts: no open window and no air conditioning near the printer.
• For your own designs, round off sharp corners and, where possible, split large, flat surfaces.

Not to be confused

Do not confuse it with elephant's foot: there the part adheres well and is just too wide at the bottom, whereas with warping the corners lift from the bed.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my print come loose at the corners?

The plastic shrinks as it cools and pulls on the layers below, most strongly at the corners. If this force is greater than the adhesion to the bed, the corners lift.

Does a brim help against warping?

Yes, a brim 5 to 8 mm wide enlarges the adhesion area right at the edges. With ABS, ASA, PA and PC, however, a warm, draught-free chamber is the more important lever.