Compensating for variations in filament diameter is essential to guarantee the quality and reproducibility of 3D parts.
The manufacturing tolerances of filaments can vary by +/-0.05mm, resulting in a 12% variation in volume between the maximum and minimum of these tolerances.
For technical filaments such as PEEK, PEKK, PEI, PPSU,... some manufacturers even advertise tolerances of +/- 0.10mm, which means that the filament can vary by 24% in volume!
Although these variations in volume are generally well tolerated when using standard filaments such as PLA or PETG, they can cause considerable problems with technical filaments.
Filament extruders control the flow rate in "mm equivalent", which makes it impossible to obtain reproducible prints of consistent quality with such variations in volume.
The sketch above shows the variation in extruded volume for 1 mm of filament, with minimum and maximum tolerances.
A simple percentage calculation shows that the volume variation is 12% (varies between 2.5446 and 2.2698mm3) between 1.80mm and 1.70mm (+/- 0.05mm) and 24% (varies between 2.688 and 2.1382mm3) between 1.85mm and 1.65mm (+/- 0.10mm).
By using QuControl, you can actually certify the printed parts or the production batch, by providing a pdf document with the parts certifying that the variations in filament diameter have been compensated for.
This allows you to ensure that 3D printing is carried out in the best possible way and that there are no variations in the process that could weaken the mechanical properties of the printed part.
What's more, complete and true traceability of the printed parts is provided because all the printing parameters have been recorded.
This also improves the reliability of the printed parts because the inter-layer bonds are constant, the dimensions are constant, the fill rate is constant and guaranteed, the mass is constant, etc.
1 - Certification of the printed part and supply of a document certifying compensation for variations in filament diameter.
2 - Guarantee of optimum printing with no variations that could affect the mechanical properties of the printed part.
3 - Complete traceability of printing parameters for each part.
4 - Increased reliability of printed parts, with constant interlayer bonds, guaranteed dimensions and fill rate, and constant mass.
Designation |
Values |
Measuring range |
Ø1.50 / Ø2,0mm |
Number of measurement axes |
2 (perpendicular) |
Number of measurements made simultaneously (per axis) |
Measurements at a frequency of 500 Hz |
Calculation of the average cross-section |
Yes |
Ovality control |
Yes |
Resolution |
< 0.1 µm |
Repeatability (3Sigma) |
+/-0.07µm (Mean Time : 1 second) |
Measurement accuracy |
Better than +/- 0.8µm |
Calibration |
At the factory |
Automatic dust detection |
Yes |
Automatic detection of erroneous measurements |
Yes |
Maximum measurement frequency |
50 Hz |
Operating temperature |
15 to 45°C |
Control and calculation software |
Windows / Linux |
Internet Of Thing |
RJ45 |
Control interface accessible on the network |
WEB Browser |
Recording of measurements during printing |
HTML & Excel compatible print report |
Connection to the machine: Bayonet connector |
PTFE Tube OD. 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 |
Power supply |
220V – 2A |
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