<h2>Density</h2>
<p>Filament has a thickness and length. with those, you can treat it as a long cylinder. The volume of a cylinder is <span class="math-container">$$V=l\times \pi \left( \frac d 2 \right)^2$$</span></p>
<p>Measure a length of the filament, measure the thickness, weigh it, and plug in the values.</p>
<p><span class="math-container">$$\rho=\frac m V$$</span></p>
<p>The density of filaments can also be grabbed from the MSDS (Material Safty Data Sheet). <a href="https://bitfab.io/blog/3d-printing-materials-densities/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">A list of common densities:</a></p>
<div class="s-table-container">
<table class="s-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Filament</th>
<th>Density</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>PLA</td>
<td><span class="math-container">$1.24 - 1.25 \frac {\pu g} {\pu{cm^3}}$</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ABS</td>
<td><span class="math-container">$1.04 \frac {\pu g} {\pu{cm^3}}$</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PETG</td>
<td><span class="math-container">$1.27 \frac {\pu g} {\pu{cm^3}}$</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TPU</td>
<td><span class="math-container">$1.21 \frac {\pu g} {\pu{cm^3}}$</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div><h2>Cost</h2>
<p>The cost entry depends on the unit: It can be cost per kilogram <span class="math-container">$C_\pu{kg}$</span> or cost per meter <span class="math-container">$C_\pu{m}$</span>. In both cases, the density and filament diameter can be used to turn one into the other: <span class="math-container">$$C_\pu{m}=C_\pu{kg}\times \frac {\pi \left( \frac d 2 \right)^2}{\rho}$$</span></p>
<h2>Idle Temperature</h2>
<p>This is a filament dependent temperature, and also called Standby temperature. It should be <strong>lower</strong> than the printing temperature by quite a bit to prevent oozing, and shouldn't be used too much in the first place, as it is a powerhungry operation. It can be used for paus operations in which you insert things into the print, to speed up resuming print, but otherwise... there's little use for it on a single extruder machine unless you swap build plates. On a multi-extruder machine, Idle-temp can speed up printing a lot.</p>
<p>Typically, the idle temperature in a multi-extruder machine is <span class="math-container">$\pu{20 - 50 °C}$</span> lower than the print temperature, depending on preferences and material, and set to such a point that the nozzle does not ooze.</p>
<h2>1st Layer temperature</h2>
<p>Generally, the 1st layer is printed at exactly the same print temperature as the rest. However, printing at an elevated temperatures can help solving a couple adhesion problems.</p>
<h2>Print and bed temperature</h2>
<p>This is material dependent. Look up your filament manufacturer's recommendations for both print and bed temperature and run a couple tests. There are <a href="https://all3dp.com/2/the-best-printing-temperature-for-different-filaments/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">common ranges</a></p>
<div class="s-table-container">
<table class="s-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Filament</th>
<th>Nozzle</th>
<th>Bed</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>PLA</td>
<td><span class="math-container">$\pu{180-220 °C}$</span></td>
<td><span class="math-container">$\pu{20-60 °C}$</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ABS</td>
<td><span class="math-container">$\pu{210-260 °C}$</span></td>
<td><span class="math-container">$\pu{90-110 °C}$</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PETG</td>
<td><span class="math-container">$\pu{220-250 °C}$</span></td>
<td><span class="math-container">$\pu{50-80 °C}$</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TPU</td>
<td><span class="math-container">$\pu{210-230 °C}$</span></td>
<td><span class="math-container">$\pu{30-60 °C}$</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-11-13T14:37:19.183Z
2023-11-17T13:05:58.280Z
2023-11-17T13:05:58.280Z
Trish
<p>I am currently working on a project that uses multiple 3D models which is to be printed, with a variety of 3D printers.</p>
<p>May I know how should I measure the Filament density of a particular filament. Currently, I am attempting to use the Mass/Volume formula, and am simply measuring the mass by weighing the filament. However, how do I measure the <strong>volume</strong>?</p>
<p>My second query is related to the <strong>'cost'</strong> section in PrusaSlicer. I was told to input a specific value, nonetheless, I do not comprehend what to input.</p>
<p>Finally, for the printing, what should be an appropriate <strong>Idle Temperature</strong>; Nozzle temperature for <strong>1st</strong> and <strong>other</strong> layers, as well as the bed temperatures with the same parameters(1st layer and other layers).</p>
<p>Your expertise and explanation would greatly benefit me!</p>

<filament><filament-quality>
Filament settings determination
Rishabh Pal
# Filament settings determination

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-11-12)

I am currently working on a project that uses multiple 3D models which is to be printed, with a variety of 3D printers.

May I know how should I measure the Filament density of a particular filament. Currently, I am attempting to use the Mass/Volume formula, and am simply measuring the mass by weighing the filament. However, how do I measure the **volume**?

My second query is related to the **'cost'** section in PrusaSlicer. I was told to input a specific value, nonetheless, I do not comprehend what to input.

Finally, for the printing, what should be an appropriate **Idle Temperature**; Nozzle temperature for **1st** and **other** layers, as well as the bed temperatures with the same parameters(1st layer and other layers).

Your expertise and explanation would greatly benefit me!

**Tags:** filament, filament-quality

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2023-11-13. Score: 1

## Density

Filament has a thickness and length. with those, you can treat it as a long cylinder. The volume of a cylinder is $$V=l\times \pi \left( \frac d 2 \right)^2$$

Measure a length of the filament, measure the thickness, weigh it, and plug in the values.

$$\rho=\frac m V$$

The density of filaments can also be grabbed from the MSDS (Material Safty Data Sheet). [A list of common densities:](https://bitfab.io/blog/3d-printing-materials-densities/)

| Filament | Density |
| --- | --- |
| PLA | $1.24 - 1.25 \frac {\pu g} {\pu{cm^3}}$ |
| ABS | $1.04 \frac {\pu g} {\pu{cm^3}}$ |
| PETG | $1.27 \frac {\pu g} {\pu{cm^3}}$ |
| TPU | $1.21 \frac {\pu g} {\pu{cm^3}}$ |

## Cost

The cost entry depends on the unit: It can be cost per kilogram $C\_\pu{kg}$ or cost per meter $C\_\pu{m}$. In both cases, the density and filament diameter can be used to turn one into the other: $$C\_\pu{m}=C\_\pu{kg}\times \frac {\pi \left( \frac d 2 \right)^2}{\rho}$$

## Idle Temperature

This is a filament dependent temperature, and also called Standby temperature. It should be **lower** than the printing temperature by quite a bit to prevent oozing, and shouldn't be used too much in the first place, as it is a powerhungry operation. It can be used for paus operations in which you insert things into the print, to speed up resuming print, but otherwise... there's little use for it on a single extruder machine unless you swap build plates. On a multi-extruder machine, Idle-temp can speed up printing a lot.

Typically, the idle temperature in a multi-extruder machine is $\pu{20 - 50 °C}$ lower than the print temperature, depending on preferences and material, and set to such a point that the nozzle does not ooze.

## 1st Layer temperature

Generally, the 1st layer is printed at exactly the same print temperature as the rest. However, printing at an elevated temperatures can help solving a couple adhesion problems.

## Print and bed temperature

This is material dependent. Look up your filament manufacturer's recommendations for both print and bed temperature and run a couple tests. There are [common ranges](https://all3dp.com/2/the-best-printing-temperature-for-different-filaments/)

| Filament | Nozzle | Bed |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PLA | $\pu{180-220 °C}$ | $\pu{20-60 °C}$ |
| ABS | $\pu{210-260 °C}$ | $\pu{90-110 °C}$ |
| PETG | $\pu{220-250 °C}$ | $\pu{50-80 °C}$ |
| TPU | $\pu{210-230 °C}$ | $\pu{30-60 °C}$ |


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