Part cooling dramatically affects print quality — too much causes adhesion issues, too little causes drooping and poor overhangs. Mastering cooling settings is essential for quality prints.
Why Cooling Matters
Cooling solidifies newly deposited material before gravity and heat distort it. Overhangs, bridges, and fine details require rapid cooling. Large flat areas need gentler cooling for adhesion.
PLA Cooling
PLA loves cooling. Run fans at 100% after the first 2-3 layers. The rapid solidification produces sharp details, clean bridges, and smooth surfaces. PLA is the most cooling-friendly material.
PETG Cooling
PETG is sensitive to overcooling. Excessive fan speed causes poor layer adhesion and delamination. Run fans at 30-50% for most PETG prints. Increase slightly for small detailed features.
First Layer: No Cooling
Never use cooling fans on the first layer. The first layer needs maximum adhesion to the bed. Most slicers automatically disable fans for the first 1-3 layers.
Directional Considerations
Cooling from one direction can cause uneven shrinkage. Dual-duct fan setups provide balanced cooling. For single-fan setups, rotate models so detailed features face the fan intake.
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