This guide explains the principles behind setting appropriate Chamber and Build Plate temperatures on the Vision Miner 22IDEX. Correct temperatures, primarily based on the filament's Glass Transition Temperature (Tg), are crucial for minimizing warping, ensuring good layer adhesion, and maximizing part strength.
The purpose of this section is to provide a clear understanding of how Chamber and Build Plate temperatures interact with filament properties, specifically the Glass Transition Temperature (Tg). We'll cover the relationship between Tg and optimal printing temperatures, the benefits of using a heated chamber, and how to use the provided guidelines as a starting point for various materials. The scope focuses on the conceptual understanding and practical application for the 22IDEX. Prerequisites include basic knowledge of filament types and slicer software settings.
Warning: The build plate and internal chamber can reach high temperatures. Allow components to cool before touching internal surfaces or handling prints directly after completion.
Why Heat Soak? Heat soaking is essential for achieving dimensional accuracy and print stability. As the printer heats up, metal components and other materials expand slightly due to thermal expansion. Although the 22IDEX is designed to minimize this, allowing the machine to reach and stabilize at the target temperatures ensures that this expansion is complete and uniform before the print starts. Skipping this step can lead to dimensional inaccuracies in the final part.
Procedure:
Set the target Chamber and Build Plate temperatures via the web interface based on your material (refer to the table below).
Do NOT pre-heat the nozzle at this stage.
Warning: Heating the nozzle during the chamber heat soak can cause filament to sit idle at high temperatures, potentially leading to degradation, "cooking" of the plastic, and nozzle clogs. Only heat the nozzle immediately before the print starts, typically handled automatically by the print G-code.
Allow the printer's chamber and build plate to reach the set temperatures.
Once the target temperatures are reached, wait an additional 15 minutes. This dwell time is the "heat soak," allowing temperatures to stabilize throughout the machine's structure.
Only after the heat soak period is complete should you initiate the print. The print's starting G-code will then handle heating the nozzle to its target temperature.
The Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) is a critical property of polymers used in 3D printing. Below Tg, the material is hard and glassy. Above Tg, it becomes soft and rubbery, eventually melting at higher temperatures.
Use the following table as a starting point. Remember that optimal temperatures can vary based on specific filament brand, part geometry, size, and desired properties (strength vs. aesthetics/overhang quality).
| Material | Recommended Chamber Temp (°C) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | 70-80 |
Based on Part Geometry and Size |
| ASA | 70-80 |
Based on Part Geometry and Size |
| HIPS | 60 |
|
| PA12 | 80-100 |
Based on Part Geometry and Size |
| PA6 | 80-100 |
Based on Part Geometry and Size |
| PC | 90 |
|
| PC ABS | 80-90 |
Based on Part Geometry and Size |
| PCTG | 60-70 |
Based on Part Geometry and Size |
| PEEK | 100 |
Max Chamber Temp Recommended |
| PEKK | 100 |
Max Chamber Temp Recommended |
| PES | 100 |
Max Chamber Temp Recommended |
| PETG | 0 (or ambient) |
Heated chamber often not needed |
| PLA | 0 (or ambient) |
Heated chamber not needed |
| PP | 60 |
|
| PPA | 90-100 |
Based on Part Geometry and Size |
| PPS | 100 |
Max Chamber Temp Recommended |
| PPSU | 100 |
Max Chamber Temp Recommended |
| PSU | 100 |
Max Chamber Temp Recommended |
| PVA | 0 (or ambient) |
Heated chamber not needed |
| TPU | 0 (or ambient) |
Heated chamber often not needed |
| Ultem 1010 | 100 |
Max Chamber Temp Recommended |
| Ultem 9085 | 100 |
Max Chamber Temp Recommended |
Note: For materials listed at
100°C, this represents the typical maximum operating temperature of the 22IDEX chamber. Always verify the specific material's requirements. For materials like PLA, PETG, PVA, and TPU, a heated chamber is generally not required and can sometimes be detrimental to print quality (e.g., causing excessive softness or stringing).
The primary role of the Build Plate temperature is first layer adhesion. Setting it near or sometimes slightly above the filament's Tg ensures the crucial first layers stick firmly to the build surface, providing a stable foundation for the rest of the print.
The heated chamber provides a controlled, elevated ambient temperature around the printing part.
80°C chamber creates a thermal environment relatively similar to printing PLA (Tg ~55-60°C) at room temperature (~20-25°C). This smaller temperature differential makes the high-temperature material behave more manageably, akin to the ease of printing PLA.5-10°C).Setting the correct Chamber and Build Plate temperatures, guided by the filament's Glass Transition Temperature, is fundamental to successful high-performance 3D printing on the 22IDEX. Use the provided table as a starting point and fine-tune based on the specific material, part geometry, and observed print results. Always prioritize safety when working with high temperatures.