When it comes to 3D printing, everyone talks about design, slicing, and extrusion—but there’s one silent hero that often gets overlooked: cooling. Yes, something as simple as air movement plays a massive role in determining the quality, speed, and structural strength of your prints. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, understanding why cooling is key step in 3D printing can help you avoid common issues and get flawless results.
In this blog, we’ll explore how cooling impacts your prints, what settings matter, and the best practices to master this essential step.
What is Cooling in 3D Printing?
Cooling in 3D printing refers to the process of lowering the temperature of freshly extruded filament so that it solidifies quickly and maintains the desired shape. This is usually managed by a part cooling fan that blows air directly onto the printed object.
Why is Cooling Important?
Let’s break down the reasons why cooling is absolutely critical in FDM/FFF 3D printing:
Prevents Warping and Sagging
Without proper cooling, filament can remain too hot for too long, leading to deformation, especially on overhangs and bridges. Cooling helps the filament solidify in place instantly.
Enhances Print Quality
Layer details, fine edges, and sharp corners look cleaner with optimized cooling. It ensures each layer is firm before the next one is deposited.
Improves Overhang Performance
Overhangs—parts of the model that extend outward—are notorious for drooping if they’re not cooled quickly. Proper airflow prevents sagging and ensures structural integrity.
Strengthens Inter-Layer Bonding
While too much cooling can lead to poor adhesion between layers, controlled cooling maintains a balance that enhances strength without sacrificing surface finish.
Reduces Stringing and Blobbing
Fast solidification of filament reduces unwanted oozing, which means fewer strings and cleaner parts.
Optimizes Print Speed
With good cooling, layers solidify faster, allowing quicker layer transitions and reducing overall print time—especially for high-detail prints.
When Cooling Can Hurt Instead of Help
Cooling isn’t always beneficial—especially when printing materials that require high heat retention:
- ABS: Prone to warping and cracking with excessive cooling.
- Nylon: Needs consistent heat to avoid layer separation.
- PETG: Usually performs best with minimal cooling.
In these cases, you might want to reduce fan speed or even turn it off for the first few layers.
Recommended Cooling Settings by Material
| Material | Cooling Fan Speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PLA | 100% | Needs strong cooling for best detail |
| ABS | 0–30% | Avoid cooling to prevent cracks |
| PETG | 30–50% | Moderate cooling preferred |
| TPU | 30–50% | Cooling depends on layer time |
| Nylon | 0% | Typically no cooling needed |
Tips for Mastering Cooling in 3D Printing
- Use Layer-Specific Cooling: Most slicers allow you to adjust fan speeds by layer height or print time.
- Keep First Layers Warm: Turn off fans for the first 2–3 layers to ensure proper bed adhesion.
- Calibrate Part Cooling Fan: Make sure your fan is positioned correctly to blow air directly on the print and not the hotend.
- Upgrade Your Fan Setup: Consider dual fans or ducts for better airflow distribution.
- Use Cooling Towers: When printing small parts, towers help provide time for layers to cool before the next one starts.
How to Test Cooling Efficiency
Run a temperature tower or cooling calibration print to visually inspect how different fan speeds affect your model. You can also use models with bridges and overhangs to compare surface quality.
Cooling in SLA or Resin 3D Printing
While cooling is critical in FDM printing, resin-based SLA printers don’t rely on cooling fans. Instead, these printers depend on curing time and light intensity. However, post-processing may involve fans during curing stages.
When to Turn Cooling Off Entirely
Here are a few scenarios where disabling cooling is a smart move:
- Large parts with minimal detail that benefit from slow cooling.
- Filaments that shrink significantly when cooled (ABS, ASA).
- Layer adhesion is more important than detail (functional prints).
FAQs
Not always. Materials like ABS and Nylon require little to no cooling.
The print may suffer from sagging, blobbing, and soft edges, especially on overhangs.
Yes, many hobbyists add dual fans or duct systems for better airflow.
Use your slicer software to set fan speeds based on layer height or print duration.
No. Keep the fan off for the first few layers to ensure proper adhesion to the bed.
Not necessarily. Controlled cooling strengthens details while maintaining overall durability.
Conclusion
Cooling isn’t just a background process—it’s a critical player in every successful print. By understanding why cooling is key step in 3D printing, you’ll have the knowledge to fine-tune your printer settings, prevent common print failures, and enhance the quality of your final products.
Looking for help fine-tuning your 3D printer’s cooling settings or need a professionally printed part? Orbit3D has you covered with expert 3D printing services tailored to every project.
