Creality Ender 3 V2 - Stop Stringing, Improve Print Quality & Time With These Two Settings

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through two essential settings on the Creality Ender 3 V2 that can significantly reduce stringing and improve print quality. By adjusting these settings in Cura, you can achieve cleaner prints with minimal cleanup required, making your 3D printing process more efficient.

Step 1: Adjust Retraction Distance

To prevent stringing in your prints, the first critical setting to adjust is the retraction distance.

1. Open Cura and load your model.
2. Navigate to the printer settings.
3. Look for the "Retraction Distance" setting:
   • For direct drive setups, you typically use a retraction distance of around 1mm.
   • However, with the Ender 3 V2's Bowden setup, set the retraction distance to approximately 4.75mm.
4. Save your settings and slice your model.

Practical Tips

• Test your prints with different retraction distances to find the optimal setting for your specific filament and model.
• Keep in mind that when printing multiple parts, a larger retraction distance is more beneficial as the printer frequently jumps between parts.

Step 2: Enable Combing Mode

The second adjustment involves enabling combing mode, which helps reduce stringing by minimizing travel movements outside the print area.

1. In Cura, go to the settings menu.
2. Locate the "Combing Mode" option under the travel settings.
3. Change the combing mode to "All":
   • This setting ensures that the nozzle travels within the printed part wherever possible, reducing the chance of stringing.
4. Save and slice your model again.

Practical Tips

• Combing mode is particularly effective for parts with complex geometries, where the nozzle would otherwise travel over open spaces.
• You may also notice a reduction in print time; for instance, enabling combing mode can decrease print time from 8 hours 15 minutes to 7 hours 32 minutes for certain models.

Conclusion

By adjusting the retraction distance to 4.75mm and enabling combing mode in Cura, you can significantly improve the quality of your 3D prints while minimizing cleanup. These settings not only enhance surface finish but also reduce print time, making your 3D printing workflow more efficient. Experiment with these settings on different models to see the best results, and enjoy cleaner, more professional-quality prints!