Updated Material Printing Parameters

Why Do Some Materials Have Updated Printing Parameters Without Formula Changes?

Overview

You may notice that some Polymaker materials have updated recommended printing parameters, even though there have been no changes to the material formulation. This article explains why these updates occur and how to interpret them.

The Evolution of 3D Printers

Over the past 3–5 years, consumer and prosumer 3D printers have advanced significantly. Older machines - such as early-generation Bowden-style printers with stock extruders and standard hotends - were mechanically limited in their ability to print at high speeds.

In many cases, the primary limitation was not the material, but the hardware. Common bottlenecks included:

• Low-torque extruders without gear reduction
• Bowden setups with limited filament control
• Hotends not designed for high flow or rapid heat transfer

Attempting high-speed printing on these systems often resulted in:

• Extruder stepper skipping
• Inconsistent extrusion
• Inability to properly melt filament at higher flow rates

Because of these limitations, earlier Polymaker recommendations were intentionally conservative to match the capabilities of the printers available at the time.

Why Parameters Are Updated

Many Polymaker products were originally launched before the recent advancements in printer technology. As modern printers now feature:

• Direct drive extruders
• High-flow hotends
• Improved motion systems and acceleration control

…the practical performance ceiling has increased significantly.

To reflect this new reality, Polymaker has updated recommended printing parameters for certain materials. These updates are typically introduced alongside:

• Packaging updates
• Product rebranding

However, it is important to note that these changes do not indicate any modification to the material formula.

Examples of No Changes to Formula

• PolyTerra PLA → Panchroma Matte: Increased recommended print speeds
• PolyLite ASA → Polymaker ASA: Updated speed capabilities without formula changes
• Polymide CF-Nylon → Fiberon CF-Nylon: When we rebranded our Polymide CF-Nylon line to the Fiberon brand name, the formula did not change but our top recommended print speeds did.

Examples of Changes to Formula

• PolyLite PETG → Polymaker PETG: This was a brand new PETG formula we launched which made the PETG designed for high speed printing with improved layer adhesion.
• PolyLite Silk PLA → Panchroma Silk PLA: This was a brand new silk PLA formula designed to print at much faster speeds than traditional Silk PLA while maintaining a great shine.
• PolyLite PLA Pro → Polymaker PLA Pro: Once again, this was a brand new formula launched to accommodate high speed printing.

Important Considerations for Higher Speeds

1. Hardware Requirements Maximum recommended speeds are based on printers equipped with:

   • Direct drive extruders
   • High-flow hotends Printers without these features may not achieve the same results.
2. Volumetric Flow Limits Recommended speeds assume:

   • 0.4 mm nozzle
   • 0.2 mm layer height

   Increasing nozzle diameter or layer height increases volumetric flow. In these cases, linear print speed should be reduced accordingly to stay within the material’s melt capacity.
3. Print Quality and Stability Even when materials can handle higher speeds, other factors may be affected:

   • Increased risk of warping or delamination (especially for materials like ASA)
   • Reduced overhang quality
   • Surface finish changes (e.g., more matte appearance at excessive speeds)

   For example, Polymaker ASA may support speeds up to 200 mm/s (or 16 mm³/s max volumetric flow), but achieving consistent results at these speeds may require:

   • Elevated chamber temperatures
   • Optimized cooling and enclosure conditions

Key Takeaway

Updated printing parameters reflect often advancements in 3D printer hardware - not always changes in material formulation. Users should interpret these values as achievable targets on modern, properly equipped machines, while adjusting based on their specific setup.