What corrective action is necessary if a 3D print exhibits significant warping despite proper bed adhesion?
If a 3D print exhibits significant warping despite proper bed adhesion, the necessary corrective action is to improve the environmental temperature control and reduce thermal gradients within the part. Warping is primarily caused by differential cooling, where different parts of the print cool at different rates, leading to internal stresses that cause the part to lift from the build plate despite good initial adhesion. This can be addressed by using an enclosed build chamber to maintain a consistent ambient temperature, reducing drafts, and ensuring that the part cools down slowly and evenly. Adjusting the bed temperature slightly higher can also help, as can reducing the cooling fan speed or even disabling the fan for the initial layers. Additionally, modifying the part's design to minimize large, flat areas and sharp corners can reduce warping. For example, adding a brim (a wide, thin layer surrounding the base of the print) can increase the surface area in contact with the bed and improve adhesion, further mitigating warping. Selecting a material with lower thermal expansion coefficient can also lessen the issue.