First, understand the basic characteristics of PLA

PLA is a bio-based material made from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane. Its glass transition temperature is about 60°C, and its melting point is usually between 170–180 C.. In 3D printing, the recommended printing temperature range is generally between 180°C and 220°C, depending on the brand, formula and complexity of the printed object.

Second, refer to the manufacturer's suggested temperature

Different brands of PLA wire have slightly different formulas, so their recommended printing temperatures are also different. Most manufacturers will provide the recommended printing temperature range in packaging or official website. Generally, the recommended nozzle temperature of standard PLA is 190–210 C; However, some high-performance PLA (such as PLA+) may need higher temperature, such as 200–220 C. Users should first refer to these data as the basis for setting the initial temperature.

Third, consider the complexity of the printed object
　　The choice of printing temperature should also be combined with the structural complexity of the model For models with rich details and high requirements for interlayer bonding, properly increasing the printing temperature is helpful to strengthen interlayer bonding and improve the strength of finished products. For simple structure or quick proofing, the temperature can be lowered appropriately to reduce the risk of wire drawing and nozzle blockage.

Fourth, adjust the temperature according to the printing effect.

In the actual printing process, users should make fine adjustments according to the real-time printing effect:

-If there is wire drawing (that is, the nozzle pulls out filaments when moving), it means that the temperature may be too high, and you can try to reduce it by about 5 C..
　　-If there is poor extrusion and poor interlayer bonding, the temperature may be too low. At this time, the temperature should be gradually increased by 5 C until the extrusion is smooth and the interlayer bonding is good.

-Observe the adhesion of the first layer: if the temperature is too low, the first layer may not adhere to the platform well. It is suggested that the printing temperature of the first layer be 5–10 C higher than normal.

V. Influence of environmental factors

Although PLA is less sensitive to cooling, the printing temperature may need to be adjusted properly in high or low temperature environment. For example, in a well-ventilated environment, heat is easily dissipated, and it may be necessary to appropriately increase the nozzle temperature to ensure good fluidity and adhesion of materials.

Six, combined with cooling settings to optimize the print quality

When PLA is printed, it is usually necessary to turn on the fan for cooling, but too strong cooling may affect the interlayer adhesion. Therefore, the cooling setting should also be considered when setting the printing temperature. When printing a model with complex structure or requiring high strength, the temperature can be appropriately increased and the fan speed can be reduced; When printing high-detail models, cooling can be increased at a proper temperature to obtain clearer edges.

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To sum up, choosing a suitable printing temperature is one of the keys to ensure the success of PLA printing. Users should consider the brand of materials, printing demand, environmental conditions and printing effect to make flexible adjustments. Through continuous practice and optimization, we can find the most suitable temperature setting for the current printing task, thus improving the printing quality and efficiency. Remember, the printing temperature is not static, it needs to be dynamically adjusted according to the specific situation, in order to really give full play to the advantages of PLA materials.