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3D Print Calculator

Calibrate prints for dimensional accuracy, flow, and shrinkage, estimate vase-mode time savings, and check PETG settings against a pre-print checklist.

Scale Factor Calculator

Use the Ukrainian gauge method. Print a test object, measure actual against target, and read back the correction factor for X/Y scaling.

Target Dimension (mm)

Actual Measurement (mm)

Flow Rate Calculator

Use the single-wall method. Print a hollow cube, measure the wall thickness, and calculate a new flow rate.

Current Flow (%)

Target Width (mm)

Measured Width (mm)

Calibration Warning

Per CNC Kitchen research, calibration cubes can make accuracy worse if you misuse them. The correction factor only holds at the calibrated size, so a 50mm calibration will be off at 70mm. The root cause is often material shrinkage rather than machine calibration, so use slicer shrinkage compensation first.

Compensation

Shrinkage Compensation

Material Shrinkage Calculator

Compensate for material shrinkage by scaling your model.

Material

Desired Dimension (mm)

Slicer Shrinkage Settings

OrcaSlicer: Filament Settings, then Shrinkage compensation.
Cura: Material settings, then Horizontal expansion (negative value).
PrusaSlicer: Scale the model manually or use a modifier.

Materials

PETG Settings

PETG is the recommended material for all operational components.

Why PETG?

PETG is the standard for operational components. PLA becomes brittle below 0°C and softens at 60°C. PETG handles temperature extremes, impacts, and outdoor conditions.

PETG Print Parameters

Parameter	Value	Notes
Nozzle Temp	`230-245°C`	Sweet spot 235-245°C
Bed Temp	`70-90°C`	85-90°C for best adhesion
First Layer	`230°C / 85°C`	Nozzle / Bed
Subsequent Layers	`240°C / 90°C`	Better layer adhesion
Print Speed	`35-50 mm/s`	Balance quality and strength
Layer Height	`0.2mm`	Max 2/3 nozzle diameter
Layer Width	`0.4-0.8mm`	1-2x nozzle diameter
Infill	`30-40%`	For structural parts
Fan Speed	`50-70%`	Not 100% like PLA
Retraction (Bowden)	`5-7mm @ 35-40mm/s`	Prevents stringing
Retraction (Direct)	`2-4mm @ 35-40mm/s`	Shorter path

Comparison

Material Comparison

Property	PLA	PETG	ABS
Heat Resistance	55-60°C	80-90°C	95-105°C
Impact Strength	Low (brittle)	High (flexes)	Medium
Outdoor Use	Poor	Good	Good
Print Difficulty	Easy	Medium	Hard (warps)
Enclosure Needed	No	No	Yes
Shrinkage	`~0.35%`	`~0.4%`	`~0.7%`
Field Use	Not recommended	Recommended	Acceptable

PLA Warning

From the Ukrainian field manual: "When heated to 60°C it loses hardness; when cooled it becomes brittle." Do not use PLA for operational components. Use PETG.

Production

Vase Mode

Spiral printing reduces production time by 50 to 67 percent.

Production Breakthrough

Vase mode (spiral printing) reduces print time by 50 to 67 percent. Ukrainian volunteers use this for mass production of stabilizer fins and similar components.

Time Comparison

Mode	Time	Method
Standard	`40 min`	Layer-by-layer with infill
Vase Mode	`13-19 min`	Continuous spiral, single wall

Settings

Slicer Configuration

; Special Modes
Spiralize Outer Contour: ON
Smooth Spiralized Contours: ON

; Shell
Wall Line Count: 1
Top Layers: 0
Bottom Layers: 0

; Infill
Infill Density: 0%

; Speed (for PETG)
Print Speed: 25-30 mm/s

; Cooling
Fan Speed: 50-70%
Minimum Layer Time: 2-3 sec

; Print Settings > Layers
Spiral vase: ON

; Perimeters (auto-set)
Perimeters: 1
Top solid layers: 0
Bottom solid layers: 0

; Infill (auto-set)
Fill density: 0%

; Speed
Perimeters: 25-30 mm/s

; Cooling
Min fan speed: 50%
Max fan speed: 100%
Min layer time: 3 sec

; Quality > Special mode
Spiral vase: ON

; Strength (auto-set)
Wall loops: 1
Top shell layers: 0
Bottom shell layers: 0
Sparse infill density: 0%

; Speed
Outer wall speed: 25-30 mm/s

; Cooling
Part cooling fan speed: 50-70%
Slow down for layer time: ON
Min layer time: 3 sec

Speed and Cooling Balance

For thin areas such as fin tips, standard settings leave the plastic undercooked. Enable dynamic cooling.

Parameter	Setting	Purpose
Normal Fan Speed	`50-70%`	Standard cooling
Max Fan Speed	`100%`	When layer time < threshold
Min Layer Time	`2-3 sec`	Triggers max cooling
Print Speed	`25-30 mm/s`	Slower for vase mode
Temperature	`+5-10°C`	Better adhesion, no stringing risk

Vase Mode Time Estimator

Estimate the time savings when you switch to vase mode.

Standard Print Time (min)

Equipment

Essential Equipment

These are the required tools for calibration and production.

Digital calipers
Critical for calibration
Hex key set (quality)
Not cheap kit tools
Nozzle wrench
For hot removal
Spare 0.4mm nozzles
Consumable item
0.6mm, 0.8mm nozzles
For vase mode and faster prints
Needle for nozzle cleaning
Fine tweezers
Quality SD card
Reliability is critical for long prints
Small flashlight
Brass cleaning brush
1kg PETG minimum
Starting material

Pre-Flight

Pre-Print Checklist

Bed leveled and trammed
Nozzle clean (no debris)
Filament dry (no moisture)
Critical for PETG
Bed surface clean
Correct material profile loaded
Enough filament for print
First layer monitored

Quality Control

Acceptable Tolerances

Check	Tolerance	Action if Failed
XYZ Cube Dimensions	`±0.1mm`	Re-calibrate
Wall Thickness	`±0.05mm`	Adjust flow rate
Test Fit (gauge)	Seats firmly	Adjust scale factor
Layer Adhesion	No delamination	Increase temp, slow down

Troubleshooting

Problem	Likely Cause	Solution
Stringing	Temp too high or retraction	Lower temp 5°C, increase retraction
Poor adhesion	Bed temp or gap	Increase bed temp, level bed
Layer separation	Temp too low or speed	Increase temp, slow down
Warping	Cooling or bed temp	Reduce fan, increase bed temp
Dimensional error (X/Y)	Belt tension	Check and adjust belts
Dimensional error (Z)	Lead screw or steps	Check lead screw, calibrate Z
Over-extrusion	Flow too high	Reduce flow 2-5%
Under-extrusion	Flow too low or clog	Increase flow, clean nozzle

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