Temperature Calibration

Why Calibrate Temperature?

Every filament, even of the same type, can have different optimal temperatures depending on the manufacturer, colorants, and additives. The right temperature affects:

Layer adhesion and strength
Surface quality and finish
Stringing and oozing
Bridging and overhang performance
Print speed capabilities

Running the Test

Open OrcaSlicer and go to Calibration > Temperature
Select your filament type (PLA, PETG, ABS, etc.)
The slicer will set appropriate temperature range:
- PLA: 190-230°C
- PETG: 220-260°C
- ABS: 230-270°C
Click "OK" to generate the temperature tower
Slice and print the model

Evaluating Results

Examine each temperature section of the tower for:

Feature	Too Hot	Too Cold	Optimal
Stringing	Lots of strings	Minimal	None or very little
Bridging	Droopy, sagging	Clean but may snap	Clean, strong bridges
Overhangs	Curling, drooping	Clean but weak	Clean, solid
Layer adhesion	Good to excessive	Weak, delaminates	Strong bond
Surface	Glossy, possibly blobby	Matte, rough	Consistent finish

Break Test

After printing, try breaking sections of the tower:

Too cold: Breaks easily between layers (delamination)
Too hot: Strong but may have other quality issues
Optimal: Breaks through the material, not between layers

Applying Results

Identify the section with the best overall quality
Note the temperature for that section
Update your filament profile with this temperature
Consider using slightly higher temp for first layer (+5°C)

Temperature Guidelines

Material	Typical Range	Start Point
PLA	190-220°C	210°C
PLA+	200-230°C	215°C
PETG	220-260°C	240°C
ABS	230-260°C	245°C
ASA	230-260°C	245°C
TPU	220-250°C	230°C

Pro Tip: Keep a log of optimal temperatures for each filament spool you use. Even the same brand and color can vary between batches.