How does a lack of temperature control affect FDM printing?

A lack of temperature control significantly impacts Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) printing, primarily because temperature plays a critical role in the melting and flow characteristics of the filament used during the printing process.

When the extrusion temperature is too low, the filament may not melt sufficiently, resulting in poor extrusion. This can lead to under-extruded layers, which manifest as gaps or weak spots in the printed object. If the filament does not flow smoothly, the consistency of the printed material becomes compromised, ultimately affecting the structural integrity of the final product.

Furthermore, inadequate temperature control can prevent proper adhesion between layers. For a print to achieve optimal strength and durability, each layer must bond effectively to the one beneath it. If the material is not heated to the right temperature, it may not adhere firmly, leading to delamination or layer separation during or after the print.

In contrast, if the temperature is too high, it can cause excessive oozing, stringing, or even burn the filament, which can also degrade the quality of the print. Therefore, maintaining the correct temperature is essential to ensuring that the filament is extruded properly and that layers adhere as intended. This illustrates why precise temperature control is vital for successful FDM printing.