<p>Printing polycarbonate requires a high end 3D printer that is suitable for the task.</p>
<p>From <a href="https://www.simplify3d.com/support/materials-guide/polycarbonate/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Simplify3d support</a> we learn that:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>... requires very high temperatures for printing and will <strong>exhibit layer separation if printed at too low of a temperature or with excessive cooling enabled</strong>. Polycarbonate is frequently <strong>best printed on a machine that has an enclosed build volume</strong> and is capable of handling high bed and extruder temperatures.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>High temperatures and enclosed build volume are key to print polycarbonate without cracking or delamination.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Any suggestions?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Note that NASA has successfully printed ULTEM (even higher temperatures needed) <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20170000214" rel="nofollow noreferrer">using open source hardware</a>. They have used infrared lamps directed at the build plate, this may be an option if a full enclosure is not possible. Also people seem to get good results with draft shields for printing ABS on non enclosed printers. Key is that a constant elevated temperature is created near the print, whether that works for such a large size remains to be seen. Best solution would be enclosing the printer.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-24T17:13:24.187Z
2021-11-24T17:13:24.187Z
0scar
<p>Sounds like your problem is cooling, which would be mitigated by an enclosure to eliminate draughts and hold a higher air temperature.</p>
<p>I made an enclosure using parts-on-hand and some printed PLA joiners.  It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive to work well.</p>
<p>Details are at <a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/18406/12956">https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/18406/12956</a></p>
<p>Next step is to sew some thermal &quot;curtains&quot; as sides and top.  As it is I simply hang some coats around the frame in the short term, and use a Pi camera inside to monitor the progress from remote.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-24T21:29:04.090Z
2021-11-24T21:29:04.090Z
Criggie
<p>Get a tent for growing smokey plants :)
Think about it, they can be of big sizes and maintain heat inside, reflective material on the inside.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-08-11T16:40:39.133Z
The idea of using an enclosure has already been mentioned in the other answer provided. Please [edit] your answer to provide additional details with supporting documentation/links.
agarza
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-08-11T16:34:53.787Z
2023-08-11T16:34:53.787Z
C Domingos
<p>I'm trying to print large objects (around 1 meter squared) with polycarbonate pellets. The problem is sometimes the print cracks. It is not due to delamination as it is a shear crack across multiple layers. I know the ideal scenario is to have a heated enclosure but I cannot do that due to the size. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>I am using a robotic arm (KUKA KR360) with a custom extruder. That is why I can't build the enclosure. As for the temperature, they are 230 to 260 °C. Nozzle is 10 mm.</p>
<hr />
<p><em>I like the idea of directed heat. I might try that.</em></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-24T15:19:32.673Z
You need to tell us what printer you are using, nozzle size and temps.
user77232
<print-quality><polycarbonate>
Large prints cracking
Husam Abu Zour
# Large prints cracking

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-11-24)

I'm trying to print large objects (around 1 meter squared) with polycarbonate pellets. The problem is sometimes the print cracks. It is not due to delamination as it is a shear crack across multiple layers. I know the ideal scenario is to have a heated enclosure but I cannot do that due to the size. Any suggestions?

I am using a robotic arm (KUKA KR360) with a custom extruder. That is why I can't build the enclosure. As for the temperature, they are 230 to 260 °C. Nozzle is 10 mm.

---

*I like the idea of directed heat. I might try that.*

**Tags:** print-quality, polycarbonate

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You need to tell us what printer you are using, nozzle size and temps.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2021-11-24. Score: 1

Printing polycarbonate requires a high end 3D printer that is suitable for the task.

From [Simplify3d support](https://www.simplify3d.com/support/materials-guide/polycarbonate/) we learn that:

> ... requires very high temperatures for printing and will **exhibit layer separation if printed at too low of a temperature or with excessive cooling enabled**. Polycarbonate is frequently **best printed on a machine that has an enclosed build volume** and is capable of handling high bed and extruder temperatures.

High temperatures and enclosed build volume are key to print polycarbonate without cracking or delamination.

> Any suggestions?

Note that NASA has successfully printed ULTEM (even higher temperatures needed) [using open source hardware](https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20170000214). They have used infrared lamps directed at the build plate, this may be an option if a full enclosure is not possible. Also people seem to get good results with draft shields for printing ABS on non enclosed printers. Key is that a constant elevated temperature is created near the print, whether that works for such a large size remains to be seen. Best solution would be enclosing the printer.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2021-11-24. Score: 0

Sounds like your problem is cooling, which would be mitigated by an enclosure to eliminate draughts and hold a higher air temperature.

I made an enclosure using parts-on-hand and some printed PLA joiners. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive to work well.

Details are at <https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/18406/12956>

Next step is to sew some thermal "curtains" as sides and top. As it is I simply hang some coats around the frame in the short term, and use a Pi camera inside to monitor the progress from remote.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2023-08-11. Score: -1

Get a tent for growing smokey plants :)
Think about it, they can be of big sizes and maintain heat inside, reflective material on the inside.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: The idea of using an enclosure has already been mentioned in the other answer provided. Please [edit] your answer to provide additional details with supporting documentation/links.  

---

