FDM printing is basically just melting plastic. So we’re using heat. So heat is good and more heat is better, right? Well, not always.

Heat creep is when the heat from the hot end of the nozzle travels up the filament and causes it to melt prematurely. This can result in clogging, warping, stringing, over extrusion, and poor print quality. Heat creep can be caused by several factors, such as poor thermal insulation, overheating of the hot end, insufficient cooling, or inappropriate settings.

Fortunately, there are some simple solutions to fix heat creep and prevent it from ruining your 3D prints. Here are four tips to help you deal with this issue:

• Check your extruder temperature. Make sure you are using the correct temperature for your filament type and adjust it if needed. A too high temperature can cause the filament to melt too much and leak from the nozzle. A too low temperature can cause under extrusion and poor layer adhesion.
• Improve your cooling system. A good cooling system can help dissipate the heat from the hot end and keep the filament solid until it reaches the nozzle. You can use a fan to blow air over the heat sink or add a heat break to separate the hot and cold zones of the extruder.
• Replace your PTFE tube. The PTFE tube is a plastic lining that guides the filament through the extruder. However, it can degrade over time and cause friction and heat buildup. You can replace it with a new one or use a different material that can withstand higher temperatures, such as metal or ceramic.
• Print slower and in smaller batches. Printing too fast or too many parts at once can generate more heat and stress on the extruder. You can reduce your printing speed and print one part at a time to avoid overheating and improve print quality.