{"id":923,"date":"2022-01-07T22:18:28","date_gmt":"2022-01-07T22:18:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/makemendel.com\/?p=923"},"modified":"2022-02-11T02:02:39","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T02:02:39","slug":"how-long-does-3d-printer-filament-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/makemendel.com\/how-long-does-3d-printer-filament-last\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does 3d printer filament last (Facts & Solutions)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
One concern you will always have with your 3D printer is how long the filament will last. Because the filament runs out mid-print, you just end up with a wasted 3D printed model. Also, it can cause issues with your 3D printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another reason you should be aware of how long does 3D printer filament last is the cost factor. You will need to know how long they last to determine how much you need for your projects. Depending on that, you will have a cost of filament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That’s why I have got all the information you need regarding this matter. You will get to know how long filament lasts on a 3D printer, and I will also share some ways to increase the duration. So, could you stick with me till the end?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am using 1kg worth of filament as a reference point to make it easier for you. So, here I will be mainly discussing 1kg filament. How long does it last, how many projects you can do with it, what settings you will be working with, and so on?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, answering this question isn’t as easy as you would expect. Because many things determine how you use the filament for your project. Even the size of the project has a lot to do with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I mean, when you are printing a large model, you can run out of 1kg filament pretty quickly and easily. Compared to that, when you print smaller models, 1kg of the filament may last for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You have to print more oversized items like cosplay costumes and props. In that case, you may need about 10kg worth of filament to complete the whole project. So, 1kg filament in that scenario won’t last for that long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the other hand, if you are printing smaller items like miniatures, you may use 1Kg filament for months. It truly depends on what project you are working on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another factor that greatly impacts the longevity of 3D filament is the flow rate. A higher flow rate will make the filament run out quickly. Here’s an example to make it easier for understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s say you need 500g of filament to print a model, and it lasts about 45 hours. Here, you will be using a nozzle size of around 0.4mm to start the printing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To print the same model, if you start using a nozzle size of 0.1mm, this will increase the flow rate. As a result, the prints will be done much faster. However, you will use 625g of filament to print the same model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, you can see the nozzle size and flow rate of your print settings have a lot to play on the longevity of your filament. This brings up the question, why would you use a different flow rate or nozzle size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, the answer is pretty simple, you want to save time. When you have to print your models in a hurry, a bigger nozzle size and higher flow rate will yield quicker results. But to get that immediate result, you will need to use more filament than usual; that’s just the price you have to pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How much filament your printer uses and utilizes can also be a factor in longevity. That’s how you get efficiency out of your 3D printer. A printer that uses a lower amount of filament for printing the same models is much more efficient than a printer that uses more material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The speed also matters. When using a printer that can print models quickly, you don’t need to opt for that higher flow rate anymore. You can still get your projects done within a short amount of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with that, other printer settings can also impact how much filament you will be using and how long it will last. However, the difference in this factor isn’t that noticeable between printers as long as they are pretty similar in size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The infill percentage has a huge role to play in how long your filament will last. This can create a big difference compared to all the other factors. Because when you use a higher infill percentage, you will end up using a lot of filaments on that. However, it’s not necessary to use a higher infill percentage in some cases. So, this is where you can quickly go wrong with the filament use of your prints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While having an infill is essential for the rigidity and stability of the print, it’s also essential to maintain filament usage. You don’t want to waste filament on unnecessary infill patterns and percentages. Make sure you choose the correct infill pattern for your project to save up on filament usage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some infill patterns require a lot of material, while some can quickly be done. However, the patterns requiring more material also provide better stability and strength in the printed models. So, making a decision here can get very difficult at times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, these are the things that impact how long your filament lasts. To estimate, if you are working on larger projects with constant settings, 1kg of filament can last a few days. You can barely complete a large project using 1kg of filament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if you are working on smaller projects, you can expect them to last half a month or so with constant settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n