# Printing tips

## <mark style="color:red;">What material should I use?</mark> <a href="#what-material-should-i-use" id="what-material-should-i-use"></a>

ZeroG printers are designed to be printed using ABS or ASA. This means we’ve included tolerances for material shrinkage in our models.

It’s recommended to print your ABS or ASA parts inside of an enclosure, this will greatly increase layer strength.

{% hint style="info" %}
We find that parts printed in ABS+ are **weaker in layer adhesion** compared to non ABS+ filaments. Although easier to print, they’re **easier to break**.\
We’re aware that not every blend of ABS+ is equal, however it’s what we found with the ABS+ we tested.
{% endhint %}

## <mark style="color:red;">Calibration print</mark> <a href="#calibration-print" id="calibration-print"></a>

Check it out now! You can find it [here](https://www.printables.com/model/369447-zerog-abs-callibration-print). This test print will assist you in determining the proper fitment of dowel pins, heatsets, and bolts, as well as testing the bridging and overhangs. The printable pages description will provide you with the necessary settings to use.

## <mark style="color:red;">Analyzing a break</mark> <a href="#analyzing-a-break" id="analyzing-a-break"></a>

Great! Let's use this moment to check your layer adhesion. We mostly use our Steppers mounts or X Joints to check the adhesion. \
Below you’ll find a picture of a collection of breaks, on how it **should** look.

&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://docs2.zerog.one/images/universal_tips_advise/examples/break_samples.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### <mark style="color:red;">**Example 1 -**</mark> <mark style="color:red;"></mark><mark style="color:red;">X Joint</mark>

Shows a break going across multiple layers. A break on multiple layers indicates good layer adhesion.

### <mark style="color:red;">**Example 2**</mark> <mark style="color:red;"></mark><mark style="color:red;">- Stepper mount break</mark>

White stress marks showing on the break but nothing on multiple layers. White stress mark on plastic indicates force was needed to seperate the layers.

### <mark style="color:red;">**Example 3**</mark> <mark style="color:red;"></mark><mark style="color:red;">- x joint</mark>

The part has been printed with a .6 nozzle showing a gap between the outer perimeter and the inner perimeters. It’s still a strong part, the break goes across multiple layers.

## <mark style="color:red;">Filament choices</mark> <a href="#filament-choices" id="filament-choices"></a>

### <mark style="color:red;">Materials we recommend</mark> <a href="#materials-we-recommend" id="materials-we-recommend"></a>

We've got a few materials that we do recommend, we've also listed some alternatives without a rating (1-5).

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Material</th><th>Recommended</th><th>Note/Info</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>ASA</td><td>⭐⭐⭐⭐</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>ASA-CF</td><td>⭐⭐⭐⭐</td><td>Carbon Filled ASA also helps prevent warping while printing</td></tr><tr><td>ABS</td><td>⭐⭐⭐</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>ABS-CF</td><td>⭐⭐⭐</td><td>Carbon Filled ABS also helps prevent warping while printing</td></tr></tbody></table>

### <mark style="color:red;">Filament brands that we recommend</mark> <a href="#filament-brands-that-we-recommend" id="filament-brands-that-we-recommend"></a>

* [Polymaker](https://us.polymaker.com/?aff=282)
* Bambulab
* LDO ABS
* 3DO

### <mark style="color:red;">Filament colors that we DO NOT recommend</mark> <a href="#filament-colors-that-we-do-not-recommend" id="filament-colors-that-we-do-not-recommend"></a>

1. **White** - You can, but we don’t recommend it. The pigment shows a ton of flaws and causes weak layer adhesion.


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