Fast over/under retraction test

thingiverse

Retraction has a massive impact on print quality, especially in areas with intricate details and thin sections. The ideal retraction settings can vary significantly between different materials, requiring precise calibration for each type - including the high-end ones. To test retraction settings, I designed a small object that demands a lot of retractions while minimizing filament waste. This design takes approximately 13 minutes to complete on my machine, but issues usually become apparent halfway through the print. Print this object with standard settings: no support, minimal infill, and your usual printing parameters. Two moderate retractions will result in noticeable stringing. Conversely, excessive retraction can cause missing layers and extremely brittle legs. In extreme cases, too much retraction may even prevent the 4 legs from printing altogether, while severely compromising the base's surface quality. Check out my other calibration piece at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1622868