3d Calcs
CONFIG:
130 W
$0.15/kWh
$20.00/kg spool
Calibration & Motion MODULE

Filament Shrinkage & Dimensional Accuracy Calculator

Compensate for thermal polymer shrinkage across PLA, PETG, ABS, and Nylon with exact model scaling percentages for your slicer.

Typical Polymer Shrinkage Rates
mm

e.g. 100mm calibration cross or 20mm cube.

mm

Measured after model has cooled completely to room temp.

Where to Apply This in Your Slicer
OrcaSlicer / Bambu Studio:

Open Filament Settings → Filament → Shrinkage. Enter the measured shrinkage rate directly (e.g. 99.2% or 0.8%).

PrusaSlicer / Cura:

Select the object and set the uniform Scale % in the scale tool (e.g. 100.81%).

Slicer CompensationScale %
100.81%slicer scale
Shrinkage Rate
0.80%
thermal contraction
Dimension Delta
-0.80 mm
too small
Diagnostic Summary:

The print shrank by 0.8 mm (0.8%). Set your slicer model scale to 100.81%.

Formula: Scale % = (Target / Actual) × 100
01 / PROTOCOL

Measurement & Operating Instructions

STEP 01

1. Print Test Coupon

Print a 100mm cross or 50mm gauge block in your target filament.

STEP 02

2. Let Cool Completely

Wait until the part reaches room temperature before taking caliper measurements.

STEP 03

3. Apply Scale Factor

Input the scale factor into your slicer model scale or filament shrinkage profile.

02 / MATHEMATICS

Polymer Thermal Contraction Formulation

Thermoplastics shrink when cooling from extrusion temperatures (~210-260°C) to room temperature (22°C).

Slicer Scale % = (Target CAD Dimension / Actual Printed Dimension) × 100
Real-World Worked Benchmark:

A 100.0mm test cross prints at 99.2mm in ABS (0.80mm shrinkage). Scale % = (100.0 / 99.2) × 100 = 100.81%. In OrcaSlicer, enter 99.2% filament shrinkage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which 3D printing filaments shrink the most?
Semi-crystalline engineering polymers shrink the most: Polypropylene (~1.5%-2.5%), Nylon PA6/PA12 (~1.0%-2.0%), and ABS/ASA (~0.6%-1.0%). Amorphous filaments like PLA (~0.2%-0.4%) and PETG (~0.3%-0.5%) have minimal shrinkage.
How do I apply shrinkage compensation in Bambu Studio or OrcaSlicer?
In Filament Settings under "Filament Properties", adjust the "Shrinkage" percentage (e.g. 99.2% for ABS). The slicer automatically scales the X and Y axes outward during slicing so the cooled part matches CAD dimensions.
Does filament shrinkage differ between the XY plane and Z axis?
Yes. Because layers are compressed vertically during extrusion, cooling shrinkage is predominantly horizontal in the XY plane. Z-axis shrinkage is typically 30% to 50% less than XY shrinkage.
How does a heated chamber reduce plastic shrinkage?
A heated enclosure (45°C-65°C) slows the polymer crystallization and thermal contraction rate, allowing internal stresses to relax before the part drops below its glass transition temperature (Tg).
How do carbon fiber fillers affect shrinkage?
Chopped carbon fibers or glass fibers act as internal mechanical anchors that resist thermal contraction, reducing shrinkage by up to 50% and dramatically improving dimensional stability in materials like CF-PETG and CF-Nylon.
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