Printing Settings for Automotive Parts

Layer Heights, Walls, Infill & Adhesion Strategies

Dial in your slicer settings for strong, reliable automotive parts. Learn what actually matters for functional prints.

Quick Reference: Material Settings

Material	Nozzle	Bed	Speed	Cooling
PETG	230-250°C	70-85°C	40-60mm/s	50-100%
ABS	230-250°C	100-110°C	40-50mm/s	0-20%
ASA	240-260°C	90-110°C	40-50mm/s	0-30%
Nylon	250-270°C	60-80°C	30-50mm/s	0-50%
CF-PETG	240-260°C	70-85°C	35-50mm/s	50-80%

Layer Height Guide

Layer height affects print time, surface finish, and strength. For most automotive parts, 0.20mm is the sweet spot.

0.12mm

Fine detail, visible surfaces, small parts

Time: Slow (2-3x normal)Strength: Good surface, slightly weaker layer bonds

0.20mm

Standard automotive parts, good balance

Time: NormalStrength: Best all-around strength

0.28mm

Brackets, hidden parts, prototypes

Time: FastStrength: Strongest layer adhesion

Wall Count (Perimeters)

Walls matter more than infill for automotive parts. More walls = stronger parts that resist bending and snapping.

2 walls (0.8mm)

Weak - will crack easily

Prototypes, test fits

3 walls (1.2mm)

Strong with 70-80% infill - flexible, dimensionally accurate

Clips, fasteners, functional parts (recommended)

4 walls (1.6mm)

Very strong - less flex than 3 walls

Brackets, thicker parts

5+ walls (2.0mm+)

Maximum rigidity - best for large, solid parts

Solid parts, maximum rigidity

Recommendation: 3 walls with 70-80% infill for clips that need flex. 4+ walls for rigid brackets.

Infill Patterns

Pattern matters more than percentage. Gyroid is ideal for automotive parts.

Grid

Good

Fast to print, uniform support

Gyroid

Excellent

Best strength-to-weight, no weak axes

Honeycomb

Very Good

Good compression resistance

Triangular

Good

Fast, decent all-around

Lightning

Low

Minimal material, not for strength

Recommendation: Gyroid at 50-70% for clips/brackets. 80%+ for maximum durability.

Support Settings

Use tree supports for organic shapes - easier removal, less scarring
Set support density to 15-20% for easy removal
Enable support interface (2-3 layers) for cleaner surfaces
Use soluble supports (PVA) for complex internal geometries
Orient parts to minimize support contact with visible surfaces
Z distance of 0.2mm helps with support removal

Bed Adhesion

Brim (5-10mm)

Use for: Default for most automotive partsEasy removal, prevents corner lifting

Raft

Use for: Dimensional accuracy, small footprints, ABS/ASAZ offset normalization eliminates elephant's foot. Most consistent first layers across parts.

Skirt only

Use for: Parts with large flat basesPrimes nozzle, no adhesion help

Glue stick

Use for: PETG on glass, NylonApply thin layer, helps release too

Hair spray

Use for: Glass beds, PLA/PETG/ABSCheap and effective. Aqua Net works well. Reapply every few prints.

Vision Miner Nano Polymer Adhesive

Use for: Most surfaces: glass, PEI, G10/FR4, BuildTak, flex platesPremium adhesive. Great for Nylon and high-temp materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I prioritize walls or infill for strength?

Both matter. For automotive clips and brackets, use 3-4 walls with 50-80% infill. Walls handle bending stress; infill handles compression.

What layer height is best for functional parts?

0.20mm is the sweet spot for automotive parts. It balances print speed, surface quality, and layer adhesion. Use 0.28mm for hidden parts where appearance doesn't matter.

Do I need supports for every overhang?

Most printers handle 45° overhangs without supports. Test your printer. For automotive parts, orient to minimize overhangs when possible.

What speed should I use for functional parts?

40-50mm/s is safe for PETG/ABS/ASA functional parts. Slower speeds improve layer adhesion. Don't chase speed for parts that need to survive in a car.

How do I prevent warping on large flat parts?

Use a brim, increase bed temp, add mouse ears to corners in slicer, and consider splitting large parts. Enclosure is essential for ABS/ASA.

Troubleshooting

Layers separate or delaminate

Increase nozzle temp 5-10°C. Reduce cooling fan. Check for moisture in filament. Increase flow rate slightly. Ensure enclosure for ABS/ASA.

Part warps during print

Increase bed temp. Add brim or raft. Use enclosure for ABS/ASA. Enable draft shield. Check for drafts near printer.

Supports won't remove cleanly

Increase Z distance (0.2-0.25mm). Reduce support density to 15%. Use tree supports. Enable support interface with 0.1mm gap.

First layer doesn't stick

Level bed properly. Increase first layer line width to 120%. Slow first layer to 20mm/s. Clean bed with IPA. Apply glue stick if needed.

Stringing between parts

Increase retraction (PETG: 5-7mm, direct drive: 1-2mm). Enable coasting and wipe. Lower temp 5°C. Dry filament.

Learn More

Deep dive into walls vs infill or learn how to finish your parts.

Walls vs Infill Guide Finishing Guide