HIPS

Kapton tape can be applied on top of your heated build platform, creating an ideal surface for HIPS to adhere to. Each layer of Kapton tape is about 0.1mm thick, so make sure to account for this in your first layer settings. You can make this adjustment in Simplify3D by increasing the global Z-axis offset on the G-Code tab of your process settings. PET sheets can also be applied over a glass bed to greatly enhance the adhesive properties while keeping the surface finish smooth. These solutions will all help to mitigate warping from your HIPS prints. If you need more suggestions on how to improve the bed adhesion, we have a section on our Print Quality Guide dedicated to this issue: How to Improve First Layer Adhesion.

To keep HIPS from contracting rapidly, you can try to increase the temperature surrounding the 3D printed part. This can be accomplished by enclosing the build environment and allowing the heated bed to slowly heat the air to the desired temperature. Some newer printers may actually include a heated chamber out-of-the-box which makes this process even easier. If you aren’t able to enclose the printer’s build volume on your own, you can also try using an ooze shield in Simplify3D, as this will create a shell that encases your model, allowing the air within that shell to stay at a higher temperature. This shield can also act as a wind block to keep colder air from rapidly cooling your freshly extruded plastic.

Printing with HIPS can require some extra care to ensure that each layer of the print is securely bonded to the prior layer. Otherwise, you may notice splitting or cracking between layers. To improve the bonding between layers, consider lowering your layer height or increasing the extruder temperature. Both of these changes will help improve the adhesion between layers. If you want more information on how to combat this issue, please refer to our Print Quality Guide which contains an entire section dedicated to this issue: Layer Separation and Splitting.