TPU 87A Settings for Bambu Lab X1 Carbon
Recommended slicer settings for printing TPU 87A on the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon (256 x 256 x 256 mm build volume, 500 mm/s max speed, direct drive extruder).
Slicer Configuration
Copy these values into your slicer (Cura, OrcaSlicer, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio)| Setting | Value | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle Temperature | 223°C | 210-235°C |
| Bed Temperature | 50°C | 40-60°C |
| First Layer Nozzle | 228°C | +5°C above normal |
| First Layer Bed | 55°C | +5°C above normal |
| Print Speed | 18 mm/s | 10-25 mm/s |
| First Layer Speed | 15 mm/s | 25-50% of normal |
| Wall Speed | 14 mm/s | 70-80% of normal |
| Travel Speed | 38 mm/s | 120-150% of print speed |
| Layer Height | 0.2mm | 0.12-0.28mm |
| Infill | 15-20% | 10-30% |
| Wall Count | 3-4 | Perimeters/shells |
| Top/Bottom Layers | 5-6 | Solid layers |
| Cooling Fan | 100% | From layer 2+ |
| Retraction Distance | 0.8-1.2 mm | Direct drive |
| Retraction Speed | 40 mm/s | Direct drive |
Before You Print
Print Quality Profiles
Three presets for common use cases with TPU 87A on the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon.
| Profile | Layer Height | Speed | Infill | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draft | 0.28mm | 25 mm/s | 10-15% | Rapid prototyping, test fits |
| Standard | 0.20mm | 18 mm/s | 15-20% | General purpose, everyday prints |
| Quality | 0.12mm | 10 mm/s | 20-30% | Miniatures, display pieces, fine detail |
Bed Adhesion
TPU 87A (Shore 87A, very soft) adheres well to PEI sheets and painter's tape. The extreme flexibility makes bed removal easy. Slow first-layer speed is critical for consistent adhesion.
Temperature Tuning Guide
Nozzle: 223°C
Range: 210-235°C. Printer max: 300°C.
- Poor layer adhesion? Increase +5°C
- Stringing or oozing? Decrease -5°C
- Print a temperature tower to find your exact sweet spot
Bed: 50°C
Range: 40-60°C. Printer max: 120°C.
- First layer lifting? Increase +5°C
- Elephant's foot? Decrease -5°C
- Let the bed fully preheat before starting
Troubleshooting TPU 87A on Bambu Lab X1 Carbon
Pro Tips for TPU 87A
Shore 87A is very soft and difficult to print -- only attempt with direct drive extruders
Print extremely slowly: 15-25 mm/s; even experienced users struggle above 30 mm/s
Almost no retraction (0-0.3mm) -- the material is too soft for conventional retraction
Results are rewarding: 87A produces rubber-like parts with excellent elasticity
Support Settings
For prints requiring supports with TPU 87A, use tree supports for easier removal and less scarring. Set a 0.15-0.2mm Z-distance between support and model. If you have a dual-extruder setup, consider PVA (for PLA/PETG) or HIPS (for ABS) as dedicated water/solvent-soluble support material.
Bambu Lab X1 Carbon Specs
| Build Volume | 256 x 256 x 256 mm |
| Max Speed | 500 mm/s |
| Max Nozzle Temp | 300°C |
| Max Bed Temp | 120°C |
| Extruder | Direct Drive |
TPU 87A Properties
| Nozzle Range | 210-235°C |
| Bed Range | 40-60°C |
| Speed Range | 10-25 mm/s |
| Difficulty | advanced |
| Drying | 50°C / 5h |
| Enclosure | Not needed |
TPU 87A at a Glance
Strengths
- Very soft and flexible — Shore 87A
- Ideal for gaskets, seals, soft grips
- Excellent shock absorption
- Stretches 500%+ before breaking
Weaknesses
- Direct drive extruder required
- Extremely slow print speeds
- Very difficult to control retraction
- Prone to jamming in Bowden tubes
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Try 3DSearch →Sources: Based on Bambu Lab Wiki (wiki.bambulab.com), community testing data, manufacturer recommended ranges. Values calculated from filament specifications and printer hardware limits.