HIPS Settings for FlashForge Creator 4

Temperature Settings

Start with the nozzle at 238°C and the bed at 100°C. If you see poor layer adhesion, increase the nozzle temperature by 5°C increments. If you experience stringing, decrease the nozzle temperature by 5°C. For the first layer, you can increase the bed temperature by 5°C for better adhesion, then let it drop back to 100°C for subsequent layers.

The HIPS filament has a recommended nozzle temperature range of 230-245°C and a bed temperature range of 90-110°C. The FlashForge Creator 4 supports nozzle temperatures up to 320°C and bed temperatures up to 120°C, which fully covers the recommended range for this filament.

Speed & Quality

For the FlashForge Creator 4, a print speed of 40-50 mm/s works well with HIPS. The first layer should be printed at 15-25 mm/s for solid bed adhesion. Outer walls at 70-80% of the main speed produce cleaner surface finishes.

For quality-critical prints like miniatures or display pieces, reduce the speed to 40 mm/s and use a 0.12-0.16mm layer height. For draft or rapid prototyping, you can push the speed to 50 mm/s with a 0.24-0.28mm layer height. The standard 0.2mm layer height at 45 mm/s provides the best balance of speed and quality for most prints.

Bed Adhesion

HIPS uses the same bed adhesion methods as ABS since it's typically printed alongside ABS. PEI sheets at high temperature work well. Use an enclosure.

Common Issues with HIPS on FlashForge Creator 4

Here are the most common problems you may encounter when printing HIPS on the FlashForge Creator 4, along with proven solutions:

• HIPS not dissolving: Use fresh D-Limonene and soak longer; the solvent loses potency over time
• Warping: Same as ABS -- use enclosure and high bed temperature
• Layer adhesion to ABS: Ensure both HIPS and ABS are printing at compatible temperatures
• Discoloration: Normal for HIPS; does not affect dissolving performance

Tips for Best Results

Follow these expert tips to get the best possible prints with HIPS on your FlashForge Creator 4:

• HIPS is designed to pair with ABS -- use the same enclosure and bed temp as your ABS settings
• D-Limonene is reusable but loses potency; replace when dissolution slows down significantly
• A brief soak to loosen supports, then manual removal, saves solvent and time
• HIPS can also be used as a standalone material -- it is lightweight and easy to paint
• Much more moisture-resistant than PVA, making storage and handling easier

Support Settings

HIPS is best used as a support material for ABS, dissolved in D-Limonene. For standalone HIPS prints, use tree or organic supports with 0.2mm interface gap.

HIPS at a Glance

FlashForge Creator 4 Specifications

The FlashForge Creator 4 features a 400 x 350 x 500 mm build volume with a maximum print speed of 250 mm/s. It uses a direct drive extruder system, which provides better control over flexible and specialty filaments. The hotend can reach 320°C and the heated bed supports temperatures up to 120°C.