PA12-CF Settings for Longer LK5 Pro

Temperature Settings

Start with the nozzle at 260°C and the bed at 90°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 90°C for subsequent layers.

The PA12-CF filament has a recommended nozzle temperature range of 260-280°C and a bed temperature range of 80-100°C. The Longer LK5 Pro supports nozzle temperatures up to 260°C and bed temperatures up to 110°C, which fully covers the recommended range for this filament.

Speed & Quality

For the Longer LK5 Pro, a print speed of 25-45 mm/s works well with PA12-CF. 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 25 mm/s and use a 0.12-0.16mm layer height. For draft or rapid prototyping, you can push the speed to 45 mm/s with a 0.24-0.28mm layer height. The standard 0.2mm layer height at 35 mm/s provides the best balance of speed and quality for most prints.

Bed Adhesion

PA12-CF requires strong bed adhesion at high temperatures. Use a PEI sheet or Garolite (G10) sheet at 80-100°C. A brim is essential for most prints. Glue stick or Magigoo PA adhesive provides the best results. Print from a dry box to avoid moisture-related adhesion failures.

Common Issues with PA12-CF on Longer LK5 Pro

Here are the most common problems you may encounter when printing PA12-CF on the Longer LK5 Pro, along with proven solutions:

• Nozzle wear: Hardened steel nozzle is mandatory; carbon fibers destroy brass nozzles rapidly
• Warping and delamination: Ensure enclosure is sealed, bed at 80-100°C, and fan at 0-10%
• Bubbling or popping: Filament is wet -- dry at 80°C for 12+ hours and print from a dry box
• Poor layer adhesion: Increase nozzle temperature by 5°C and ensure filament is thoroughly dry

Tips for Best Results

Follow these expert tips to get the best possible prints with PA12-CF on your Longer LK5 Pro:

• An all-metal hotend is mandatory for the 260-280°C range required by PA12-CF
• Always print from a dry box -- PA12-CF absorbs moisture that ruins print quality
• Use a hardened steel nozzle (0.5mm+) to handle the abrasive carbon fibers
• Seal your enclosure thoroughly; PA12-CF warps aggressively in drafts
• PA12-CF is easier to print than PA6-CF and absorbs less moisture -- a good entry point to nylon-CF printing

Support Settings

For prints requiring supports with PA12-CF, 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.

PA12-CF at a Glance

Longer LK5 Pro Specifications

The Longer LK5 Pro features a 300 x 300 x 400 mm build volume with a maximum print speed of 180 mm/s. It uses a Bowden extruder system, which is lighter on the print head but may require additional tuning for flexible filaments like TPU. The hotend can reach 260°C and the heated bed supports temperatures up to 110°C.