PVA Settings for UltiMaker S3

Temperature Settings

Start with the nozzle at 200°C and the bed at 55°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 55°C for subsequent layers.

The PVA filament has a recommended nozzle temperature range of 185-215°C and a bed temperature range of 50-60°C. The UltiMaker S3 supports nozzle temperatures up to 280°C and bed temperatures up to 85°C, which fully covers the recommended range for this filament.

Speed & Quality

The UltiMaker S3 supports high-speed printing at up to 300 mm/s. For PVA, we recommend 20-30 mm/s for general printing. Start with the lower end for quality-critical prints and increase for draft prints. Always print the first layer at 25-50% of your normal speed for better adhesion.

For quality-critical prints like miniatures or display pieces, reduce the speed to 20 mm/s and use a 0.12-0.16mm layer height. For draft or rapid prototyping, you can push the speed to 30 mm/s with a 0.24-0.28mm layer height. The standard 0.2mm layer height at 25 mm/s provides the best balance of speed and quality for most prints.

Bed Adhesion

PVA is used as a support material and should adhere to whatever build surface your main material uses. Use a bed temperature of 50-60°C.

Common Issues with PVA on UltiMaker S3

Here are the most common problems you may encounter when printing PVA on the UltiMaker S3, along with proven solutions:

• PVA not dissolving: Use warmer water (up to 45°C) and change the water periodically
• Filament brittle/snapping: Moisture damage -- dry at 50°C for 4-6 hours or replace the spool
• PVA not sticking to main material: Ensure compatible temperatures between PVA and the main filament
• Clogging: PVA is sensitive to heat; avoid leaving it idle in the hotend at high temperatures

Tips for Best Results

Follow these expert tips to get the best possible prints with PVA on your UltiMaker S3:

• Store PVA in an airtight container at all times -- it literally dissolves in moisture
• Print from a dry box and use the spool immediately after opening
• Warm water (40-45°C) with gentle agitation dissolves PVA much faster
• PVA works best with PLA as the main material due to similar print temperatures
• Only use PVA when support quality truly matters -- it is expensive and moisture-sensitive

Support Settings

PVA is itself a support material. Dissolve in warm water (up to 45°C) after printing. Set support interface Z-distance to 0mm for water-soluble supports.

PVA at a Glance

UltiMaker S3 Specifications

The UltiMaker S3 features a 230 x 190 x 200 mm build volume with a maximum print speed of 300 mm/s. It uses a direct drive extruder system, which provides better control over flexible and specialty filaments. The hotend can reach 280°C and the heated bed supports temperatures up to 85°C.