Conductive PLA Settings for Voxelab Aquila
Recommended slicer settings for printing Conductive PLA on the Voxelab Aquila (220 x 220 x 250 mm build volume, 180 mm/s max speed, Bowden extruder).
Slicer Configuration
Copy these values into your slicer (Cura, OrcaSlicer, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio)| Setting | Value | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle Temperature | 215°C | 200-230°C |
| Bed Temperature | 55°C | 50-60°C |
| First Layer Nozzle | 220°C | +5°C above normal |
| First Layer Bed | 60°C | +5°C above normal |
| Print Speed | 30 mm/s | 20-40 mm/s |
| First Layer Speed | 15 mm/s | 25-50% of normal |
| Wall Speed | 23 mm/s | 70-80% of normal |
| Travel Speed | 60 mm/s | 120-150% of print speed |
| Layer Height | 0.2mm | 0.12-0.28mm |
| Infill | 15-20% | 10-30% |
| Wall Count | 2-3 | Perimeters/shells |
| Top/Bottom Layers | 3-4 | Solid layers |
| Cooling Fan | 100% | From layer 2+ |
| Retraction Distance | 4-6 mm | Bowden |
| Retraction Speed | 40 mm/s | Bowden |
Before You Print
Print Quality Profiles
Three presets for common use cases with Conductive PLA on the Voxelab Aquila.
| Profile | Layer Height | Speed | Infill | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draft | 0.28mm | 40 mm/s | 10-15% | Rapid prototyping, test fits |
| Standard | 0.20mm | 30 mm/s | 15-20% | General purpose, everyday prints |
| Quality | 0.12mm | 20 mm/s | 20-30% | Miniatures, display pieces, fine detail |
Bed Adhesion
Conductive PLA adheres like standard PLA. Use a clean PEI sheet or glass bed with glue stick. Handle prints carefully — the conductive carbon particles can leave residue on build surfaces.
Temperature Tuning Guide
Nozzle: 215°C
Range: 200-230°C. Printer max: 260°C.
- Poor layer adhesion? Increase +5°C
- Stringing or oozing? Decrease -5°C
- Print a temperature tower to find your exact sweet spot
Bed: 55°C
Range: 50-60°C. Printer max: 100°C.
- First layer lifting? Increase +5°C
- Elephant's foot? Decrease -5°C
- Let the bed fully preheat before starting
Troubleshooting Conductive PLA on Voxelab Aquila
Pro Tips for Conductive PLA
Resistance varies with print orientation; Z-axis conductivity is lower than XY-axis
Print at consistent speed and temperature for the most uniform electrical properties
Best for capacitive touch sensors, LED circuits, and low-voltage applications
Not suitable for high-current applications; resistance is in the kOhm range per cm
Support Settings
For prints requiring supports with Conductive PLA, 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.
Voxelab Aquila Specs
| Build Volume | 220 x 220 x 250 mm |
| Max Speed | 180 mm/s |
| Max Nozzle Temp | 260°C |
| Max Bed Temp | 100°C |
| Extruder | Bowden |
Conductive PLA Properties
| Nozzle Range | 200-230°C |
| Bed Range | 50-60°C |
| Speed Range | 20-40 mm/s |
| Difficulty | intermediate |
| Drying | Not required |
| Enclosure | Not needed |
Conductive PLA at a Glance
Strengths
- Electrically conductive — can create touch sensors
- Useful for prototyping simple circuits
- Prints on standard PLA settings
- Enables embedded electronics in prints
Weaknesses
- High resistance — not suitable for power circuits
- Conductivity varies with print orientation
- Limited to black color
- More expensive than standard PLA
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Try 3DSearch →Sources: Based on manufacturer specifications and community recommendations, community testing data, manufacturer recommended ranges. Values calculated from filament specifications and printer hardware limits.