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Learn to measure and compensate for plastic shrinkage in 3D printing through this comprehensive tutorial that addresses a commonly overlooked aspect of the printing process. Discover why most 3D printer users ignore shrinkage compensation and explore the impact of different filament types on dimensional accuracy. Follow along as the instructor demonstrates how to conduct shrinkage tests using various materials, examines whether using an enclosure affects shrinkage rates, and walks through the process of running test prints to gather accurate measurements. Master the calculations needed to determine shrinkage percentages and implement permanent adjustments in your slicer software to compensate for material contraction. Explore considerations for Z-axis shrinkage scaling and understand the challenges of working with existing models when applying shrinkage compensation. The tutorial includes practical examples using a community-designed Prusa XL enclosure project and provides downloadable test pieces for conducting your own shrinkage measurements.
