Precise filament calibration begins with accurate measurement. The micrometer is an indispensable tool for flow calibration in 3D printing. It enables pinpoint measurement of the wall thickness of calibration cubes printed in spiral vase mode and helps to reliably detect and correct under- and over-extrusion. Compared to calipers, the micrometer offers significantly higher measurement accuracy – ideal for reproducible print profiles, stable parts, and clean surfaces.

The application of the micrometer is practical and reproducible. A flow calibration cube with exactly one wall is printed in spiral vase mode. The wall thickness is then measured at several points with the micrometer and compared to the target value. The correct flow rate for the respective filament can be calculated from this deviation.

The detailed video from the 3D printing workshop clearly explains why this step is so crucial. It demonstrates how underextrusion (too little material, weak components) and overextrusion (scratching nozzle, unclean top surfaces, increased risk of print failures) affect the results in practice and why precise measurement makes all the difference.

In addition, you can find detailed instructions for manual flow calibration on the print workshop's website, as also demonstrated in the video. There, it explains step by step how to print an open cube in spiral vase mode, measure the wall thickness with a micrometer, and then correctly adjust the flow rate.

Based on this method, a calculation tool for flow calibration is also available, which allows the measured wall thicknesses to be directly converted into a new, precise flow value. The micrometer screw is the central tool for reliably and reproducibly acquiring the required measurements.

→ For instructions: Filament calibration

If the flow rate is set correctly, other calibrations such as temperature and pressure advance can be evaluated much more reliably. The result is more stable components, more uniform surfaces, and less waste – especially with technical prints and high-quality filaments.