Silk PLA on Bambu Lab X1 Carbon

Nozzle Temp

220 °C

Range: 200 – 230 °C

Bed Temp

55 °C

Range: 25 – 60 °C

Print Speed

50

mm/s · max 60

Layer Height

0.20

mm · max 0.28

Fan Speed

100 %

1st layer: 0 %

1st Layer Speed

20

mm/s

Retraction

0.8 mm

@ 30 mm/s

Nozzle Type

Hardened

Stock 0.4 mm

Retraction Note

• If Silk PLA strings, drop the nozzle 5 °C before increasing retraction, and keep retraction at 1.0 mm or less.

Settings

Recommended

Range

Nozzle Temperature

215 – 225 °C

200 – 230 °C

Bed Temperature

50 – 60 °C

25 – 60 °C (lower end on a Cool Plate)

Print Speed

40 – 60 mm/s

data sheet: 40 – 60 mm/s

First Layer Speed

20 mm/s

slower is better for adhesion

Layer Height

0.16 – 0.24 mm

0.12 – 0.28 mm

Fan Speed (Normal)

100 %

–

Fan Speed (1st Layer)

0 %

–

Retraction Distance

0.8 mm

Direct drive, no more than 1.0 mm

Retraction Speed

30 mm/s

–

Nozzle Type

Hardened steel (stock)

no special nozzle needed for this material

Dry Filament

40 – 45 °C for 4 – 6 h

store sealed with desiccant between prints

Enclosure

Not required

open the door and remove the top glass on long prints

Support Material

PVA, PETG (interface)

–

Printing Notes

Silk PLA is PLA blended with elastomers and flow modifiers for its shine. It is made for looks rather than strength, so use PLA+ or PETG for parts that take load.

OzFDM's data sheet lists 40 – 60 mm/s, slower than standard PLA and well below Bambu Studio's standard process presets. Lower the wall and infill speeds in the process settings before slicing.

Silk PLA comes on an AMS-compatible spool, so it works for multicolour prints from the AMS.

The X1C has no chamber heater, but bed heat builds up with the door shut. Bambu Lab recommends opening the front door and removing the top glass when the bed runs above the filament's softening point, so do this for long PLA prints at 55 – 60 °C.

Slicer: Bambu Studio. Start from the Generic PLA filament preset and set the temperatures above. Every figure assumes dry filament, so dry at 40 – 45 °C for 4 – 6 h before a long print.

Troubleshooting

Dull or streaky finish: Usually too fast or too cool. Slow the outer walls to 40 mm/s and raise the nozzle to 225 °C.

Layers split or snap easily: Silk trades strength for shine. Raise the nozzle 5 °C, and reprint load-bearing parts in PLA+ or PETG.

Stringing across gaps: Dry the roll at 40 – 45 °C for 4 – 6 h, then drop the nozzle to 215 °C.