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Polycarbonate settings for the Prusa MINI+
Possible with tweaks
These are tuned starting settings for printing Polycarbonate on the Prusa MINI+. The Prusa MINI+ has a Bowden extruder and an all-metal hotend, so we set the hotend to 275°C and the bed to 100°C. Polycarbonate is one of the strongest filaments but needs high temps and an all-metal hotend.
275°C
Hotend
100°C
Bed
35 mm/s
Speed
0%
Part fan
Recommended Polycarbonate profile
| Hotend temperature | 275°C (tower 260–300°C) |
| Bed temperature | 100°C |
| Print speed | 35 mm/s |
| Retraction | 6 mm (Bowden) |
| Part cooling fan | 0% |
| Bed adhesion | Very hot bed + enclosure; PC needs an all-metal hotend. |
| Nozzle | Brass 0.4 mm is fine |
| Difficulty | Advanced |
⚠️ Polycarbonate warps without an enclosure and the Prusa MINI+ is open-frame. Block drafts, raise the bed temp, and add a brim; for tall parts an enclosure is strongly recommended.
⚠️ This material prefers a 110°C bed but the Prusa MINI+ tops out at 100°C; use extra adhesion help such as glue stick.
💡 Best uses for Polycarbonate: high-heat parts, impact-resistant parts.
Shop Polycarbonate on Amazon →
FAQ
- What temperature should I print Polycarbonate on the Prusa MINI+?
- Start at 275°C for the hotend and 100°C for the bed, then run a temperature tower across 260–285°C to dial in your exact filament brand.
- What print speed works for Polycarbonate on this printer?
- Around 35 mm/s is a safe starting point on the Prusa MINI+.
- What retraction should I use?
- Use about 6 mm of retraction (Bowden setups need more). If you see stringing with Polycarbonate, raise retraction speed before distance and dry the filament.
- Do I need an enclosure for Polycarbonate on the Prusa MINI+?
- Yes — Polycarbonate really wants an enclosure and the Prusa MINI+ is open, so expect warping on large parts without one.