What is the function of a cooling fan in an FDM printer?

The function of a cooling fan in an FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printer is to cool down layers quickly and improve print quality. When an FDM printer extrudes filament, it lays down hot plastic that needs to solidify rapidly to maintain the desired shape and dimensions of the printed part. The application of a cooling fan helps to solidify each layer faster as it is printed, which reduces the risk of issues like warping or sagging.

Cooling the material effectively helps improve layer adhesion and allows for better details and overhangs in the print. Proper cooling is critical, especially when printing with certain types of filaments, such as PLA, which tends to benefit from faster cooling to achieve better finish and accuracy. By ensuring that each layer is solidified before the next layer is added, the cooling fan directly contributes to the overall quality and integrity of the final printed object.