{"id":691,"date":"2020-11-08T18:33:45","date_gmt":"2020-11-08T18:33:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/?p=691"},"modified":"2020-11-08T18:40:22","modified_gmt":"2020-11-08T18:40:22","slug":"a-3d-printer-diary-slicer-settings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/a-3d-printer-diary-slicer-settings","title":{"rendered":"A 3D Printer diary &#8211; Slicer settings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"155\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3165-1024x155.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-729\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3165-1024x155.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3165-300x45.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3165-768x116.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I was getting poor quality prints on my 3D printer. There are a number of possible factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>The surface texture of my prints is not as good as I would like. That&#8217;s the subject of this post.<br><\/li><li>Sometimes the first layer doesn&#8217;t stick very well to the base, and occasionally gets knocked by the print head. This is usually overcome by means of a &#8220;raft&#8221; or a &#8220;brim&#8221;. <br><\/li><li>Objects stick really solidly to the base when they are done, and I have to use a knife to get them off.<\/li><li>The filament is old, and has probably acquired moisture, so it is brittle. If I haven&#8217;t used the printer for a week, the filament between the spool and the print head snaps. I just feed the end of the filament into the top of the print head by hand, and the prints seem to come out OK.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There is plenty of useful advice for calibrating a 3D printer including <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"this video (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/teachingtechyt.github.io\/calibration.html#intro\" target=\"_blank\">this video<\/a>, this blog at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"this site (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/teachingtechyt.github.io\/calibration.html#intro\" target=\"_blank\">TeachingTech<\/a>. and this page at <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"this site (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/all3dp.com\/1\/common-3d-printing-problems-troubleshooting-3d-printer-issues\/\" target=\"_blank\">All3DP<\/a>. You can get <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"calibration cubes (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thingiverse.com\/thing:1278865\" target=\"_blank\">calibration cubes<\/a>, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"temperature towers (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thingiverse.com\/search?q=temperature+tower&amp;type=things&amp;sort=relevant\" target=\"_blank\">temperature towers<\/a>, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"a test boat (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thingiverse.com\/thing:763622\" target=\"_blank\">a test boat<\/a>, and other prints from Thingiverse. These blogs look at dozens of issues that might be causing poor prints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My printer is a Dremel 3D20, and I use <a href=\"https:\/\/ultimaker.com\/software\/ultimaker-cura\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Cura (opens in a new tab)\">Cura<\/a> for my <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"slicer (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Slicer_(3D_printing)\" target=\"_blank\">slicer<\/a>. From Cura, I save the sliced gcode file to an SD card. I then plug the SD card into the printer and print from there. In reading the blogs mentioned above, I realised that I had been using the &#8220;Draft&#8221; settings in Cura rather than the &#8220;Fine&#8221; or &#8220;Normal&#8221; settings. Using the latter, and printing off some calibration cubes, I found that the results are actually quite good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\"><strong>Lesson 1: Problem exists in chair, not in computer.<\/strong><br>(I was using the wrong settings in Cura &#8211; the clue is in the word &#8220;draft&#8221;).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cura has a number of different print profiles &#8211; from &#8220;Extra coarse&#8221; through &#8220;draft&#8221; and &#8220;normal&#8221; to &#8220;extra fine&#8221;. The difference is mostly in the layer height &#8211; the vertical thickness of each layer laid down by the 3D printer. I printed off the same &#8220;thing&#8221; multiple times with different profiles to compare the results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before we get to the results, here is some context. The &#8220;thing&#8221; I printed is a tower support for the amazing <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ravensburger.org\/uk\/discover\/gravitrax\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Gravitrax<\/a> marble run from Ravensburger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video controls src=\"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/gravitrax.mov\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We never have enough tower supports, so this seemed like a great opportunity to try out the printer, and create some more opportunities for amazing marble runs whilst also trying out different slicer settings. Of course, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"someone has already designed (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thingiverse.com\/thing:3337243\" target=\"_blank\">someone has already designed<\/a> the bits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The default profiles in Cura are mostly the same settings : 20% infill, 200 degrees temperature, 0.8mm wall thickness, 60mm\/s print speed. I chose to use supports but not raft or brim. The main difference in each test is the Layer Height &#8211; i.e. how thin each layer deposited is. Thicker layer heights equate to poorer quality but faster prints. Hence the use of the word &#8220;draft&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3236-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-701\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3236-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3236-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3236-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>The print is actually done upside down on the printer, with the &#8220;bottom&#8221; lugs facing upwards. Supports are used so that the cutout in the &#8220;top&#8221; of the print has a smooth surface.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>COARSE<\/strong>: Layer height 0.4mm. Cura estimated a print time of 21 minutes, using 283cm of filament. Actual print time was 25 minutes. This is the result (in white) next to a real (ABS injection moulded) tower support (in grey)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3240-e1604834924544-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3240-e1604834924544-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3240-e1604834924544-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3240-e1604834924544-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>&#8220;Coarse&#8221; 3D printed Gravitrax Tower piece (left) next to genuine injection moulded part.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3237-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-702\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3237-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3237-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3237-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>On this &#8220;coarse&#8221; print, the supports remained on the bed when I removed the model. There are some imperfections, but these are to be expected on the coarse settings.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>DRAFT<\/strong>: Layer height 0.2mm. Cura estimated a print time of 41 minutes, using 292cm of filament. Actual print time was 47 minutes. This is the result (in white) next to a real (ABS injection moulded) tower support (in grey).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3242-e1604842474783-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-718\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3242-e1604842474783-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3242-e1604842474783-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3242-e1604842474783-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>&#8220;Draft&#8221; 3D printed Gravitrax Tower piece (left) next to genuine injection moulded part.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>NORMAL<\/strong>: Layer height 0.15mm and an infill density of 10% instead of 20%. Cura estimated a print time of 47 minutes, using 294cm of filament. Actual print time was 50 minutes. This is the result (in white).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3252-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-722\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3252-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3252-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3252-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>&#8220;Normal&#8221; 3D printed Gravitrax Tower piece (left) next to genuine injection moulded part.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>FINE<\/strong>: Layer height 0.1mm. Cura estimated a print time of 81 minutes, using 294cm of filament. Actual print time was 93 minutes. This is the result (in white).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3253-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-723\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3253-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3253-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3253-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>&#8220;Fine&#8221; 3D printed Gravitrax Tower piece (left) next to genuine injection moulded part.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Comparison<\/strong>: Most of my problems can be resolved by using the &#8220;normal&#8221; profile in Cura instead of Draft. On these prints. I can&#8217;t see a lot of difference in quality between Normal and Fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3254-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-724\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3254-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3254-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/IMG_3254-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>&#8220;Coarse&#8221; (left), &#8220;Draft&#8221;, &#8220;Normal&#8221; and &#8220;Fine&#8221; (right).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Conclusions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Look up the word &#8220;Draft&#8221; in the dictionary.<\/li><li>Understand how the slicing software works<\/li><li>Running a test like this (same &#8220;thing&#8221; different settings using the default profiles of the slicer) is a great way to understand what&#8217;s going on.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I was getting poor quality prints on my 3D printer. There are a number of possible factors: The surface texture of my prints is not as good as I would like. That&#8217;s the subject of this post. Sometimes the first &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/a-3d-printer-diary-slicer-settings\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[19],"tags":[25,59,58],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/691"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=691"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/691\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":730,"href":"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/691\/revisions\/730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=691"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=691"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wis.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=691"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}