Printing Thin Walls
Hello!
I am trying to print a clip+diffuser for a LED light, hence the need for a thin portion of the print. The part in the picture is based on a symmetrical design, however the printing problem only arises at one side of the thin portion (0.4mm thickness), while the other end prints as expected, therefore I think the issue could be resolved by means of software settings. I have tried 3 iterations of the print, all upright: wall parallel to the y-axis with 0.25mm and 0.20mm layer height, and perpendicular to the y-axis 0.20mm layer height. All runs led to the gaps on only one side of the wall.
I am printing on a Prusa MINI, 0.4mm nozzle, with eSUN PLA.
Thanks in advance for the help!
Best Answer by JoanTabb:
you have not included a project file for us to look at so this is a total guess.
you say the thin portion of the design is 0.4mm thick and you are using a 0.4mm nozzle...
I suspect you are also using a default Prusa Mini profile, with the default extrusion width settings
your thin print will only be using an external perimeter for the thin section of the print.
it ia probable that your extrusion width setting is wider than the thin section of the model, reducing the external perimeters extrusion width, to 0.4mm may be all that you need to do
alternatives,
1, in Prusa slicer, unlock the 'Scale Factors' in the Object manipulation window of Prusa slicer, then adjust the size of the model, in the direction that would thicken the thin panel, the down side of this, may be that the retaining slot also becomes loose
2, In prusa slicer increase the 'XY Size Compensation' value to perhaps 0.025mm to artificially thicken the thin panel of the model
the down side of this option is that it may make the retaining slot too tight
3, Revise the original 3D model to have a slightly thicker , thin panel
A combination of options 1 and 2, may both thicken the panel and restore the retaining slot fit to reasonable values
Good luck,
Joan
RE: Printing Thin Walls
you have not included a project file for us to look at so this is a total guess.
you say the thin portion of the design is 0.4mm thick and you are using a 0.4mm nozzle...
I suspect you are also using a default Prusa Mini profile, with the default extrusion width settings
your thin print will only be using an external perimeter for the thin section of the print.
it ia probable that your extrusion width setting is wider than the thin section of the model, reducing the external perimeters extrusion width, to 0.4mm may be all that you need to do
alternatives,
1, in Prusa slicer, unlock the 'Scale Factors' in the Object manipulation window of Prusa slicer, then adjust the size of the model, in the direction that would thicken the thin panel, the down side of this, may be that the retaining slot also becomes loose
2, In prusa slicer increase the 'XY Size Compensation' value to perhaps 0.025mm to artificially thicken the thin panel of the model
the down side of this option is that it may make the retaining slot too tight
3, Revise the original 3D model to have a slightly thicker , thin panel
A combination of options 1 and 2, may both thicken the panel and restore the retaining slot fit to reasonable values
Good luck,
Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
@joantabb spotted the issue - a single perimeter under extruding leaves no room for the slicer to hide/disguise construction constraints.
Instead of printing white which has a lot of blocking pigment consider redesigning at two extrusions thick and printing with clear filament. Unless you take steps to prevent it the 'clear' print will look milky/translucent with a useful diffusion effect.
Cheerio,
RE: Printing Thin Walls
Thanks for the tips. The wall thickness smaller than the size of the nozzle was also under my suspicion. However, as it appeared in the picture, the artefacts/gaps show up only on one side of the wall, while the other edge is spotless. This inconsistent behaviour seemed strange to me.
In the meantime, I tried it with a thickness of 0.46 as well with the same result of gaps only on one side of the wall.
I can't seem to be able to attach the stl file to the reply, so that you can inspect it.
For the current project, I managed to print the parts laying down, by reducing the overhang of the clips on top.
RE: Printing Thin Walls
Thanks @diem as well, for the observation about the colour. White is indeed not translucent enough, I will reprint the parts in clear PLA once I acquire some.
RE: Printing Thin Walls
Hi Akex,
A Project file is better than the STL,
Prusa slicer project files include the settings for the slicer as well as the STL, in the orientation that you propose to print the model
which helps us make more accurate suggestions.
to save a project file, drop down the Prusa Slicer 'File' Menu, and choose 'Save Project as'
save the file to a known location with a recognisable file name, then ZIP Compress the project file,
then you can attach the Zipped file to the next post.
STL Files also need to be Zipped, or the forum will silently drop the files.
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK