Object accuracy... Is it normal for the printer (MK3S) to print a bit off size?
 
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Object accuracy... Is it normal for the printer (MK3S) to print a bit off size?  

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Spinnetti
(@spinnetti)
Trusted Member
Object accuracy... Is it normal for the printer (MK3S) to print a bit off size?

I've been using my machine quite a while now and it prints beautifully. Lately been printing mechanical parts and all the various holes are undersized a bit, usually by about .010". Also, its a bit different between the axis, with Y a bit more undersized than X when printing calibration cubes. Is this common? I know extrusion width, build variation, temperature and material variations also contribute to it, and I've controlled for those best I can and my machine is built very square. I printed the calibration cubes and towers, and everything looks good otherwise. I looked up calibration info, but still a bit puzzled how to adjust. Do I edit the firmware settings and tweak the steps?

Thanks!

Posted : 13/12/2020 4:28 pm
jsw
 jsw
(@jsw)
Famed Member
RE: Object accuracy... Is it normal for the printer (MK3S) to print a bit off size?

I've found that the MK3S always prints well within 1% of what it's told to print.  Those 20mm XYZ calibration cubes are very handy for checking this.

There are so many factors that influence the exact size of holes and other structures that I've found the only way to be sure things fit is to do test prints using the same material and same settings in the same orientation.  For small registration pegs and holes using PLA or PETg, .2mm layers, I've found that doing the holes at 2mm radius and the pegs at 1.9mm radius usually results in a more or less proper fit.

When you think about this, things such as the size of the 'bead' that is actually extruded will influence the size of small features.

Posted : 13/12/2020 6:46 pm
Spinnetti
(@spinnetti)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Object accuracy... Is it normal for the printer (MK3S) to print a bit off size?

I'm well under 1% so I guess I just need to run some bigger clearances I guess... would still like to tweak a bit I think.

Posted : 13/12/2020 9:06 pm
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