September 13, 2020
3 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT 3D PRINTING RESOLUTION
3D printing resolution defines the quality, or level of detail, at which the part is created. The printer’s movement on the XYZ planes determines how fine the resolution will be, with smaller movements typically yielding higher resolutions.
What is 3D printing resolution?
Resolution in 3D printing service defines the quality, or level of detail, at which the part is created. The printer’s movement on the XYZ planes determines how fine the resolution will be, with smaller movements typically yielding higher resolutions.
2- 3D Printer Resolutions: Facts and Figures: –
As 3D printers print in three dimensions – X, Y, and Z, you need a couple of numbers to determine a printer’s resolution: –
- Horizontal resolution (or XY resolution):
It’s the smallest movement the deposition technology can make in a layer. The lower the value, the higher the details the printer produces.
- Vertical resolution (or layer thickness or layer height):
It is the minimal thickness of a layer that the printer produces in one pass. The smaller the layer thickness, the smoother the printed surface will be. However, the printing process will take longer for finer layers as the printer has to produce more layers.
The minimum feature size for the XY plane and the printer’s layer height together will give a fairly good idea of the resolution a particular 3D printer can execute.
2- What are the factors affecting resolution in 3D printers ?
- Filament choice
The whole process of 3D printing service in India is dependent on the filament. It must be correctly wound onto the spool and it is important that the temperature is set correctly for a heated platform to prevent the objects from sticking to it.
- Temperature regulation
The resolution in 3D Printing online will often come down to the temperature of the extruder or the heated platform as mentioned above as well.
- Support
Where complex and highly detailed objects are being printed with a high 3D printer resolution, rafts and support structures should be used. The correct thickness is set for the raft by this and the right distance between the object and the support and the density. However, the denser the support is, it becomes more difficult to remove once the print job has been completed.
- Software
The software that is used also decides the outcome and quality of the 3D print.
- Nozzle
The layer height is extremely important for determining the quality of 3D prints. As standard 3D printing heights are set between 0.1 and 0.3 mm but with the correct nozzle and the right filament, it can be increased to the height range of 0.05 to 0.35mm.
- 3D printing speed
The speed of the 3D printer and print job has a significant impact on the quality and resolution of the final object made by 3D Printing companies. When the print job is carried out in more time it means better finishes on corners or edges. Because most filaments will adhere better and have more time to cool down.
Get Instant 3D Printing Quotes + 10% Off
3- How to improve the resolution of my 3D printer?
Now that we have a brief idea of the 3D printer resolution, we move on to the next question of how to improve the print resolution of our printer for affordable 3D Printing services in India. Well, we aren’t specialized experts to understand specifics and provide precision control, but some are apprehended to obtain a top-notch print. Let’s explore those tips and tricks in detail.
- Adjust the nozzle and the bed
If you’re using an FDM printer, make sure you adjust the height of the nozzle and the printing bed, so that both remain leveled against each other. In FDM printers, some come with a standard height that automatically calibrates itself , whereas the other requires manual setup.
You can use a feeler gauge or A4 paper for leveling purposes. Lower the nozzle and slide in a feeler gauge between the bed and the nozzle. Adjust the distance between them. Ensure that the paper slides easily between the gaps. Repeat the same procedure at least 3 to 4 times to get a perfect leveling for the bed and the nozzle.
- Use anti-warping resin/material
Warping is one of the most commonly occurring defects in online 3D printing services , which causes irregular dimensionality. Surface warping occurs due to the variance in cooling rate, which causes changes in dimension at variated speeds. This differential surface cooling builds internal stress within the print surface that causes the underlying layer to warp.
FDM printers are very much prone to surface warping, which significantly destroys the print resolution and quality of your 3D Printing in India. ABS and PLA are some of the most warping prone materials used in 3D Printing online. For detailed prints using FDM, the usage of high-quality material such as PLA+ or EPA-CF will reduce the chances of warping.
Several research works are being undertaken by popular 3D printer manufacturers to establish a warp-free material. Out of that, PolyMide CoPA, launched by Polymaker, has shown promising results in warp-free material for online 3D Printing India. PolyMide chemically controls the molecular crystallization which helps in releasing the internal stress developed well before solidification, hence ensuring constant cooling rate.
Warping in 3D Printing companies can also be eradicated by choosing high-resolution 3D printers ranging from 10 to 50 microns. Printers with 20 microns produce some top-quality prints with greater resolution than 50-micron prints. Check out for printer resolution before purchase for your 3D Printing companies if you require a finer detailed 3D print online.
- Check Nozzle temperature
This criterion again specifically applies to FDM 3D printing in India. The higher the nozzle temperature, the greater the chances of strings of material that oozes out during printing operation. This oozed out material will ultimately cause dimensional irregularities and surface distortion.
Before printing, it is essential to set the nozzle temperature in accordance with the filament material properties. Usually, the 3D printer control settings will have pre-specified temperature levels, but when you’re using a material that is not in the database, it is always better to check the material melting point and set the heat sink temperature accordingly.
- Use a smaller nozzle diameter
High-quality of the major points we discussed about XY resolution of FDM printing technique. The smaller the diameter of the nozzle used, the finer the material will extrude, which results in a high-quality finish in designs that use sharp edges and curves.
To obtain a high-quality finish through your online 3D Printing services, adjust your layer height according to the diameter of the nozzle, which can be performed using the slicing software. The slicing software automatically adjusts your layer height according to the diameter options provided.
Choose your nozzle diameter in a fashion that you don’t lose layer thickness and hence lose out the mechanical stability of the print. It is advisable to choose a nozzle diameter that is on the intermediate between finer and thicker range, which can print the product matching your expectation for your 3D Printing companies.
- Set the layer height properly
Layer height is technically the height of the cured layer, also sometimes referred to as layer thickness. This has a lot to do with the Z resolution of the 3D printer and applies to all types of printing techniques. Layer height directly affects the printing time which invariably affects the print quality.
For long objects, the thinner the layer height, the longer it takes to print the model with greater perfection. Thin layers often contribute to a perfect finish across the Z direction and leading to a smoother surface.
Layer thickness is measured in microns and you can generally adjust your layer height based upon the end product you desire to obtain. However, in case of experimentation, or you don’t have any idea of the required finesse you need, you can always set the layer height between the printer layer height range and choose a value that appeals to be optimum for the product you wish to obtain.
- Use Support Materials
There are high chances of print deformation due to the presence of gravitational forces for larger prints. The problem escalates further when you provide unique features such as an overhanging feature or single support feature along with the main print, which might result in surface abrasion.
To eradicate the possibility of this in your 3D Printing service, we need to use proper supporting structures and materials that will hold these unique features with the printer base and the main print. In the case of SLS or SLA 3D Printing services, the support material is automatically provided by layers of powder that remain unprocessed. This holds the structure together and is easily removable.
High-quality print often comes with sharp edges and high finesse structures and can’t be printed directly in case of FDM 3D printing service. The slicer software enables the user to provide support materials for the design. The support material should be thin and less dense so that it can be pulled off easily from the main print.
The addition of support materials can help the user to print sharp and high-resolution print surfaces without surface abrasion and improper printing. Sometimes, improper design can cause material clogging, and usage of support materials can provide clear cut directions for the print head on material distribution.
- Reduce the lift speed or the motor speed
In the case of SLA 3D Printing service and SLS printing, the rate at which the build plate lifts also determines the finishing quality of the material. The lift speed is also calculated as millimeters per second in rising of the build plate.
Now, the faster the lift speed of the build plate, the higher the chances of the whole print to be distorted or destroyed, due to elasticity between the vat resin and the plate. Generally, lift speed goes hand in hand with the layer height by the slicing software, however, you can modify the lift speed based on the model you want to obtain.
It is advised to maintain the lift speed based on the range given by the slicing software. To obtain a print of high-quality finish, set the lift rate marginally lesser than the proposed lift rate, which can sometimes increase the print time.
In FDM 3D Printing online, lift speed corresponds to the speed of the motor operating the Z resolution motion. Speed of the motor directly depends upon the step angle it moves per millimeter. To obtain a print of higher quality, it is advisable to reduce the motor speed rate in terms of mm/sec in the slicer software.
- Further Insights
3D printer resolution can be checked and measured using a print resolution test plate. The test plate is made of several individual apparatus that measures the resolution of the print based on several dimensional criteria.
3D printer resolution isn’t a simple term as it masquerades it to be. The resolution of 3d prints varies on several factors including the printing technique, the printer manufacturing method, procedures followed, the model designed, and much more that is not easy to increase or decrease as and when we like to do.
Obtaining inch-perfect 3D printing resolution requires a lot of testing and modification procedures to be followed from the base level so that it doesn’t end up collapsed. As said, this tinkering in the printing techniques requires some expertise, something that can only be learned through experience.
Conclusion:-
Before you start with 3D printing in India, it is crucial to understand the desired resolution for your 3D parts. Your choice will also depend on what you need for your 3D printing project.