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  • Which 3D software settings do I need to adjust?

Which 3D software settings do I need to adjust?

3D Printing Help Centre

3D PRINTING HELP CENTRE

In the 123-3D help centre, we answer all your questions about 3D software and printer settings, problems you may experience during or after 3D printing and other 3D-related topics.

Which 3D software settings do I need to adjust?

To ensure that your 3D print is of good quality, you should always adjust a number of important basic settings in your slicer software before printing. These settings differ by filament type, but also by 3D object that you want to print.

8 Basic settings of your 3D slicer software

Although dozens of settings can be adjusted, the following eight are an absolute must for quality prints.  
  1. Layer height
  2. Outer walls
  3. Retraction
  4. Infill percentage
  5. Print speed
  6. Support
  7. Bed adhesion
  8. Initial layer thickness

Layer height

The 'layer height' also determines the resolution of your 3D print and specifies the height of each filament layer that is printed. With very detailed objects, it is important to keep as low a layer thickness as possible. As a result, the printing time is longer. For rougher objects without details, you can use a higher layer thickness. A disadvantage of this is that the individual layers are more visible.

TIP: With a 0.4mm nozzle, we recommend a layer height of 0.1mm for very detailed prints, 0.2mm for medium prints and 0.34mm for coarse prints with little detail.

Outer walls

The outer walls refer to the outer layer of the printed 3D object. The thickness of this layer is referred to in your slicer software as the 'shell thickness' and is set to 0.8mm by default. This is sufficient for most objects, but if you want to print an extra sturdy or waterproof object, it is advisable to increase this setting. Do you want to decrease the 'shell thickness' to shorten the printing time? Then keep at least a thickness of 0.5mm to prevent quality problems.

Retraction

The retraction settings ensure that the filament is automatically retracted when the surface of your print contains open spaces. This setting is active by default but can cause your nozzle to clog. Is your object solid? Then we recommend turning off the retraction settings.

TIP: Do you notice that strings are forming between the different parts of your print or that your nozzle is leaking? Then turn on the retraction settings and read our articles about ‘clogged nozzle’ and ‘over extrusion’.

Infill percentage

The infill refers to the space on the inside of your 3D object. If the infill percentage is set to 100%, the 3D print is solid. However, printing with an infill of 100% is very time-consuming and not always necessary. When you decrease the infill percentage, your slicer creates a pattern on the inside that keeps the object stable, but the printing time is greatly reduced.

TIP: For 3D prints that will only be exhibited, we recommend an infill percentage of 20%. For utensils with excellent mechanical properties, an infill percentage of 75 - 100% is the best choice.

Print speed

The print speed determines the speed at which the extruder moves over the print bed during 3D printing. The correct print speed depends on the type of printer and the type of filament you use. Although there are printers that can print at high speed (80 - 120mm/s), we do not recommend this. Our experience has taught us that the higher the print speed, the messier and lower the quality of the 3D print. A print speed of 50 - 60mm/s is therefore a good starting point.
TIP: Experiment with the print speed to find out which speed gives the most optimal result.

Support

Do you want to print a 3D object with overhangs or protruding parts? Then we recommend printing with support. The support structure offers support to these parts, so that the quality of the print is guaranteed. With a dual extruder printer (a printer with two extruders) you can use special support filament such as water-soluble PVA filament. However, it is also possible to use the same material for the print as the support.

TIP: Read our article on improving the surface of your support material and avoid unnecessary quality issues.

Bed adhesion

Do you notice that your 3D print does not adhere well to the print bed and that the corners curl during printing? Then you can select two options in the 'platform adhesion type' setting of your slicer software to improve the bed adhesion.
  • Raft: If you select the 'raft', a horizontal grid will be printed below the object. This grid serves as a platform for the print and is especially useful for objects with small parts at the bottom of the print, such as animal feet. We also recommend using the 'raft' when printing with support material.
     
  • Brim: If you select the 'brim', a number of lines will be placed around the print. This way the bonding surface is larger and the edges of your design will not curl or curl less quickly.

Initial layer thickness

For a firm base that adheres well to the print bed, you can increase the initial layer thickness. This setting refers to the thickness of the first layer of your 3D object. If you print with a layer height of 0.2mm, you can increase the 'initial layer thickness' to 0.3mm.

Do you have another question?

Have you not been able to find the answer to your question in the overview above? At 123-3D.co.uk we are busy with 3D printing every day and we like to follow every development. We are happy to share the knowledge and experience that we have built up over the years with you in our 3D printing help centre!

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