Prepare for 3D printing
Prepare your 3D mesh
- watertight
- not too many intersections
- avoid small details (0.8mm minimum detail, but tall objects should be thinker)
- if part snaps together with other part: allow clearance
- if part snaps together with other part: make sure the part can be inserted
Slicing tips
Cura
Cura is slow
Per model settings
Use different slicer settings in the volume of a selected object.
Example: use a more dense infill in a specified area
- Add the object you want to print.
- Add the object you want to define the dense infill with (a cube could work just fine).
- Change the size and position of the second object so it overlaps the first object at the desired location.
- Select the second object. In the side bar, go to
per model settings
and selectModify settings for overlaps
. - select
infill mesh only
- select the following settings:
- Wall line count:
0
- Top Layers:
0
- Bottom Layers:
0
- Infill Density: the desired value for your print
When you're using Gradual Infill Steps in your main model, don't forget to add Gradual Infill Steps: 0
to the per model settings
Calibrating for correct dimensions
- Isolate a small piece of your model which you can use for a fit-test.
- In Cura, set the
Horizontal offset
to a negative number (in mm) to make the model leaner in the horizontal plane. Set it to a positive number to make it fatter. Use small values like for example0.1mm
. - Print the test piece and measure it with calipers.
- If the dimensions are different than the CAD model, adjust the horizontal offset.
- If the dimensions are the same as the CAD model, but it doesn't fit properly, adjust the clearance values in the CAD model.