3D printing parameters

When it comes to the quality of 3D printed products, it is essential to take into account both the printing parameters and printer settings. This article delves into the meaning of each adjustable setting and how the parameters affect printing results.

To identify the slicer software that complements your resin 3D printer optimally, please visit this here to ascertain the specific file format required by your resin 3D printer.

1. Phrozen OS Web Interface Parameters

Layer thickness

• This refers to the Z-axis resolution. 
• If the number is set too high, printing speed becomes faster, but model details may be lost. 
• If the number is set too low, printing speed becomes slower, but model details will be finer.

Number of layers

• This refers to the number of bottom layers.
• An excessive amount of bottom layers will serve as a stabilizing base but will increase printing time.
• An insufficient amount of bottom layers can lead to poor adhesion issues.

Cure time

• This refers to the amount of time required for each normal layer to cure. 
• If the number is set too high, your prints may over cure, thus losing details. 
• If the number is set too low, your prints may not be fully cured.

Bottom cure time

• This refers to the amount of time required for the bottom layer to cure.
• If the number is set too high, your prints may stick tightly onto the building plate, making it harder to remove. 
• If the number is set too low, your prints may fall off easily during the printing process.

Wait before print

• This refers to the amount of time needed for the building plate to wait in the resin vat until the UV light lights up.
• If the number is high, printing time becomes longer but this enables resin to stabilize better.
• If the number is set too low, printing time becomes shorter but resin may not have enough time to stabilize in the resin vat.

Z-axis speed

• This refers to the speed at which the Z-axis moves during printing.
• If the number is high, the Z-axis will move faster, reducing the printing time but your prints may become damaged mid-print. 
• If the number is low, the Z-axis will move slower, increasing the printing time but your models will have a higher chance to be printed successfully.

2. CHITUBOX Slicing Software Parameters

Layer height

• This refers to the Z-axis resolution. 
• If the number is set too high, printing speed becomes faster, but model details may be lost. 
• If the number is set too low, printing speed becomes slower, but model details will be finer.

Bottom layer count

• This refers to the number of bottom layers.
• An excessive amount of bottom layers will serve as a stabilizing base but will increase printing time.
• An insufficient amount of bottom layers can lead to poor adhesion issues.

Exposure time

• This refers to the amount of time required for each normal layer to cure. 
• If the number is set too high, your prints may over cure, thus losing details. 
• If the number is set too low, your prints may not be fully cured.

Bottom exposure time

• This refers to the amount of time required for the bottom layer to cure.
• If the number is set too high, your prints may stick tightly onto the building plate, making it harder to remove. 
• If the number is set too low, your prints may fall off easily during the printing process.

Light-off delay

• This refers to the time the building plate lifts, retracts, then waits while the bottom layer is printed. 
• If the number is set too high, it will take longer to complete the process. 
• If the number is set too low, there is a higher chance of your prints failing.

Rest time after retract

• This refers to the amount of time the building plate waits inside the resin vat after retracting until the UV light starts to illuminate.
• If the number is sufficient, resin will have enough time to stabilize.
• If the number is too low, resin cannot have enough time to stabilize, causing printing failures.

Bottom lift distance

• This refers to how high the building plate lifts while printing the bottom layers. 
• If the value is high, printing time becomes longer but this improves printing success rate.
• If the value is too low, prints may fail to detach from the FEP film.

Lifting distance

• This refers to how far the building plate lifts while printing the normal layers.
• If the value is set correctly, prints will attach to the FEP film properly. 
• If the value is set too low, prints may fail.

Bottom lift speed

• This refers to the speed at which the Z-axis moves while printing the bottom layers. 
• If the number is set too high, the Z-axis will move faster, reducing the printing time, but the bottom layers may become damaged. 
• If the number is set too low, the Z-axis will move slower, increasing printing time, but the bottom layers will have a higher chance to be printed successfully.

Lifting speed

• This refers to the speed at which the Z-axis moves while printing.
• If the number is high, the Z-axis will move faster, reducing the printing time, but models may become damaged.
• If the number is low, the Z-axis will move slower, increasing the printing time, but models will have a higher chance to be printed successfully.

Retract speed

• This refers to the speed at which the Z-axis moves down during printing.
• If the number is high, the Z-axis will move faster, reducing the printing time, but the entire printing process might be unstable. 
• If the number is low, the Z-axis will move slower, increasing the printing time, but the LCD screen will remain intact during the printing process.