I just purchased a Prusa i3 MK2S. After working out some newbie issues, I started printing some pieces for some costumes I’m working on (Iron Man and Thor). I’m using the PLA Filament which came with the printer and Slic3r Prusa edition. I’m also using 0.05mm print quality. So what my question is, why are my prints ending up like this? (see picture). It looks like the print isn’t finished. I see the same thing on my Iron Man fingers but not quite as bad as on the disk. Anyone know what’s wrong? Thanks
Hi,
I’d increase the number of top layers. It should fix your problem.
If you will run into other problems in the future, I recommend checking Simplify3D’s print quality troubleshooting guide - Print Quality Guide | Simplify3D Software That helped me a lot at the beginning.
Xeno
May 10, 2017, 8:31am
3
Looks like your top layer thickness is not thick enough, try doubling it.
Hi @Charb33 since you’re new to printing, I’ll explain in a little more detail. FDM prints (the type that the Prusa makes) are not usually solid. They’re made up from base layers, sides (perimeters) and top layers, and the space inside is filled with a pattern, usually a grid at about 20-25%, known as “infill”. The top and bottom layers are solid - the printer lays down a completely gap-free layer of plastic so that you get a smooth surface. Usually you’ll have at least 3 of these solid layers to provide a good boundary.
When putting down these solid layers on the base, the printer has no problem creating a smooth even surface because it’s printing on the bed - underneath the layer is a flat smooth surface. However, when it comes to the top layers, what’s underneath will be the infill and that’s not solid or smooth. So the first top “solid” layer put down tends to fall into the gaps to some degree (depending on how dense the infill is and other settings), the next layer will be better and the next better still, but if you haven’t got enough top layers, you end up with what you’re seeing in the photo.
I’d suggest adding at least two more top layers, and possibly increasing the density of your infill.
Me too, the top layers are to few.
The top layers are to few: when you 3D print something with for example a 0.2 mm layer height, 4 top layers gives you a top thickness of 4x0.2 mm=0.8 mm. If you keep that setting and try to 3D print with a layer height of 0.05 mm, you get a 4x0.05 top thickness, that is only 0.2 mm. So in that case you have to use 16 top layers to get the same top thickness as before.
Thanks for the help everyone. I tried the same piece but with Cura instead of Slic3r and it turned out great. I’ll try your suggestions as I much prefer working with Slicer. I’ll update.
Thanks again.
The question I often ask myself before buying a 3d printer(I’m on my third one now) is what the usage is going to be directed at. If you start out just want to play with it as a hobby I recommend to get kit that you have to out together yourself. This is because you will learn things much faster and get up to speed with knowledge around your 3d printer.
It can be a pain to learn when your new. I read a lot of guides online to get more knowledge before I buy and how to use it. I have not used this forum so much but many swedish forums have been very helpful. Found a good swedish 3d printer buy guide on alla3dskrivare - https://alla3dskrivare.se/3d-skrivare-kopguide/ , this one worked for me. I know there is some helpful guide to learn from at site like: reprap.org
Happy printing
