Friday February 15, 2019 at 11:34am
Within 3D printing
getting the first few layers correct is very important as it has a knock on
effect with the success of your print. In this article, we are going to discuss
some of the techniques to improve your model and the various advantages and
disadvantages of using different methodologies.
Rafts
The purpose
of a raft is to sit in between the build platform and your part. The reason for
this is to assist with the bed adhesion and prevention of warping. Rafts are
often used when printing in ABS. Rafts can also be used to help stabilize
models with smaller footprints, creating a stronger foundation upon which your
printer can build the layers of your part. Once your print is complete, the
raft should peel away from the print and can be discarded.
Advantages
·
Prevents
warping
·
Helps
with Bed adhesion
·
Increases
structural support
Disadvantages
·
Increase
print time
·
Increases
the amount of waste filament
·
Can
be hard to separate your part from the raft |
|
Skirts
A skirt is
an outline that surrounds your part without touching. The skirt is printed
before the first layer of the part, helping to prime the extruder and establish
a smooth flow of filament. A skirt also allows you to detect and adjust any
leveling or adhesion issues before the part has started to print.
Advantages
·
Cleans
out the nozzle of pervious filament
·
Helps
printer establish a flow of filament
·
Good
indicator of how the print will turn out
Disadvantages
·
Provides
no extra support for model |
|
Brims
A Brim is
similar to a skirt however, unlike a skirt a Brim is attached to the part.
Typically, a brim would be printed with an increased number of outlines,
creating a large ring around the part. The reasoning behind this is to help
hold down the edges of parts, preventing warping and assisting with bed
adhesion. This can also help with the stability of your print, widening the bed
contact area.
Advantages
·
Uses
less material compared to a raft
·
Easy
to remove
Disadvantages
·
Doesn’t
work well with complex shapes |
|
Glossary of terms used:
Warping: This occurs during a print when the material
shrinks as it cools, resulting in the corners and other parts of the print to
lift and detach from the build plate.
Bed Adhesion: Ensuring the print is fixed in place on the
print bed and will not come unstuck during the print. |
Find out more about 3D Printing and the best 3D Printers on offer here.