3Hauteur de la couche d'impression D is one of the most critical parameters for anyone looking to balance print quality, vitesse, et coûter. Whether you’re printing a detailed prototype or a functional part, getting the layer height right can make or break your project. This article breaks down its definition, facteurs d'influence clés, practical selection tips, and expert insights to help engineers, amateurs, and manufacturers optimize their 3D printing workflows.
1. What Is 3D Printing Layer Height?
3Hauteur de la couche d'impression D (also called layer thickness) refers to the vertical distance between two adjacent printed layers during the additive manufacturing process. It acts as the “vertical resolution” of your 3D print—directly determining how smooth and detailed the final model’s surface will be.
- Key Characteristic: The smaller the layer height, the finer the surface finish. Par exemple, a 0.05mm layer height will produce a near-seamless surface, while a 0.3mm layer height may show visible layer lines.
- Practical Analogy: Think of layer height like painting a wall. Thin brush strokes (small layer height) create a smoother finish but take longer, while thick strokes (large layer height) are faster but leave more texture.
2. Key Factors Influencing 3D Printing Layer Height
Several interrelated factors determine the optimal layer height for your print. The table below explains each factor, its impact, and practical examples:
| Facteur d'influence | How It Affects Layer Height | Exemple pratique |
| Diamètre de la buse | The most critical constraint: layer height is typically limited to 20%–100% of the nozzle diameter. Smaller nozzles allow finer layer heights but require higher precision. | A 0.4mm nozzle (la taille la plus courante) supports layer heights from 0.08mm (20% of 0.4mm) to 0.4mm (100% of 0.4mm). A 0.2mm nozzle can go as low as 0.04mm but needs slower print speeds. |
| Vitesse d'impression | Lower speeds pair well with small layer heights (pour assurer un dépôt de matière précis). Higher speeds work better with larger layer heights but may reduce detail. | A 0.08mm layer height (fine detail) needs a print speed of 30–50 mm/s. A 0.3mm layer height (fast print) can handle 80–120 mm/s without quality loss. |
| Température d'impression | Must match the material’s melting point to ensure proper layer adhesion. Incorrect temperatures (too low/high) limit your ability to use extreme layer heights. | Pour PLA (melting point ~190–220°C): A 0.08mm layer height needs 205–215°C (to ensure full melting). A 0.3mm layer height works at 195–205°C (thicker layers need less heat for adhesion). |
| Platform Calibration | A level print platform ensures uniform layer thickness across the model. Poor calibration leads to uneven layers (Par exemple, thin spots on one side, thick on the other). | If the platform is tilted, a 0.1mm layer height may vary by ±0.05mm, causing surface defects or even print failure. |
| Trancheur | Different software uses unique algorithms to calculate layer height and print paths. Some tools (Par exemple, Traitement, Prusasliseur) offer optimized presets for specific layer heights. | Cura’s “Fine Detail” preset automatically sets a 0.1mm layer height, adjusts print speed to 40 mm / s, and raises temperature to 210°C for PLA—saving time on manual tuning. |
3. How to Choose the Right Layer Height: Conseils pratiques
Selecting layer height isn’t just about “smaller = better”—it requires balancing your project’s priorities. Follow this step-by-step approach:
Étape 1: Define Your Core Goal
Commencez par demander: What matters most for your print?
- High Surface Quality (Par exemple, figurines, prototypes): Choisissez un small layer height (0.05–0,15 mm). This minimizes layer lines but increases print time.
- Revirement rapide (Par exemple, functional brackets, pièces d'essai): Opt for a large layer height (0.2-0,4 mm). This cuts print time by 30–50% but may show visible layers.
- Balance of Both (Par exemple, daily-use objects): Pick a medium layer height (0.15–0,2 mm). It offers decent quality without excessive wait times.
Étape 2: Check Compatibility with Your Nozzle
Never exceed 100% de votre diamètre de buse (Par exemple, a 0.4mm nozzle can’t handle a 0.5mm layer height). Pour de meilleurs résultats:
- Use 20%–50% of the nozzle diameter for fine detail.
- Use 60%–100% of the nozzle diameter for speed.
Étape 3: Adjust Supporting Parameters
Once you’ve chosen a layer height, tweak these settings to optimize results:
- Vitesse d'impression: Reduce speed by 20–30% for small layer heights to avoid material oozing.
- Température: Increase temperature by 5–10°C for small layer heights to improve layer adhesion.
- Platform Leveling: Re-calibrate the platform when switching between extreme layer heights (Par exemple, from 0.08mm to 0.3mm).
4. Yigu Technology’s Perspective on 3D Printing Layer Height
À la technologie Yigu, we view layer height as a “pont” between print quality and efficiency—especially for industrial metal 3D printing. For our medical implant clients (Par exemple, titanium dental crowns), we recommend 0.08–0.1mm layer heights to ensure smooth surfaces that integrate with bone tissue. For aerospace prototypes, we use 0.15–0.2mm to balance detail and production speed. We also optimize slicing software presets for our metal printers, pairing layer heights with laser power and scan speed to reduce post-processing work by 15–20%.
5. FAQ: Common Questions About 3D Printing Layer Height
T1: Can I use a layer height smaller than 20% de mon diamètre de buse?
Ce n'est pas recommandé. Par exemple, a 0.4mm nozzle with a 0.07mm layer height (17.5% of diameter) may cause under-extrusion—since the nozzle can’t deposit enough material to form a consistent layer. This leads to weak layer adhesion and print failure.
T2: Will a smaller layer height always improve surface quality?
Pas toujours. Beyond a certain point (Par exemple, 0.05mm for most printers), the improvement in surface smoothness becomes negligible. Cependant, print time continues to increase significantly—so it’s more efficient to use 0.08–0.1mm for fine detail, then polish the surface if needed.
T3: How does layer height affect the strength of a 3D print?
Hauteurs de calques plus petites (0.08–0,15 mm) create stronger prints because they have more layers, improving adhesion between adjacent layers. Hauteurs de calques plus grandes (0.25-0,4 mm) have fewer layers, so they may be weaker in vertical loading. Pour les pièces fonctionnelles (Par exemple, supports), we recommend 0.1–0.2mm for a balance of strength and speed.