3D printing layer height is one of the most critical parameters for anyone looking to balance print quality, скорость, и стоимость. 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, Ключевые влиятельные факторы, practical selection tips, and expert insights to help engineers, любители, and manufacturers optimize their 3D printing workflows.
1. What Is 3D Printing Layer Height?
3D printing layer height (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. Например, 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:
| Influencing Factor | How It Affects Layer Height | Практический пример |
| Диаметр сопла | 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 (самый распространенный размер) 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. |
| Скорость печати | Lower speeds pair well with small layer heights (Чтобы обеспечить точное осаждение материала). 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. |
| Температура печати | 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. | Для 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 (НАПРИМЕР., 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. |
| Нарезное программное обеспечение | Different software uses unique algorithms to calculate layer height and print paths. Some tools (НАПРИМЕР., Уход, Прусаслис) offer optimized presets for specific layer heights. | Cura’s “Fine Detail” preset automatically sets a 0.1mm layer height, adjusts print speed to 40 мм/с, and raises temperature to 210°C for PLA—saving time on manual tuning. |
3. How to Choose the Right Layer Height: Practical Tips
Selecting layer height isn’t just about “smaller = better”—it requires balancing your project’s priorities. Follow this step-by-step approach:
Шаг 1: Define Your Core Goal
Начните с спроса: What matters most for your print?
- High Surface Quality (НАПРИМЕР., фигурки, прототипы): Выберите а small layer height (0.05–0.15 мм). This minimizes layer lines but increases print time.
- Быстрый поворот (НАПРИМЕР., functional brackets, test parts): Opt for a large layer height (0.2-0,4 мм). This cuts print time by 30–50% but may show visible layers.
- Balance of Both (НАПРИМЕР., daily-use objects): Pick a medium layer height (0.15–0,2 мм). It offers decent quality without excessive wait times.
Шаг 2: Check Compatibility with Your Nozzle
Never exceed 100% вашего диаметра сопла (НАПРИМЕР., a 0.4mm nozzle can’t handle a 0.5mm layer height). Для достижения наилучших результатов:
- Use 20%–50% of the nozzle diameter for fine detail.
- Use 60%–100% of the nozzle diameter for speed.
Шаг 3: Adjust Supporting Parameters
Once you’ve chosen a layer height, tweak these settings to optimize results:
- Скорость печати: Reduce speed by 20–30% for small layer heights to avoid material oozing.
- Температура: 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 (НАПРИМЕР., from 0.08mm to 0.3mm).
4. Yigu Technology’s Perspective on 3D Printing Layer Height
В Yigu Technology, we view layer height as a “bridge” between print quality and efficiency—especially for industrial metal 3D printing. For our medical implant clients (НАПРИМЕР., 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. Часто задаваемые вопросы: Common Questions About 3D Printing Layer Height
1 квартал: Can I use a layer height smaller than 20% моего диаметра сопла?
Это не рекомендуется. Например, 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.
2 квартал: Will a smaller layer height always improve surface quality?
Не всегда. Beyond a certain point (НАПРИМЕР., 0.05mm for most printers), the improvement in surface smoothness becomes negligible. Однако, 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.
Q3: How does layer height affect the strength of a 3D print?
Smaller layer heights (0.08–0.15 мм) create stronger prints because they have more layers, improving adhesion between adjacent layers. Larger layer heights (0.25-0,4 мм) have fewer layers, so they may be weaker in vertical loading. Для функциональных частей (НАПРИМЕР., скобки), we recommend 0.1–0.2mm for a balance of strength and speed.