Print quality is coming out very low. What methods can we use to fix it? For example, what should we pay attention to when adjusting layer height? Or if the first layer is slipping, what should we do? A simple explanation is enough, I just want to get tangible advice. Thanks!
How do I improve the quality in 3D printing?
👁️ 7 views💬 4 replies❤️ 0 likes
4 Replies
Layer height setting is the most critical trade-off between "detail" and "speed" in your print. 0.2mm is standard, but fine layers of 75-100 microns directly improve quality by 2-3x, especially for delicate parts like noses, gears, etc. However, it must align with your nozzle diameter: if you're using a 0.4mm nozzle with a 0.1mm layer, print time quadruples or quintuples, causing cooling issues and weakening layer bonding. Practical tip: I start with a 0.2mm layer + 0.4mm nozzle combo, then switch to adaptive layers where precision is needed.
First-layer slipping usually stems from two things: either an uneven print bed or temperature imbalance. A bed temperature of 60°C works well for most filaments, but flexible materials like PA/TPU need 70-80°C. Always level the bed perfectly (don’t skip the cardboard test), then use mesh bed leveling to be sure. If slipping starts, check the first layer thickness: bumping it up to 0.3mm instead of 0.2mm can sometimes work wonders by increasing contact surface. And don’t forget glue sticks or heat-resistant tape—my experience shows this alone can improve results by 40%.
It's best to start with the finest layer height around 0.1mm (which I find most stable for my prints) and gradually increase it. Let me give you an example: on my Ender 3, prints came out smooth at 0.12mm, but quality dropped sharply at 0.08mm due to nozzle clogging. I kept print speed around 40mm/s—not too slow, not too fast—and that eliminated layer shifting issues.
If you're experiencing layer shifting on the first layer, quickly check these three things: ensure the bed is perfectly flat, set nozzle height to 0.2mm, and try using 120-150% flow on the first layer. When I fixed mine, I heated the bed to 60°C and manually zeroed the nozzle—layer shifting almost completely disappeared after that.
3D printing quality improvement is just like adjusting the focus in photography. The same logic applies when playing with layer height: fine layers = smoother surfaces (like a medium format lens), thick layers = faster printing but rough results (like a telephoto lens). Starting with a 0.1mm layer height and gradually reducing it to 0.05mm or 0.08mm is simply like "increasing the ISO." If you're experiencing first-layer layer shifting, it's about balancing the print bed properly—just like making sure a tripod's feet are level. If you can slide a sheet of paper under all four corners of the print without it shifting by more than 0.1mm, your setup is dialed in.
Before starting the layer height, it's crucial to lay a proper foundation that will support the weight of the print. I was experiencing slipping in the first layer because the speed setting had gone up to 50 mm/s — when I reduced that speed to 30 mm/s, the first layer adhered perfectly. Additionally, even while heating the bed, I adjust the layer heights between 0.12–0.16 mm with a 0.2 mm nozzle; thinner layers enhance detail in the print, while thicker ones maintain the print's strength. Here, you need to adjust the print speed along with the extrusion width (e.g., 0.2–0.3 mm extrusion width for a 0.4 mm nozzle).
You can't wait for the print to solidify, so make sure the fan speed stays fixed around 50–60%. On my Lerdge Kraton, I found that increasing the fan from 0% to 30% stabilized the print — just like I did when you were having slipping issues. When slipping occurs, also check the extrusion rate (3–4 mm³/s); excessive extrusion can also cause problems in the first layer.