How important is the minimum layer height on a 3d printer?
I know the minimum layer height will effect how detailed of an item you can print and the amount of time it takes to print something, but is it necessary to have an extremely low minimum layer height if you plan to print only larger objects?
There's a "in order to accomplish
" missing from your question. In my case, I print miniatures which are 20-80mm long. A print resolution in the microns is what I need to produce detail. So the question would be better asked if you included what the intended use of the print is. Question edited, hopefully that fixes it.
Please define the type of resolution you are talking about. There are positioning resolutions for the x, y, and z axis on the printer, there is also the nozzle diameter, and the minimum layer height. Each would be slightly different in your question.
After editing, you changed the question entirely. Instead of the importance of the "first layer height", you now ask for the importance of "layer height for larger objects". Was this intented? Do you mean "first layer" when you say "minimum layer"?
I believe the Slic3r Manual summarizes this quite nicely:
A thicker layer height will provide more flow, and consequently more heat, making the extrusion adhere to the bed more. It also gives the benefit of giving more tolerance for the levelness of the bed. It is recommended to raise the first layer height to match the diameter of the nozzle, e.g. a first layer height of 0.35mm for a 0.35mm nozzle.
In other words, larger layer heights for the first layer typically gives better adhesion, and makes inaccurate bed leveling (and auto leveling) still work.
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the third dimension 7 years ago
I think it would be a good idea to specify what type of 3D printer you are talking about. Layer sizes can very a lot between different technologies and printing materials. On top of that, the application plays an important role. There's no general answer to the question how small a layer should be. I suggest changing this question to ask how to know what layer thickness to use and what influences that decision. That would be a canonical question an much more useful.