3D Printing Stack Exchange
3D Printing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [surface]

Questions about the surface of a 3D printed object

For questions regarding troubleshooting, design, or best-practices of a 3D printed surface.

27 questions
57
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9 answers

How do I give 3D-printed parts in PLA a shiny smooth finish?

The surfaces of my printed parts using PLA plastic look rough and uneven. Would changing filament to a better one make any difference? If not, what kind of methods can I use to achieve a smoother finish for my for 3D-printed objects?
kenorb
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17
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7 answers

What can I use to "sand" my ABS prints?

I have a 3d printer that uses ABS filament. The software I use will generate vertical supports for my objects before printing that can be easily broken off after they have been used during print to hold sharp angles up that would normally…
Jon B
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10
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3 answers

Methods for applying full color graphic decals to the surface of a 3d printed part?

I'm trying to find a way of applying graphics to my ABS printed parts. I need a robust method which can produce a decent amount of detail with true color and legible fine text . I also was hoping to avoid the use of stickers and opt for something…
Logic1
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9
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2 answers

Practical concerns smoothing PLA print with chloroform vapours

One way to give PLA prints a smooth finish is treatment with chloroform vapours (or other solvents, as mentioned in this answer). This method is even featured on Ultimaker website. I would like to try it on some of my prints. What are the practical…
Klara
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6
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1 answer

Triangulation adapted to curvature

I don't know whether this belongs here (where most of the questions appear to be about hardware) or on Math or on Blender (though I've never used Blender). All of the designs that I've published so far consist of grids of bent ‘rods’, and in most of…
Anton Sherwood
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6
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2 answers

Rough surface when printing

Is there a specific name for that problem? What causes this, and is there a way how to solve it? Printed with PLA, 2 mm nozzle diameter, 0.2 mm layer height, 20-60 mm/s, 200 °C extruder, 60 °C bed.
user236012
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5
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1 answer

How do I give 3D-printed parts in ABS a shiny smooth finish?

The surfaces of my printed parts using ABS plastic look rough and uneven. What methods can I use to achieve a smoother finish for my for 3D-printed objects?
Morgoth
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5
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4 answers

Is there a way to print on a 3D printed surface?

I have a 3D printed object that I'd like to print on. Adhesive stickers are an option, but as the surface is rounded it's difficult to get a good film to stick well. Is there any system to print on a 3D object (e.g. ink jet). I need at least…
Sonya
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5
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2 answers

Bed design for magnetic easy release when printing PLA

I print on a glass bed covered with BuildTak. Prints stick well, release is difficult. They sell a mod, self adhesive magnetic sheet that holds a steel plate which in turn you put the BuildTak on making it easier to get your prints off by twisting…
Davepix
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3
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1 answer

Subdivision surface for STL files

How much should I subdivide a surface in preparation for 3D printing? For computer graphics, I know that I need to balance the smoothness and the rendering time, but for printing, I'd like it to be completely smooth. Are there any reasons why I…
Tin Man
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3
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3 answers

How to concave a cylinder with Onshape?

If I have a 3D cylindrical extrusion (in Onshape), how can I scoop, carve, or indent a concave/parabolic curve in one of the ends? The yellow surface is the target. Here is the basic shape I'm trying to bore out (like a satellite dish, parabolic…
voices
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3
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1 answer

3D printer putting scars on my prints

I just ran a 3D benchy on my Lotmaxx SC-10 3D printer and it came out fantastic. No stringing, melting, the dimensions look good, the bed adhesion is perfect, and it is identical to the 3D model. But upon closer inspection, there is this…
DragonflyRobotics
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3
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2 answers

Bad quality at horizontal faces

I'm newbie at this stackexchange and I have a "FlashForge Finder"; lately there are many problems with the horizontal surfaces quality (Bottom and Top at the same time). As some issue guides suggests, I changed: number of solid layers, % of filling…
AJ MM
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3
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1 answer

Smooth finish on large parts

I would like to print a vase that has a width/length/height footprint of 100x100x200 mm, and the surface finish is of particular interest to me. Ideally, I would like to do a minimum of sanding/XTC-3D coating after printing, if any. What would be…
Shinagan
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2
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2 answers

Weird surface thing

I have a 3D printer at home, the Colido Compact, and for some reason when I 3D print big flat surfaces a really weird thing happens. I'm using some PLA from Colido too I think It almost seems as if the bottom layer does perfectly but when it starts…
leosefcik
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