Steps for best print quality

[3dPrintingMD]

Lets say you are trying to make a part or a gift or anything that you want to look really sweet.

What settings would you change to achieve this ?

I'm experimenting with lowering the Printing Speed going to try 70mm/s. Also going to lower the outline to 50%. My first layer speed is 60% and I think that has been working well.

How about Start Points ?

Thoughts ?

[Jules]

Depends on the filament.

For PLA, slower print speeds do improve the quality. (I print all of mine at 70mm/s, but I'm generally not in much of a hurry.) You might want to up the bridging speeds if you lower the general printing speed though.

If you want a good surface (top) finish, play with your infill extrusion width until you get a flat, smooth top surface. (Lots of those calibration squares again, but this time, with 100% infill, to see if the top layer comes out flat.)

Print direction for best surface with PLA is Outside-In, unless you have overhangs in the print, (or are using a dual extruder), when you want to use Inside-Out.

And the biggest thing you can do for great PLA prints is use LOTS of fan. Stick a desk fan next to it, or remove your fan guard from the Bed Fan. (If you take off the fan guard, up your temps by about 10 degrees for both bed and nozzle.)

PETG likes a tall layer height with a bit of under-extrusion for the best surface finish. And it likes it reeeeally slow. It looks better with a little fan, but it does not always bond as well, so that is a trade off.

[3dPrintingMD]

Wow, exactly what I was looking for, going to do some printing tonight and use these tips !