Frequently Asked Questions

Each successive layer is printed on top of the previous layer, and
in the end this creates the desired 3D shape. However, for the final
part to be strong and reliable, you need to make sure that each
layer adequately bonds to the layer below it. If the layers do not
bond together well enough, the final part may split or separate. We
will examine several typical causes for this below and provide
suggestions for resolving each one.
(1) Layer height is too large
Most 3D printing nozzles have a diameter between 0.3-
0.5mm. The plastic squeezes through this tiny opening to create a
very thin extrusion that can produce extremely detailed parts.
However, these small nozzles also create some limitations for
what layer heights can be used. When you print one layer of
plastic on top of another, you want to make sure that the new layer
is being pressed against the layer below it so that the two layers
will bond together. As a general rule of thumb, you want to make
sure that the layer height you select is 20% smaller than your
nozzle diameter. For example, if you have a 0.4mm nozzle, you
can’t go too far past a layer height of 0.32mm, or each layer of
plastic will not be able to properly bond to the layer beneath it. So
if you notice that your prints are separating and the layers are not
sticking together, the first thing you should check is your layer
height compared to the size of your nozzle. Try reducing the layer
height to see if it helps the layers bond together better. You can do
this by clicking “Edit Process Settings” and selecting the Layer tab.
(2) Print temperature is too low
Warm plastic will always bond together much better than