Operation Manual

Shells. Every object you print must have at
least one shell. You can add as many shells
as you want and they will print as concentric
perimeters on each layer. [Fig. 11.3] If the
layer cannot accommodate the specified
number of shells, the slicer will just fit in as
many as possible.
Additional shells, like larger amounts of
infill, add to an object’s strength, weight,
and print time. Two or three shells are
sucient for most objects. Additional shells
might help if you see cracks between the
layers of your object.
Layer Height. Layer height determines the
thinness of each printed layer of your object.
It is oen treated as a measure of resolution
in 3D printing, but it aects resolution only
on the Z-axis (up and down).
Thinner layers will result in a smoother
surface, but will also increase print times;
layers take the same time to print regardless
of height and thinner layers increase the total
number of layers to be printed.
The preset layer heights for the MakerBot
Replicator 2X range from .10 mm to .30
mm. Layers thicker than .34 mm are dicult
because the extruded plastic noodle
emerging from the nozzle is only .4 mm in
diameter. When the distance between one
layer and the next approaches the height
of the noodle, the two layers will not be
pressed closely together and might not stick
to each other very well.
Layers thinner than .10 mm are possible,
but present additional challenges. Smaller
layers require the plate to be trammed more
closely to the extruders. Ideally, the distance
between your extruder nozzles and build
plate should be one half of your layer height.
PRINT QUALITY CONTINUED
79ADVANCED PRINTING
File Name: Rock Wall hold 1.0 Fig. 11. 3
Design by: Jeremy007007
Thingiverse: 34331