This guide explains the critical slicer settings of Layer Height and Line Width, detailing their impact on print quality, strength, and speed for the Vision Miner 22IDEX. Understanding and adjusting these parameters allows you to balance visual detail, structural integrity, and print time effectively.
Layer Height and Line Width are fundamental parameters configured in your slicing software (e.g., PrusaSlicer) before printing. Layer Height dictates the vertical thickness of each deposited layer, directly influencing surface smoothness and print duration. Line Width (also known as Extrusion Width) controls the width of a single extruded line, impacting layer adhesion, dimensional accuracy, and print strength.
Purpose & Scope: This document provides recommendations and explanations to help you select optimal Layer Height and Line Width settings for various printing goals on the 22IDEX.
Benefits: Properly configured settings lead to improved surface finish, better layer bonding, enhanced part strength, and optimized print times.
Prerequisites: Basic familiarity with slicing software interface is assumed. Access to the slicer profiles provided by Vision Miner is recommended as a starting point.
Layer Height determines the vertical resolution of your print. Thinner layers create smoother surfaces, especially on sloped or curved areas, but significantly increase print time. Thicker layers print faster but result in more visible layer lines (stair-stepping effect).
Key Considerations:
0.04 mm. Common recommended values include 0.12 mm, 0.16 mm, 0.20 mm, 0.24 mm, etc.0.4 mm nozzle, the maximum recommended layer height is 0.20 mm (though 0.24 mm, divisible by 0.04, is acceptable and often used).
Note: Exceeding 50% of the nozzle diameter (e.g.,
0.30mm on a0.4mm nozzle) can compromise layer adhesion and reduce overall part strength, even if the print completes faster. Studies suggest strength significantly drops off beyond this ratio.
0.20 mm offers a good balance of speed and quality. For higher detail, 0.16 mm is recommended.0.24 mm. This value is divisible by 0.04 and provides a robust foundation.0.10 mm, 0.15 mm) might seem intuitively better for adhesion due to increased squish and potentially better melting, tests show layer adhesion doesn't necessarily improve significantly with very thin layers and might even slightly decrease compared to moderate heights like 0.15 mm or 0.20 mm (for a 0.4mm nozzle). However, excessively thick layers (e.g., > 0.25 mm on a 0.4 mm nozzle) demonstrably reduce layer adhesion and part strength.0.20 mm to 0.10 mm) will roughly double the print time.Line Width determines the width of the extruded plastic bead. It is often set as a percentage of the nozzle diameter or an absolute value in your slicer. Adjusting this affects how densely lines are packed, impacting strength, surface finish, and overhang performance.
Key Considerations:
0.48 mm (120%). This slightly over-extruded width promotes better fusion between adjacent lines and between layers, increasing part strength.0.60 mm. This forces more material onto the build surface for a strong initial bond.0.42 mm (105%) for top solid infill.0.42 mm (105%) for external perimeters if overhang quality is critical, but the default (0.48 mm) often provides better overall strength.Warning: Excessively wide line widths (e.g., >200% or
0.8mm for a0.4mm nozzle) can lead to print quality issues like rough surfaces, difficulty printing fine details, increased nozzle pressure potentially causing extruder issues, and requiring more cooling. Ensure your hotend can handle the increased material flow.
Print Settings -> Advanced. You can set defaults and specific widths for different features (First Layer, Perimeters, Infill, Top Solid Infill).0.24 mm for 0.4mm nozzle on 22IDEX).0.04 mm on the 22IDEX?
0.04 mm aligns with the motor's micro-stepping resolution, ensuring the most accurate and repeatable vertical movements, contributing to consistent layer deposition.0.12 mm?
0.08 mm or even 0.04 mm (if your setup allows) are possible and follow the divisibility rule. However, print times increase dramatically, and you may see diminishing returns in quality improvement. Very thin layers can also sometimes reveal inconsistencies in filament diameter or extrusion more easily.Mastering Layer Height and Line Width is crucial for unlocking the full potential of your Vision Miner 22IDEX. By understanding their impact and following the recommended guidelines—especially the 0.04 mm layer height increment rule—you can tailor print settings for optimal quality, strength, and speed. Always start with tested profiles and make incremental adjustments, verifying with test prints.