OK so i have been trying to print something and i have hit a snag, i want smooth sides, and smooth top but not sure how to go about doing so. If i print the object standing vertical, the sides are nice and smooth, but the bottom and top (the edges) are rough and you can see the cross hatching from the infill. But if i turn the object flat, then the edges are smooth, and the large flat side is rough with the cross hatch pattern. I have tried changing the infill type, amount, and speed, but i can not get a somewhat smooth surface. Is this possible to achieve? Printing on a prusa i3.
Hey there. It does depend very much on what you want to print and the material that you are going to use. If you’d share the pictures and your projects maybe we could see if its possible. But in general , it should be very possible.
PeteD
3
Every slicer software package handles this differently, so it would also be very useful to know what slicer you are using.
i am using Slic3r, and printing with PLA, here is a picture. This was printed standing up, smooth sides, rough top and bottom.
Chemical post-treatment with a vapour bath:
- If it’s ABS: use acetone
- If it’s PLA: use THF
However, these are dangerous chemicals (especially THF) and you should wear the appropiate protection in a well ventilated area.
PeteD
6
Do you have a picture of the rough top and bottom?
Is the roughness unusual, or normal 3D print patterning. You mentioned in the OP that you were seeing infill patterns in the surface of your print, which is not normal, and chemical smoothing will not fix.
i do not have a picture of the rough top and bottom, i will take some when i get off work tonight.
one approach may be: use acetone (try to detach a old heating unit out of a ricecooker, place that under a glass (heatresistance) measuring jug on top of the metal support. put the object in the jug on top of a support, add a little acetone, close the jug with a lid, scare the pets out of your house and ventilate well. (a few minutes may do the trick)
