[FIXED] Processes with differing layer heights, air gaps?

[DBFIU]

Hello,

Lets take a hypothetical case that best represents my issue. If I print an object, and specify a process for the bottom of the object to print at say, 0.3mm and stop at 15mm.

And then, I start at a new process at 15mm, with a new layer height, say 0.2mm, just in that area to tighten things up a bit.

There will be an air gap precisely where the two processes meet. I can see the air gap ONLY in the slicer visual window after it was sliced, in reality, the air gap during the print gets closed up because of gravity.

Unfortunately, this air gap in the print causes an unwanted appearance and structurally weak at that point due to poor adhesion.

How do I get rid of this issue? What if I want to have multiple processes with differing layer heights all along my part in zones, and not have to worry about the thin air gaps at process junctions?

Please help!

Thanks

[dkightley]

I think you need to make the height that you change from the first to the second process at exactly the top of a layer in the lower process.

For your print, a layer height of 0.3mm give 50 layers at 15.0 mm, which is just right. However you may need to adjust the stop point if you have a first layer height of other than 100%. For example, with a first layer height of 50%, you'll need to stop the first process at 15.0 - 0.15, which will be 14.85 mm

[DBFIU]

I never thought of that. I will try this.

Thank you

[jimc]

yup doug is right. the process needs to start and stop on a layer......or round about. it doesn't have to be exactly on the money. just close.

[S3D-Jason]

There will be an air gap precisely where the two processes meet. I can see the air gap ONLY in the slicer visual window after it was sliced, in reality, the air gap during the print gets closed up because of gravity.

Just to let everyone know, Version 4.0.1 has added several improvements for multiple processes. It will now automatically ensure that there is no gap between processes, even when using different layer heights or other modifications. This makes it much faster to setup these prints without needing to worry about adjusting the start/stop position or having a specific multiple of your layer height. The software now handles all of this automatically.

I setup a print as described at the top of this post and it now slices correctly without any gaps between layers. Thank you for reporting the issue!