Fill Rate - Gaps In Flat Areas On Top?

[mitchfx]

I'm getting some very tiny gaps between my extrusion lines in the flat areas on the top of my models. I assume I need to adjust some settings to get a little more fill happening, but unsure where is the best place to adjust.

-Extrusion Multiplier (currently 1.0)
-Extrusion Width (Currently Manual @ 0.40mm)
-Filament Diameter (currently 1.75mm - I don't own any digital calipers)

The printer is a Dremel Idea Builder using MatterHackers PLA. I'm printing at 0.10mm layer height, 4/4 top/btm layers, 3 outline shells, 15% fill.

Thanks,
M

[JoeJ]

Try 6 top/bottom solid layers with 15% infill. Does that help? If not, then add 0.02 to the extrusion multiplier

[jimc]

A factory file would help here or atleast a picture showing the areas

A couple things though.

To set and calibrate the printer right a pair of calipers is a must. You cant print without them. The filament dia needs to be set right. Right now you have no idea the size of the filament. This can cause under or over extrusion. Sounds like you may be underextruding. Also, your extrusion width should not be the size of your nozzle. A .4 nozzle should have a width setting .45-.65. Setting it near or below your nozzle dia causes issues with the print as well. Mostly infill problems which also result in bad top surfaces. Post a factory file so we can take a look.

[mitchfx]

Here is the factory file. Any recommendation on a good pair of calipers that won't break the bank?

thingBase01.zip

(10.97 MiB) Downloaded 317 times

Thanks,
Mitch

[mitchfx]

Here is a closeup photo of the print problem areas...

[mitchfx]

. A .4 nozzle should have a width setting .45-.65. Setting it near or below your nozzle dia causes issues with the print as well. Mostly infill problems which also result in bad top surfaces.

Is it recommended to use the AUTO Extrusion Width setting?

[jimc]

oops, i forgot to get back to this and look at it. anyway, you want to try and keep it atleast around the auto value. the closer you get to your nozzle width the more little problems that can arise. you dont usually see issues on solid objects or ones with higher infill but the lower you go the less material is extruded and it can be a cause of broken or messy infill which will affect surfaces. it can cause weak prints as well. i run a .4 nozzle usually and i try not to run less than .45 but once in awhile i will go down to .42-.43. i have printed as high as .65 out of a .4 nozzle. i usually leave it on auto unless i need to specifically change it for a print that requires it. maybe to fit a number of extrusions into a thin wall or something. as for your print...text can be tough sometimes. i always try to print text with 1 perimeter when i can. it always comes out much cleaner. slice it with the 3 perimeters like you have and look at the preview. go back and set it to 1 perimeter and slice it again. you will see a big difference. also your infill width is 200 which is great but keep in mind that its also now spaced twice as far apart so your 15% infill is the same as 7-8% at 100% width. thats pretty low. at a .1 layer height your top surfaces may suffer. looks like there are a few holes in that picture.