How to Fix Pillowing- Tips to avoid it during 3d Printing

When I was first introduced to this technology, I was embarrassed by the problem of pillowing. It would be hard for someone, especially a beginner, to deal with pillowing. But through the years of practice and guide, that today I am sharing with you, I overcome the common problem that haunts us all. It destroys your efforts if your final layer is rough and uneven.

I can feel that rage that it causes because I have gone through these hard times. Once I encountered the pillowing as of today, you are struggling to get rid of it. It is crucial to note that pillowing does not have any single reason, so you need to go through every step mentioned bellow to get mastery over the solving of the problem.

What is 3d printing?

3d printing refers to the process of creating three-dimensional objects using a computer or under the command of a computer. Various materials like liquid, solid are used to shape any object at every layer. It has changed the way of creating objects through advanced manufacturing techniques.

It let designers create intricate designs with ease and with the spurt of time. Now that the technology has developed enough to provide smart printer in businesses and homes. So here a few but essential techniques that you find on the internet elsewhere.

Maintaining nozzle temperature:

Under the high temperature of the nozzle or nozzles, the earlier formed layers are distorted. Which could lead to the framing of an undesired object or leave some irreparable stains? It prerequisite to maintain smooth printing.

Avoid adding things with smaller diameter:

When you are printing any object that has small stuff that you do not need like lines or bars that confuses your printer to print ineffectively; as a result, your final product comes out as indistinguishable.

Things that are less than one or less than one meter in diameter needs to be reduced as many as possible. Or solve this problem, use a ruler for the check during the designing process.

Furnishing quality of models by cross-sectional analysis:

When you are in your printing stage, you must analyze your object at every level or layer that is to be printed. Always remember to use the cross-sectional analysis tool to discard any overhangs that are not supported. By doing this, you surely have a furnished final shape.

Repairing your file:

Moreover, if you have a damaged file, make sure to repair it with a window 3d builder. It is free and works best on window 10. However, it can be used on other versions of windows, but it does not work correctly. It is free, why not to give it a try.

What is pillowing:

It is a commonly encountered problem that makes the upper surface of any object comes out to be equal, with small bumps, or it may contain little gaps that destroy the quality of your final project. It does not come out blue it has very serious reasons behind it. That can be wrong settings of printing and a thin layer.

It usually happens because of improper warping of the final layer, or not maintaining of suitable temperature. Moreover, temperature, when reached an undesired point, would damage the whole surface. So, here are a few essential tips and solutions to avoid pillowing.

Surface thickness:

It is one of the leading causes of pillowing. When the surface did not have enough material to supply for smoothness of the surface. As a result, there appears bumps and even sometimes holes in it.

To avoid this, you need to have a thickness of at least six times more than the height of the layer. For example, the bottom thickness of layer height is .2; then, you need to maintain 1.2 layer thickness.

Cooling:

If you are properly following my guide, then you might have probably realized by now that temperature plays vital in 3d printing. Maintaining a suitable temperature is essential not only in pillowing but also in the whole process of printing.

When printing a surface, all fans should go at high speed so that plastic gets cold properly. Otherwise, it may cause bumps and even holes sometimes; furthermore, if you have did not have the desired temperature for the layer previous to the surface layer, that might also beget rough surface.

Maintaining the weight of final layer:

Sometimes we add to the final layer’s thickness without considering the weight of the last layer. That is crucial to avoid pillowing. When the weight of the final layer goes beyond the sustainable limits, then it began to distort.  In simple words maintaining infill to 12 percent will drastically reduce the chances of pillowing.

But I case if it even gets better than 25 percent is ideal for infill. This is an easy solution to be employed before you go for any solution. But this method may have its own consequences as it increases the times of printing so, patience must be prioritized here.

Reducing printing speed:

It has been confirmed in research that more you have speed more, you have chances of pillowing. The reason that pillowing takes place due to high speed is the software does not recognize the printing object properly.

The separation between plates: head and build

As I have already mentioned, the top layer should be as cool as possible. It usually happens just because of nozzle temperature is high and, in turn, surrounding turns hot. Adjusting the distance between the head plate and the building stage would make it impossible for the temperature to rise. Hence, it will be rendering the best results.