Course Content
Module 2: 3D Printers & Materials
This section gives an overview of the various 3D Printer components, 3D Printer types and materials.
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Module 3: 3D Printing File Types
This lesson provides a comprehensive understanding of the myriads of file extensions in the 3D Printing.
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Module 4: Introduction to 3D Modeling
Start designing your own printable objects with easy-to-use modeling tools. This module introduces you to beginner-friendly 3D modeling software and teaches you how to create objects that are optimized for the printing process.
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Module 5: Slicing and G-Code
Before printing, models need to be sliced into printable layers. Learn how slicing software works, how to adjust print settings like layer height and infill, and how the slicer generates the G-code that your printer uses to build the object.
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Module 6: The Print Process
Now it’s time to bring your models to life. Learn how to set up your printer, load materials, calibrate settings, and start your first print. This module also covers how to identify and fix common printing issues like warping or layer shifting.
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Module 7: Post-Processing
After printing, your model might need some finishing work. Discover how to remove supports, sand rough edges, paint your models, and combine printed parts into assemblies. These techniques can take your prints from good to great.
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Module 8: Introduction to 3D Scanning
Learn how physical objects can be digitized using 3D scanning technology. This module introduces different scanning methods, software for cleaning and editing scan data, and how scanning is used in design, repair, and reverse engineering.
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Module 9: Real-World Applications
Explore how 3D printing is transforming industries like healthcare, automotive, education, and aerospace. See case studies and examples of how professionals use 3D printing to solve real problems and prototype new ideas.
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Module 10: Final Project + Certification
Put your skills to the test by completing a final print project—from modeling to post-processing. Submit your work for review, earn your course completion certificate, and unlock a special gift to help you continue your 3D printing journey.
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Private: 3D Printing Fundamentals.
About Lesson

🧩 Lesson: Layer Height, Supports, Infill, and Print Settings

🖨️ Focus: Understanding the core slicer settings that control the quality, strength, and speed of your 3D prints


✅ Summary

Slicer settings like layer height, support structures, infill patterns, and general print parameters determine how your model prints and performs. This lesson breaks down each setting to help students understand how to achieve the best results for different applications—from decorative prints to structural prototypes.


🎯 Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

  • Define and adjust layer height for resolution and speed trade-offs

  • Configure support generation for overhangs and complex geometry

  • Choose appropriate infill patterns and density based on model usage

  • Tweak print settings (speed, temperature, shell thickness) for quality and material compatibility

  • Recognize how these settings interact and influence print success


📘 Lesson


🟪 1. Layer Height – Print Resolution

Definition: Layer height is the vertical thickness of each individual layer your printer lays down.

  • Standard FDM range: 0.12 mm – 0.3 mm

  • Typical SLA range: 0.025 mm – 0.1 mm

Layer Height Print Speed Detail Use Case
0.3 mm Very fast Low Drafts, prototypes
0.2 mm Balanced Medium Functional prints, general use
0.1 mm Slower High Detailed models, miniatures
0.05 mm Very slow Ultra Resin prints, precision parts

🔍 Tip: Lower layer heights = better detail but longer print times.


🟧 2. Supports – Printing Overhangs and Bridges

Supports are temporary structures that allow the printer to handle steep angles, bridges, or floating features.

  • Overhang threshold: Usually anything > 45° from vertical

  • Bridge: Horizontal spans across empty space

Types of Supports:

  • Normal/Linear: Stronger but uses more filament

  • Tree-style (in Cura): Saves material and easier to remove

  • Custom/manual: Best for delicate models (available in PrusaSlicer, Chitubox, etc.)

Support Settings:

  • Overhang angle threshold (e.g., 45°)

  • Support density: More dense = better support but harder to remove

  • Z-distance: Gap between model and support; too low = stuck, too high = droopy

🛠️ For SLA: Always tilt the model and manually place supports under islands or overhangs to avoid suction failure and warping.


🟨 3. Infill – Internal Structure of Your Print

Infill affects strength, weight, material use, and print speed.

Infill % Strength Use Case
0–15% Weak Visual models, display items
20–35% Medium Light-use parts
40–60% Strong Functional parts, gadgets
70–100% Very strong Load-bearing tools, mounts

Infill Patterns:

  • Grid: Fast and decent strength

  • Cubic: 3D strength, good for stress

  • Gyroid: Even strength, visually appealing

  • Lines/Triangle: Quick prints with moderate durability

📌 More infill = longer print time and more material. Try balancing with thicker walls instead.


🟩 4. Shells, Speed, and Temperature Settings

🛡️ Shells (Walls):

  • Wall count: 2–4 recommended

  • Wall thickness: Should be a multiple of nozzle diameter (e.g., 0.8 mm for 0.4 mm nozzle)

⚡ Print Speed:

  • Standard speed: 40–60 mm/s

  • High speed: 80–150 mm/s (with Klipper or CoreXY printers)

  • Slower speeds = better detail, fewer errors

🌡️ Temperature:

  • Depends on filament type (FDM) or resin brand (SLA)

Material Nozzle Temp Bed Temp
PLA 190–220°C 50–60°C
PETG 220–250°C 70–85°C
ABS 230–260°C 90–110°C
Resin Depends on printer LCD exposure time and resin brand  

🧠 Summary

These core slicer settings form the foundation of every successful print. Understanding how they work together helps you achieve:

  • Clean prints with smooth surfaces

  • Functional parts with proper strength

  • Optimized print time and material use

  • Fewer failures due to poor supports or weak geometry


🧩 Optional Activity

Assignment:
Use your favorite slicer (Cura, Chitubox, Orca) to:

  1. Load a calibration cube

  2. Adjust layer height, infill (20% gyroid), and supports

  3. Slice and preview the toolpath

  4. Export and reflect on how changes affect print time and appearance


📂 Additional Resources

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