this post was submitted on 18 Jul 2023
17 points (100.0% liked)

3DPrinting

15667 readers
85 users here now

3DPrinting is a place where makers of all skill levels and walks of life can learn about and discuss 3D printing and development of 3D printed parts and devices.

The r/functionalprint community is now located at: [email protected] or [email protected]

There are CAD communities available at: [email protected] or [email protected]

Rules

If you need an easy way to host pictures, https://catbox.moe may be an option. Be ethical about what you post and donate if you are able or use this a lot. It is just an individual hosting content, not a company. The image embedding syntax for Lemmy is ![](URL)

Moderation policy: Light, mostly invisible

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

When you make something that's too big for your printer, how do you hide the seams from bonding when aesthetics are a priority?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Assuming you're talking about FDM/FFF printing and not SLA or sintering:

There's a bit of a catch-22 when it comes to mating flat 3d printed surfaces: The face that's on the build plate will be the flattest and result in the smallest seam. It's also the face most likely to be dimensionally inaccurate because of elephant footing, which can result in a ridge at the seam. And the easy fix for having an elephant foot it adding a chamfer, which results in a big visible seam. So my actual advice is:

  1. get your first layer super-duper dialed in
  2. then make sure "elephant foot correction" (or whatever your slicer may call it) is turned off in your slicer (or it'll add a 0.4mm chamfer for you)
  3. make sure your mating faces are face down on the bed
  4. avoid textured build plates if you can

And if aesthetics are a high priority consider using an automotive filler primer (I buy it in spray cans) and then painting the piece after it's glued. Filler primer will help hide the seam and layer lines.