Users can select from various 3D printer infill settings and patterns using the 3D printer slicing software Cura. But what differentiates patterns like Grid, Cubic, and Zig-Zag from one another, and which settings should you modify for your requirements?
Extruding and depositing filament in successive layers allows an FDM 3D printer to build solid 3D objects. However, most 3D printed parts’ interior typically consists of a mixture of solid plastic and empty space; they aren’t entirely dense.
A print’s infill density measures how much plastic is present relative to empty space; a value close to 0% indicates that the part is primarily hollow, while a value close to 100% means it is mainly solid. The majority of prints have a 30–50% density. The inside of a print can be made up of lines, grids, triangles, and many other 2D or 3D patterns. Still, the geometrical structure of the internal plastic is just as significant as the density. The chosen pattern can significantly impact the printed part’s strength, weight, and flexibility in addition to printing times and material requirements.
It’s All About the 3D Printer Infill Settings: Ultimaker Cura 5
Infill density
The amount of plastic used inside the print is determined by the 3D printer infill density. A more robust object will result from a higher infill density because more plastic is inside your print. For models with a visual purpose, an infill density of about 20% is used; for end-use components, higher densities can be used.
Compared to the model on the left, the model on the right has a higher infill density.
Infill line distance
It’s also possible to set the line distance in addition to the infill density as a percentage. The spacing between each infill line is established by this, and changing the infill density has the same result.
It’s All About the 3D Printer Infill Settings: Ultimaker Cura 5
Infill pattern
It is advantageous in some use cases to be able to alter the pattern of the printed infill structure using Ultimaker Cura. For instance:
- Strong 2D infills are used for everyday prints
- Quick 2D infills are used for rapid but weak models
- 3D infills are used to make the object equally strong in all directions
- 3D concentric infills are used for flexible materials
There are several options for patterns, including:
- Grid: Strong 2D infill
- Lines: Quick 2D infill
- Triangles: Strong 2D infill
- Tri-hexagon: Strong 2D infill
- Cubic: Strong 3D infill
- Cubic (subdivision): Strong 3D infill (this saves material compared to Cubic)
- Octet: Strong 3D infill
- Quarter cubic: Strong 3D infill
- Concentric: Flexible 3D infill
- Zig-zag: A grid shaped infill, printing continuously in one diagonal direction
- Cross: Flexible 3D infill
- Cross 3D: Flexible 3D infill
- Gyroid infill: Infill with increased strength for the lowest weight
- Lightning: Infill that is extremely fast to print and only supports top surfaces
Infill line directions
Typically, the infill lines print at a 45° angle. The X- and Y-motors cooperate at this angle to produce the greatest acceleration and jerk on the layer without sacrificing quality. You can set this to 0° for vertical and 90° for horizontal if the direction in which the lines should be printed needs to be changed. For instance, [0,90] produces a top/bottom pattern that is vertically horizontal.
Infill XY offset
For each loaded model, infill patterns are centered. A X or Y offset can move the pattern to the left, right, top, or bottom. It moves UP and RIGHT when the value is positive and DOWN or LEFT when the value is negative. For the types of concentric infill, this is ineffective.
It’s All About the 3D Printer Infill Settings: Ultimaker Cura 5
Infill overlap percentage
Most of the time, Ultimaker Cura’s default setting will be adequate. However, using this setting, you can regulate how much the infill and walls overlap. Either a percentage or a true value can be set for it. A value that is too high could result in over extrusion, which could lower the visual quality of the print. The infill and walls typically bond better when the value is higher.
Skin overlap (percentage)
The skin overlap operates similarly to the previously elaborated infill overlap. Either a percentage or a true value can be set for it. The skin overlap affects all top and bottom layers in print.
It’s All About the 3D Printer Infill Settings: Ultimaker Cura 5
Infill wipe distance
With this setting, the printer is told to stop extruding after printing the infill but before printing the walls. Due to the pressure in the nozzle, the printer will still ooze a little bit of filament. Still, stopping the extrusion early can prevent over-extrusion on the shell. Observe the photo above.
Infill layer thickness
You can use thicker layers on the infill to speed up printing because the infill’s layer height is not crucial for visual quality. The walls for two layers will be printed by the printer first, and a thicker infill layer will follow. Always ensure that this setting is a multiple of the layer height when adjusting; otherwise, Ultimaker Cura will round it up to a multiple of the layer height. This implies that you can print, for instance, with an infill thickness of 0.2 mm and a 0.1 mm layer height.
Gradual infill steps
Gradual infill lowers the infill percentage in the lower layers, reducing the overall amount of infill used. The percentage of gradual infill is divided by two for each step. The result is a quicker print time and a dense infill close to the top layers, both of which are necessary.
Example: Gradual infill steps = 2 and infill = 20% –> Infill = 20% for the top 5mm, infill = 10% for the rest of the print
It’s All About the 3D Printer Infill Settings: Ultimaker Cura 5
Gradual infill step height
The height at which the infill should be reduced is known as the “gradual infill step height,” determined by the top layers. The top layers can be easily closed without additional infill in print.
Infill before walls
When this option is turned on, the infill will print before the walls. Better overhangs result from this because the walls will adhere to the printed infill. This order of printing can also be detrimental. There is a chance that the infill will be visible through the walls if the infill is printed before the walls, leading to a rougher surface finish.
Minimum infill area
With this setting, skin can be printed in place of infill in small areas on a single layer. Consider a flat roof with a chimney; the chimney is thin, fragile, and can be solidly imprinted with skin.
Skin removal and skin expansion
A model’s top and bottom skin layers are printed to the minimum thickness specified in the print profile. Some models, however, require a more robust or lightweight internal geometry. Infill would typically be printed horizontally; however, these settings either expand or remove the skin. When this is slightly expanded, protruding model components adhere to the rest of the model better, strengthening or lightening it. More robust bases will make flat surfaces with protruding elements in the Z-direction more stable.
Skin removal width
When applying skin removal, this is the width of the skin that needs to be removed. It can be used on the top and bottom layers separately.
Skin expand distance
This is a reference to how far the skin will expand. The strength will only slightly increase with a lower value. Longer but more durable prints are produced by larger values.
Maximum skin angle for expansion
Expanding the areas is unnecessary because the skin can be found all over the model. Only the regions below the angle mentioned here will expand, though. In this manner, protruding elements on flat surfaces will be strengthened without affecting the rest of the model. In this case, 0° is horizontal (and does not cause anything to expand), whereas 90° is vertical (and causes everything to expand).
Minimum skin width for expansion
This setting will stop the top and bottom of the skin’s small areas from expanding. It is used mainly when a model’s strength is only targeted on its broad, flat surfaces.
What are your best parameters for Cura infill settings?
Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page to let us know your ideas, and we would appreciate seeing pictures of your works of art!
