Layer height: how thick the layers of a part are

What layer height is

In FDM printing a part is built from thin layers, one on top of another. Layer height is the thickness of each one, and it is the main thing that decides the print time and how fine the sides of the part look.

Thinner layers mean a smoother surface but a much longer print. Thicker layers shorten the print, but the layers are more visible. How this relates to the nozzle is also described in the OrcaSlicer documentation.

Why we print at 0.2 mm

We print everything at a standard layer height of 0.2 mm with a 0.4 mm nozzle. For a 0.4 mm nozzle OrcaSlicer gives a usable range of roughly 0.08 to 0.32 mm, so 0.2 mm is a sensible middle between appearance and print time.

You do not choose the layer height in the calculator, it is fixed. So the price depends only on your model and on what you choose in the calculator.

What layers look like on the finished part

• Vertical walls are nicely straight, and you will see the fine layers on them more under a light than at first glance.
• Sloped and rounded surfaces, such as the top of a ball or a gentle slope, have tiny steps. The flatter the surface, the wider the steps.
• Horizontal surfaces are smooth, because they are made of one continuous layer.

What to think about when designing

Details smaller in height than one layer will not print, so make a small relief or lettering at least several layers deep. With a rounded top it helps if the part lies so that the most important surface is vertical or completely flat. If you are not sure about the orientation, write to us and we will advise.