One of the most important aspects of 3D printing is ensuring parts come out to the correct size. Dimensional inaccuracies can prevent parts from fitting together, cause tolerance issues, or make functional parts unusable. Accuracy depends on calibration, slicer settings, and mechanical stability.
Symptoms:
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Parts too big or too small compared to model.
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Holes print undersized.
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Functional parts don’t fit as intended.
Causes:
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Poor steps/mm calibration.
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Shrinkage due to material cooling.
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Incorrect flow/extrusion settings.
Troubleshooting Steps:
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Calibrate X, Y, and Z steps/mm.
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Measure and tune extrusion multiplier.
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Use scaling adjustments in slicer if needed.
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Compensate for shrinkage (especially ABS, nylon, PEEK).
Prevention Tips:
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Print calibration cubes regularly.
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Choose materials with lower shrinkage for critical parts.
