Optimized Tolerance Test / Gap Slicing

test

Tolerance Test - Optimized

Variants

• Variant 1: 0.05 mm – 0.30 mm Gap
   
• Variant 2: 0.35 mm – 0.60 mm Gap
   

How to adjust your print:

Open your slicer and search for "Slice Gap Closing Radius" Gradually reduce the value (e.g., to 0.025 mm or even 0.01 mm) if your print "sticks" too much. Increase it if small gaps remain unintentionally open (default is 0.049). Repeat the tolerance test until you achieve the desired accuracy.

Additional Optimization Options

• with a 0.4 mm nozzle, the 0.05 mm gap could be successfully printed with:
  • 0.15 mm layer thickness
  • precision at 0.003 / 0.001 
  • Arachne perimeter engine enabled
  • outer wall speed reduced to 50 mm/s

   

• Additionally, check your elephant foot compensation to prevent small gaps from being sealed at the bottom.

Details

• Gap sizes:
  • 0.05 / 0.10 / 0.15 / 0.20 / 0.25 / 0.30 mm
  • 0.35 / 0.40 / 0.45 / 0.50 / 0.55 / 0.60 mm
• Goal: Test of mechanical precision for various filament types, print profiles, and nozzle diameters
• Recommended for: PLA, PETG, TPU (as well as other materials)

Application

1. Print the model without supports.
2. After printing, carefully move or free the bridges. (Rotate, push, possibly also from below)
3. The smallest dimension that can still move freely (or is not stuck) indicates the mechanical tolerance of your setup.

💡 Why is this important?

Depending on the filament (PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, etc.), color, or nozzle diameter, printing properties can vary greatly.
This test helps you determine the correct tolerance for:

• Fits
• Snap-fits
• Part clearance

– and saves material and time.

Also use my Compensation for Circular Openings to achieve even better results:   https://makerworld.com/en/models/1711661-compensation-for-circular-openings#profileId-1816308