Create Perfect 3D Resin Prints by Finding the Optimal Layer Exposure Time

Subscribe For More!

Understanding exposure test models means you can nail the exposure time for your printer-resin combo. This is the secret to producing crispy 3D prints that capture every single detail of the original design. This is the Fourth Episode in our Resin Printing Series.

Related Information

Layer Exposure Time determines the light exposure duration for a single layer of an object that you are trying to print. Unlike filament printing (where it can feel like there is an almost endless amount of settings that you must know about for perfect 3D prints) resin 3D printing has much simpler dials to adjust up and down. And the most crucial dial is Layer Exposure Time and its wrong adjustment is one of the major reasons why resin 3D prints fail. It is all about finding that sweet spot. The best way to test for and find the correct Layer Exposure Time for your set-up is to print a couple of exposure test models with your Resin 3D printer at different exposure amounts. You can adjust the exposure settings directly through your 3D resin printer user interface (UI) or in your slicing software. Under-exposing or over-exposing can really cause havoc with the resin printing experience. Too long exposure will result in light bleeding and scattering deep through the resin material resulting in a loss of intricate details and dimensional inaccuracy. Too short an exposure will create an under-cure result. Under-curing can be identified by several factors such as layer de-laminations in the middle of the part, serious loss or miniaturisation of intricate details, general poor model adhesion to the build plate, or the worst, the entire model falling off the build platform. Bottoms layers are the first few layers that are exposed to UV light in your model and bottom layer exposure times are always longer than normal layers exposure times. They are exposed longer so that the model can adhere more securely to the build platform.

As a general rule for Normal Layer Exposure Time use 0.5-5 seconds for Monochrome Screen Printers and 2-20 seconds for RGB Screen Printers. Another good rule of thumb to follow is to set the Bottom Layer Exposure Time to be 8-12 times longer than the Normal Layer Exposure Time. This is a good generally but make sure to keep the bottom exposure time lower than ~30 seconds.

Core Electronics is located in the heart of Newcastle, Australia. We're powered by makers, for makers. Check us out if you are looking for:

0:00 Intro
0:12 What is Exposure Time
0:31 Results of Bad Exposure Settings
1:02 Validation Matrix Overview
1:30 Decode the Matrix
2:27 Exposure Setting Location in Lychee Slicer
3:36 Setting Location in Chitubox Slicer
3:45 Validation Matrix Spectrum
4:50 View of Perfect Model Result
5:14 Overexposed Model Result
5:39 Underexposed Model Result
6:45 Bottom Layers (Burn in Layers) Settings
7:24 Do some testing!
7:55 Exposure Setting Location through UI
8:12 Make:Rook Calibration Test Piece
8:52 Print Your Dreams!
9:07 When To Run Exposure Tests
9:40 Extra Tips
10:11 Outro

[sirayatech]

We are from Siraya Tech, and we always enjoyed your videos. This particular video is very helpful for many new users. . We also like to share that XP2 is great for brittle/hard model resin but can have issues with more flexible resins, including Fast abs-like and tough resins like Blu. This is likely due to the xp2 model is too easy to print, and that flexible resin often has a wide printable range that would make it very hard to judge. So a 1.5s may look just like a 3s one, but 1.5s may have a problem printing a real world print model. Several attempts have been made to address this aspect of the XP2 model, and we have shared this finding with the amazing Photonser who created the XP2 model.

[jammywesty]

Your channel is a gold mine! Speaking as an ex-teacher, you have the gift.

[aberodriguez]

Waiting to get all my safety gear and needed post op tools, in the mean time I am gathering as much information in resin printing and this video was very informative and great to learn from. Thank you very much for your time and information.

[Jauphrey]

I feel like I just sat through a TedTalk made just for me. Your natural speaking tone, efficient script, and the information presented of course, were a damn masterclass in educational videos.

Both as a healthcare instructor and 3D printing hobbyist, thank you very much!

[peterdocter]

The Cones of Calibration work way better for dialing in the exposure time, they give a real easy to "read" result and tuning becomes really easy! (just a tip for those watching this later on)

[frankblack]

As a newbie, I find your videos both highly informative and easy to follow. Thanks a bunch Tim for making the content. Keep up the great work.

[logantbirch]

I've had an FDM printer for years and finally decided to invest in a Resin Printer, and this video helped me understand more about resin-calibrations than any of my other research (weeks of looking). Thank you so much!

[dougcraven]

So useful and so organized. Many Youtubers I've consulted about printing are not as good at instruction as you are. You deliver the content without a lot of filler. In fact, I would call your lesson "well-calibrated". Good show.

[lordraxta]

i´m a total noob in resin printing here my printer arrives in 3 more days and this is the BEST explanation i´ve seen so far congrats

[jhkkkk]

Incredible intonations, thanks for being easy understandable and straight to the point, no rubbish.

[edwinbarreto]

Finally an expert who is able to explain complex 3D issues to new users like myself- absolutely brilliant!!! Thank you

[richarddespres]

Thank you for this video. I ran the basic test piece that came with my Photon Mono SE and used the vase layer setting on the box of my resin. I've now seen that a) the setting I settled on is way over exposed, and b) that this over exposure is part of the reason it feels like I need a jackhammer to get my prints off of the bed.

[peacekper]

Thank you for this video! I've got close to 1000 hours of FDM print experience, but I just recently picked up a MSLA resin printer and had some questions. This cleared everything up for me.

[zaphenath]

holy moly, what an excellent video! i don't even have a 3d printer and that was like perfect!

[dhaniels]

all the information here is gold jerry, gold!

[michaelhollanshed]

EXCELLENT INFORMATION! THANK YOU SIR!

[Jail-Left-Wing-Traitors]

I have to say, this is the single most helpful video on resin 3D printing for newbies like me ive seen yet 👌

[kevincantrell]

This the best explanation I have been able to find. Thanks so much.

[mjustice]

Thank you for this video. Great tips. Explaining things others never take the time to explain. For newer users like myself all these numbers a settings are greek to me, all these crazy offsets x, y, z, , bottom / top, speeds, off times, etc is just insane, however after you finally taking the time to explain this I'm actually getting results, I kept over exposering, constantly having to replace damaged fep which is a constant set back, so thanks.

[xphoenixrising]

This is EXACTLY what I needed. I haven't touched my creality in months because I couldn't get my times proper. (I'm using clear resin) so thank you so much.