8 Ways How to Fix Resin 3D Printer Layer Shifts

Many users have experienced layer shifts in their resin 3D prints, leading to print failures and models that can’t really be used. It’s important to find the cause of these layer shifts then apply a fix.

Keep on reading through this article to finally learn how to fix these layer shifts in your resin prints.

How to Fix Resin 3D Printer Layer Shifts

Here’s how to fix resin 3D printer layer shifts:

1. Tighten the knob holding your build plate
2. Avoid knocking into the resin 3D printer
3. Set the right bottom and normal exposure times
4. Increase support in the correct positions
5. Try lowering lift speed
6. Improve orientation of your prints
7. Clean dirt or flaws on your resin screen
8. 3D print less heavy models or hollow it

1.  Tighten the Knob Holding Your Build Plate

One simple way that you can fix layer shifts in your resin 3D prints is to simply tighten up the knob that holds your build plate. In my experience, I’ve forgotten to tighten this knob down and it led to some pretty bad layer shifting and a print failure.

After you remove your build plate from the machine, you want to make sure you tighten this thumb screw down. You might forget to do it since you are occupied with removing the model and cleaning up things, since there is a workflow with resin printing.

I’d recommend getting used to tightening this screw up as soon as you slide the build plate onto the 3D printer.

2. Avoid Knocking into the Resin 3D Printer

Another way to fix layer shifts is to avoid knocking into the 3D printer itself. An accidental knock into your resin printer can cause a layer shift, especially if it happens while the model is in the curing phase with the UV light on.

This can also happen if the surface your 3D printer is on moves around from being bumped into.

You want to have your 3D printer on a nice stable surface that can’t be moved easily, and ideally in an area that is clear, without many objects around it. Minimizing movement around your 3D printer should definitely help reduce layer shifts in your models.

3. Set The Right Bottom And Normal Exposure Times

Normal exposure is the number of seconds the UV light emits from the printer’s screen to cure your resin in the resin vat onto the building plate. Bottom exposure is also the same but only for the initial layers at the bottom.

When the bottom and average exposure times are insufficient, the consequence is a poor set resin.

Due to the suction force and high speed of the resin printing process, having weak anchors consisting of hardened resin and a base may cause the resin printer layer to shift.

Calibrating the right exposure times for your prints not only fixes layer shifts but also does wonders for your prints in terms of overall quality.

One method that has worked for users to fix layer shifts in resin prints is to set optimal bottom and normal exposure times. Bottles of resin have recommendations on what normal exposure times to use, but there is a wide variance depending on what light source your 3D printer has.

It’s a better idea to do your own testing with the normal exposure using some like a Resin Validation Matrix model or the Cones of Calibration model. Another interesting resin exposure model I found is the Siraya Tech Test Model V5.

For the bottom exposure, you’ll want to increase this until the bottom layers stick down to the build plate.

 

You have to set your exposure times correctly to get that perfect print each time. You can check out this video from 3DPrintFarm on how to get your exposure times perfect.

4. Increase Support In The Correct Positions

A key fix to resin 3D printer layer shifts is to increase support in the right positions of your print model.

One user experienced layer shifts on his resin 3D printer and it was because of poor supports. The model ended up coming off the supports, due to not having thick enough supports, as well as the normal exposure time maybe being too low.

You can adjust your supports to be thicker, having a wider contact area, and have a deeper penetration to the model. If your supports are thin with a small contact area, it’s easy for them not to fully print and not actually support the model.

This can then lead to your resin 3D prints having layer shifts. It’s better to over-support your model than under-support, but you’ll learn how to gradually optimize supports with experience.

Check out the video below by 3D Printed Tabletop to show you how to support your resin models.

 

Layered shifting can also occur on sections of your resin model that aren’t appropriately maintained. It can cause sheets to move and cause a mismatch.

5. Try Lowering Lift Speed

Lowering your lift speed can also fix layer shifting issues on a resin 3D printer. One user using the Anycubic Photon Mono X was having a layer shifting issue. He was advised to lower his lift speed, which lowers pressure on the supports.

A higher lift speed applies more force over less time. A slower lift speed applies less force over a longer period and this can help solve resin layer shifts.

This is a great video from 3DPrintingPro which explains everything about lift speed.

6. Improve Orientation Of Your Prints

Layer shifting may occur if you tilt your print incorrectly. Improving your print orientation can actually help you fix layer shifting.

This user was experiencing support failure and layer shifting using the Elegoo Mars 2 and was not sure which is the best orientation for his print model.

He was advised to print vertically bottom-up and beef up the support and it worked great.

When printing with resin, the general rule is to angle your prints between 10 and 45° to reduce the size of each layer’s base.

One user got great results after placing the prototype slightly inclined away from the ground.

You can check out my article on How to Orient Models for Resin 3D Printing.

3DPrintFarm made a video on this as well, which is very useful for orienting your resin models.

7. Clean Dirt Or Flaws On Your Resin Screen

If you have cured resin left behind in the resin vat, it can prevent UV light from being emitted from the screen. This can lead to layer shifts.

Cleaning the resin from the screen is as simple as using a napkin or washcloth, spraying it with isopropyl alcohol, and wiping it down. After that, dry the display to remove any remaining streaks.

If you have cured resin on the screen, it might need a plastic razor and a soak in isopropyl alcohol before you can properly remove it. Make sure you aren’t scratching off the top layer of the screen itself though.

It’s a good idea to use a plastic screen protector on your resin screens to have a layer of protection from resin spills.

Longer3D made a video about how you can clean cured resin from the screen.

8. 3D Print Less Heavy Models or Hollow It

When a model is too heavy, especially towards one side, you might experience layer shifts in your resin 3D prints. A large model can easily get heavy if it isn’t hollowed or doesn’t have drain holes to let the resin drain out during printing.

If these layer shifts happen mostly on larger models, hollow out the model or 3D print smaller objects. It’s possible to give your models infill rather than being completely hollow if you still want some strength for the object.

I wrote a guide on How to Hollow Resin 3D Prints, so feel free to check that out.