9 Ways How to Fix Vertical Lines in Resin Prints

Many users complain about vertical lines on their resin 3D prints but they have no idea why it’s happening in the first place. This article will take you through some tested methods of how to fix vertical lines in resin prints.

Keep on reading through this article to learn how to improve your resin print quality by fixing those vertical lines.

How to Fix Vertical Lines in Resin Prints

The main ways to fix vertical lines in resin prints are to:

1. Rotate the Model Vertical Slightly
2. Try Using Odd Angles such as 33° and 46°
3. Adjust your 3D Printer’s Eccentric Nut
4. Secure the Build Plate by Tightening the Top Thumbscrew
5. Reduce Lifting Speed
6. Use a Higher Quality STL File or Repair File
7. Update the Firmware
8. Clean Cured Resin Stuck on FEP Film
9. Slice in Different Software

1. Rotate the Model Vertical Slightly

 One of the ways to fix vertical lines in resin prints is to rotate the model vertically slightly so it should fix the problem. Vertical lines can be caused by aliasing, so in that case rotating the model vertically a little will help.

The same user recommended trying opening the .photon files in ChiTuBox before you print so you can see artifacts like the ones in the shared example below.

2. Try Using Odd Angles Such as 33° and 46°

You can also fix this by rotating the model at certain angles.

One user recommends using odd angles, such as 33° and 46°, to help fix vertical lines in 3D resin prints as it seems to work according to the community.

The video below tests a variety of different angles, such as odd ones, to see what improves smooth surfaces.

3. Adjust Your 3D Printer’s Eccentric Nut

Some users have found that adjusting the eccentric nut of your 3D printer can help fix these vertical lines. It only worked for some users though, while others said the problem still occurred.

Anycubic has a useful video on YouTube teaching you how to properly adjust your 3D printer’s eccentric nut.

4. Secure the Build Plate by Tightening the Top Thumbscrew

One important thing in order to fix vertical lines in resin 3D printers is making sure to secure the build plate by tightening the top thumbscrew as at least one user got a lot of vertical lines because his build plate wasn’t completely tightened.

More than one user recommends as an upgrade to switch to bigger and longer screws that can be tightened with a real wrench.

One user said the best upgrade he made to his resin 3D printer was buying larger screws that can be tightened with a wrench. It allows you to tighten it without stripping the screw.

5. Reduce Lifting Speed

Many users have fixed vertical lines in their 3D prints due to having high lift speeds, especially if your 3D printer is on an unstable surface.

If the lift speed is too quick, it could cause these vertical line issues since it can put too much stress on the Z-gantry, making it wobble and shift. It also adds to the suction pressure while the build plate lifts, especially with larger models.

Try reducing your lifting speed and see if that addresses the issue. Your printing times will increase, but your quality can increase as a result.

Users really recommend you start using TSMC, which stands for two-stage motion control and it allows you to divide your build plate retract and lift movement into two stages (just off the FEP, then further along).

It does have to be supported by your printer as it will enable you to properly adjust your lift speed steps without compromising print speed.

Here’s an example of some settings from a user with an Elegoo Saturn.

3DPrintingPro did a video all about lifting height settings and how to get better resin 3D prints without vertical lines.

6. Use a Higher Quality STL File or Repair File

Vertical lines can also be inherent to the model. So to avoid that issue you need to make sure you are using high quality STL files.

STLs are made out of various triangles of many sizes, so to make a round shape, the person who made the model needs to make sure they didn’t select any option that would reduce resolution as explained by one user.

 

 

7. Update the Firmware

There are a few known firmware issues, especially in 3D printers like the Elegoo Saturn, that cause a lot of vertical lines. In that case, you need to contact Elegoo’s support so they can provide you with the correct firmware file for the fix.

One user wrongly assumed his Saturn’s firmware was up-to-date but sometimes manufacturers will stealth update firmware so it may be good to think about updating anyway.

At least one user solved his vertical line’s issues by updating his firmware.

Yasmeen Yarkspiri did a great video teaching how to update a 3D printer’s firmware. Check it out below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o8oS0_j6bE

8. Clean Cured Resin Stuck on FEP Film

An important measure to take in order to avoid vertical lines in resin prints is cleaning the cured resin that sticks in the FEP film as suggested by one user.

Users recommend never using a scraper in the FEP film to avoid damaging it. A way that worked for a user to clean cured resin stick on the FEP film is to clean as much of the liquid resin out of the vat by filtering it out and cleaning it with isopropyl alcohol.

Then you slightly fill up the vat with clean IPA and let it sit overnight. After that, it dries out the resin and it should come loose easily.

Another way is to gently press the bottom side of the FEP film where the cured resin is to loosen up the bond. This gently pressure along with using the plastic scraper to get underneath can clean it out, but you do have to be very careful.

Check out this awesome video by Slice Print Roleplay teaching how to clean your resin 3D printer vat and all the cured resin that is stuck on there!

9. Slice in Different Software

The software you are using to slice your model can also be the reason you are having vertical lines in your printed objects. There is some user advice about trying to print them again on a different slicer to see if the results will be the same.

As far as the best slicer software, you will get many mixed opinions as users are very attached to their slicer of option. A user even joked that politics and religion have fewer debates than the 3D printing community has about what slicer software is the best.

In the end, the best idea is to try out different software programs and find out what slicer works best for you and your workflow. I usually use Lychee Slicer, but ChiTuBox has been going through some great updates that make it a contender.

Some of the most recommended slicer software out there are:

• Lychee Slicer
• ChiTuBox
• PrusaSlicer