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A Simple Guide to Infill in 3D Printing

A Simple Guide to Infill in 3D Printing

3D printing infill refers to the internal structure of a 3D printed part. The purpose of infill is to optimize part weight, strength, and printing time. There are many infill patterns that exist. This article will explain 3D printing infill, guide you to choose the correct infill density and pattern, and define the various infill patterns.

Infill Density

infill density
Source: my3dprintpro.com

The infill density defines the amount of plastic used on the inside of the print. A higher infill density means that there is more plastic on the inside of your print, leading to a stronger object.

 

Normally, a slicer software allows the percentage of material to be modified from 0% (hollow part) to 100% (totally solid part). A hollow part requires less time and material, thereby reducing the overall strength, weight, and cost.

Choosing Infill Percentage

infill settings

Use these recommendations to choose the best infill percentage based on the requirements of your print

  • 0-20% Non-functional parts: For parts that are not functional or do not need to withstand a force such as a display model or presentation prototypes. Sometimes, zero infill is an applicable option if there are no large flat surfaces on the top of the print.
  • 20-40% Light-use parts: For parts that will undergo some force. A medium amount of infill provides almost the same strength as a solid part at a reduced cost.
  • 40-100% Heavy-use parts: For parts that must withstand significant forces or strength. However, increasing the infill percentage above 60% will significantly increase the print time and material usage.

Infill Pattern

infill pattern
Source: Kronr via Pinshape

Infill pattern is the structure and shape of the material inside of a part. The geometrical structure of the internal plastic is just as important as the density, the patterns can be lines, grids, triangles, and many other 2D or 3D patterns. Not only does the chosen pattern affect print times and material usage, but it can also have a significant impact on the printed part’s strength, weight, and flexibility.

Choosing Infill Pattern

Like infill density, some patterns are better than others for certain functions. Finding the right infill pattern depends on the purpose of the 3D-printed part. Let's go through four categories that will help you to choose the right infill patterns for your part.

  • Standard prints: for 3D prints subjected to low stress, a medium-strength infill pattern is recommended such as a grid or triangles.
grid
The grid infill pattern creates two perpendicular sets of lines. Together this forms a pattern of squares.
triangles
The triangles pattern creates three sets of lines in three different directions. Together this forms a pattern of triangles.
  • Functional prints: for parts that require high strength in multiple directions, a strong infill pattern should be used such as cubic or gyroid.
cubic
The cubic pattern creates cubes, a 3-dimensional pattern. The cubes are oriented standing on a corner, which allows printing them without overhanging internal surfaces.
gyroid
The gyroid infill pattern produces a wavy pattern that alternates directions.
  • Figurine and model prints: such parts don’t require a lot of strength, therefore, it's recommended to use lines pattern.
lines
The lines pattern creates parallel lines. By default, the lines pattern alternates its direction perpendicularly from layer to layer, which makes it look like the grid pattern at first glance.
  • Flexible prints: to preserve the flexibility of the print, a concentric pattern should be used.
concentric
The concentric pattern creates rings parallel to the walls.

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