175 lines
6.3 KiB
Markdown
175 lines
6.3 KiB
Markdown
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# November 2025 Challenge: "Wait, This Was Printed? How Are There No Layer Lines?"
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## Challenge Overview
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Can you achieve the smoothest, most layer-line-free surface finish possible? This challenge pushes your printer tuning, slicer settings, and material knowledge to the limit. The goal is simple but difficult: create a 25mm cube with 2 walls and no top that looks so smooth, people question whether it was actually 3D printed!
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This challenge focuses on:
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- Surface finish quality and smoothness
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- Proper printer calibration and tuning
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- Optimal slicer settings for layer adhesion
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- Material selection and temperature control
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- The art of making layer lines disappear
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## Challenge Rules
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### Materials & Constraints
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- **Filament**: 3D Fuel filament (any type: PLA+, Pro PLA+, PCTG etc.)
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- **Nozzle Requirement**: Must use a 0.4mm nozzle (REQUIRED)
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- **Estimated Filament Usage**: Approximately 3 grams (for reference only)
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- **Model Specification**:
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- **Dimensions**: Exactly 25mm × 25mm × 25mm cube (REQUIRED)
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- **Wall Count**: Exactly 2 walls (no more, no less) (REQUIRED)
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- **Top Layers**: 0 (no top surface)
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- **Bottom Layers**: Standard (as needed for proper adhesion)
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- **Infill**: 0% (hollow interior)
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- **Print Mode**: Standard FDM/FFF printing (no resin printing)
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### Competition Categories
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- **Smoothest Surface**: Best overall surface finish with minimal visible layer lines straight off the printer
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- **No post-processing allowed** - cubes must be judged as-printed
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### Judging Criteria
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1. **Layer Line Visibility** (100%): The appearance and visibility of layer lines - less visible is better
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- All cubes must meet basic challenge requirements (25mm cube dimensions, exactly 2 walls, no post-processing)
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- Winner is determined solely by smoothness of surface and minimal layer line appearance
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- **Tiebreaker**: If two prints are too close to differentiate, the fastest print time wins
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### Submission Requirements
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- **Physical Model**: Bring your printed 25mm cube to the December meetup for judging
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- **Dimension Verification**: Must be exactly 25mm x 25mm x 25mm
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- **Wall Count Verification**: Must show exactly 2 walls when inspected
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- **Print Time**: Record and report your total print time (used as tiebreaker if needed)
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- **Documentation**: Include photos showing:
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- Close-up surface details
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- Overall cube appearance
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- Cross-section or wall thickness (optional)
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- **Settings Documentation**: Share your winning settings:
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- Layer height
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- Print temperature
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- Print speed
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- Cooling settings
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- Any special techniques used
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- **Process Notes**: Brief description of your approach
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### Evaluation Process
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- **Dimension & Wall Check**: Verification of 25mm cube dimensions and exactly 2 walls (must pass to be eligible)
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- **Visual Inspection**: Expert panel examines layer line visibility under good lighting
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- **Community Voting**: People's choice for most impressive result
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## Prizes & Recognition
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### Awards
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- **Smoothest Surface Winner**: Best layer-line elimination straight off the printer
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- **People's Choice Award**: Community favorite
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### Documentation
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- Winner photos for social media sharing
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- Settings profiles shared with community
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- Technique documentation for learning
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## Timeline
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- **Challenge Announcement**: November 12, 2025 (at November meetup)
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- **Submission Deadline**: December 10, 2025 (at December meetup)
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- **Judging Period**: December 10, 2025 (during December meetup)
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- **Winner Announcement**: December 10, 2025 (end of December meetup)
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## Model Creation Instructions
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### Using the Provided Model
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**Download the pre-configured cube:**
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- **File Location**: [Challenge Files/November2025/Cube.3mf](../../Challenge%20Files/November2025/Cube.3mf)
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- **Pre-configured**: Already set to 25mm × 25mm × 25mm with 2 walls and no top
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- **Ready to slice**: Import into your slicer and adjust settings for your printer
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### Creating the Cube Model from Scratch
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#### Using Bambu Studio
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**Step 1: Add Primitive**
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1. Open Bambu Studio to a new project
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2. Right-click on the build plate
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3. Select "Add Primitive"
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4. Select "Cube"
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**Step 2: Resize the Cube**
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1. Click to resize the cube
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3. Set X to 25mm and Y and Z should also set to 25mm(If uniform scale cause issue you can uncheck)
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#### Alternative Methods
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- **Fusion 360**: Create square sketch (25mm × 25mm), extrude to 25mm height
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- **Tinkercad**: Use cube shape, adjust dimensions to 25mm × 25mm × 25mm
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- **FreeCAD**: Create cube with specified dimensions
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- **Any CAD Software**: Simple cube 25mm × 25mm × 25mm
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- **Use provided file**: Open `Challenge Files/November2025/Cube.3mf` directly
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### Basic Cube Setup
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### Slicer Configuration
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1. **Create or Download Model**:
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- Use the provided `Challenge Files/November2025/Cube.3mf` file
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- Or create using any CAD software (25mm × 25mm × 25mm cube)
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- Or use the Bambu Studio/Orca Slicer primitive steps above
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2. **Slicer Settings** (Critical):
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- **Dimensions**: 25mm × 25mm × 25mm
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- **Wall Count/Perimeters**: 2
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- **Top Layers**: 0
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- **Bottom Layers**: 3-5 (as needed)
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- **Infill**: 0%
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- **Layer Height**: Your choice (hint: smaller = smoother, but slower)
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3. **Tips for Success**:
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- **Lower layer heights** (0.1mm-0.12mm) help reduce visible lines
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- **Slower speeds** improve surface quality
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- **Temperature tuning** is critical for layer adhesion
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- **Linear advance/pressure advance** can help with consistency
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- **Proper cooling** prevents warping without sacrificing layer bonding
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- **Material choice** matters - some filaments naturally produce smoother surfaces
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### Advanced Techniques to Consider
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- **Slicer Tricks**:
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- Adjust line width for better wall fusion
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- Experiment with different seam positions
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- Use variable layer heights if supported
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- Try different acceleration/jerk settings
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- **Material Selection**:
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- Experiment with different 3D Fuel filament types
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- Colors can also give different appearance levels
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### What NOT to Do
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- Do not exceed 2 walls
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- Do not add a top surface
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- Do not deviate from 25mm cube dimensions
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- **No post-processing allowed** (no sanding, heat treatment, chemical smoothing, etc.)
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Good luck creating the smoothest cube possible! May your layer lines vanish into nothingness!
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