3D printed parts have rough surfaces

Hello everyone,

I’m using Formlabs v3+ printer to print simple microfluidic devices, with clear resin V4.1. This is an old machine sitting around in the lab, so I installed a new resin tank and a fresh cartridge of resin as well as cleaned the optical window (maybe this was unnecessary).

I’m printing with the default settings at a 50 µm layer height and following the recommended post-processing procedure. After the initial wash, I also rinse the parts with 100% IPA using a squirt bottle, allow them to dry completely, and then perform the final UV cure.

However, even with these measures the printed device consistently have rough surfaces. For example, the attached image shows one such device. This is the case with fresh resin (well-mixed) out of a new cartridge in a brand-new tank so I believe I’ve ruled out degraded resin, debris in the resin, and tank-related issues. This is the case for almost every design I’ve printed so far.

I’m unsure whether this level of surface roughness is typical for a Form 3+, or whether it suggests another issue that I haven’t considered, such as a problem with the LPU or another hardware component. I would appreciate any insights or suggestions. Thanks.

@aksh99formslab I’m sorry to hear that you’re having some issues with your prints having rough surfaces. The best way for us to get you printing as expected is to open a support case if you haven’t already. Sending along a photo of the prints, not enlarged by a microscope, would also be very helpful.