INFLUENCE OF LAYER HEIGHT ON THE SURFACE ROUGHNESS OF FDM PRINTED PETG PARTS

Abstract

This paper investigates the influence of layer height, one of the key parameters in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing, on the surface roughness of parts manufactured using PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) material. Specimens were printed with different layer heights (0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, and 0.3 mm) under identical printing conditions to evaluate how this parameter affects surface quality. Surface roughness (Ra) was measured using a profilometer, and the results indicate that increased layer height leads to higher surface roughness values, resulting in a rougher surface finish. The findings highlight the importance of selecting an appropriate layer height to achieve the desired surface quality, particularly in applications where aesthetics or functional surface characteristics are critical. This study contributes to the optimization of PETG 3D printing processes in contexts where surface finish is of particular importance.