UltiMaker uses functional, analytical and tracking cookies. Tracking cookies enhance your experience on our website and may also collect your personal data outside of Ultimaker websites. If you agree with the use of tracking cookies, click “I agree, continue browsing”. You can withdraw your consent at any time. If you do not consent with the use of tracking cookies, click “Refuse”. You can find more information about cookies on our Privacy and Cookie Policy page.
Print in place parts are always a tough task for any printer. Fortunately Cura (at least the newer versions) has an adjustment that can really improve dimensional accuracy. You may have to search and turn them on, but I know they are available when "Expert" settings are selected. There are 3 of them, and all can be found by searching "expansion".
Horizontal Expansion is the first of the 3. This adjust all polygons in a layer to "shrink" or "expand" them. Negative values will bring polygons in towards the meat of the part (smaller outer dimensions, larger inner dimensions). I have this set to -0.125mm.
Initial Layer Horizontal Expansion is next. This functions the same as the first setting, but only on the initial layer. I have this set to -0.2mm to get rid of "elephants foot".
Last is Hole Horizontal Expansion. This is another similar setting but only applies to "holes" in the part. This setting also is valued inversely, so positive values give larger inner diameters, and negative values will shrink holes. I have this set to +0.15mm.
These settings give me the best dimensional accuracy that I have found. I am usually within +-0.1mm tolerance. These settings may or may not work with what you are trying, but will give you a starting point. With a pair of calipers and some calibration models, you can adjust from stock, or from these values as needed.
Link to post
Share on other sites
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
🚀 Help Shape the Future of Cura and Digital Factory – Join Our Power User Research Program!
We’re looking for active users of Cura and Digital Factory — across professional and educational use cases — to help us improve the next generation of our tools.
Our Power User Research Program kicks off with a quick 15-minute interview to learn about your setup and workflows. If selected, you’ll be invited into a small group of users who get early access to features and help us shape the future of 3D printing software.
🧪 What to Expect:
A short 15-minute kickoff interview to help us get to know you If selected, bi-monthly research sessions (15–30 minutes) where we’ll test features, review workflows, or gather feedback Occasional invites to try out early prototypes or vote on upcoming improvements
🎁 What You’ll Get:
Selected participants receive a free 1-year Studio or Classroom license Early access to new features and tools A direct voice in what we build next
👉 Interested? Please fill out this quick form
Your feedback helps us make Cura Cloud more powerful, more intuitive, and more aligned with how you actually print and manage your workflow.
Thanks for being part of the community,
The full stable release of Cura 5.10 has arrived, and it brings support for the new Ultimaker S8, as well as new materials and profiles for previously supported UltiMaker printers. Additionally, you can now control your models in Cura using a 3D SpaceMouse and more!
Recommended Posts
FRabe 5
Print in place parts are always a tough task for any printer. Fortunately Cura (at least the newer versions) has an adjustment that can really improve dimensional accuracy. You may have to search and turn them on, but I know they are available when "Expert" settings are selected. There are 3 of them, and all can be found by searching "expansion".
Horizontal Expansion is the first of the 3. This adjust all polygons in a layer to "shrink" or "expand" them. Negative values will bring polygons in towards the meat of the part (smaller outer dimensions, larger inner dimensions). I have this set to -0.125mm.
Initial Layer Horizontal Expansion is next. This functions the same as the first setting, but only on the initial layer. I have this set to -0.2mm to get rid of "elephants foot".
Last is Hole Horizontal Expansion. This is another similar setting but only applies to "holes" in the part. This setting also is valued inversely, so positive values give larger inner diameters, and negative values will shrink holes. I have this set to +0.15mm.
These settings give me the best dimensional accuracy that I have found. I am usually within +-0.1mm tolerance. These settings may or may not work with what you are trying, but will give you a starting point. With a pair of calipers and some calibration models, you can adjust from stock, or from these values as needed.
Link to post
Share on other sites