3D Printer Tolerance - Gap Test

myminifactory

(Yes, I misspelled "differences" in the photo. :) ) This design is a remix of a tolerance test by druppy (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1420023). I greatly reduced the dimensions and printing time. With my design, the tolerance gaps range from 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm IN DIAMETER (radius difference x 2). For example, in my design the difference between the inside diameter of the 1 mm hole and the outside diameter of the corresponding peg/plug/button is 1 mm total (0.5 mm radius difference x 2).  You simply print the test, and push out the buttons (by hand), until you hit buttons that won't push out. You will know pretty quickly which buttons are fused in place -- they don't budge. It is fun to start with the widest gap and then work up to the smallest gap. So far, the best print tolerance that I have been able to print on my design is the 0.4 mm gap. 0.1, 0.2 & 0.3 mm are fused in place (see the photo). I would print this test at a high quality setting if you want to know your printer's limitations, or if you want to know the tolerances for a given design, print the test at the same resolution and settings that you plan on printing your design.