Lithophane Thickness Calibration Tile

thingiverse

This calibration tile is specifically designed for determining the "maximum thickness" required for successful printing in lithophane generators such as lithophanemaker.com or 3dp.rocks. Typically, values of 3-4mm work well, but every filament absorbs light differently. To avoid wasting time and filament, it's essential to test a calibration tile before printing an entire lithophane only to discover that the result is too dark or lacks sufficient contrast. This print is a quick solution that uses minimal resources - just 5 grams of filament and 30 minutes of printing time using the settings below. It provides a clear indication of how much light the filament absorbs at different thicknesses, making it an invaluable tool for determining optimal settings. Features: - Each block represents a different thickness, ranging from 0.5mm to 7.0 mm. The number on each block indicates its corresponding thickness in millimeters. - The numbers are cut 0.5 mm deep into the block, providing insight into the contrast achievable at each thickness. As blocks increase in thickness, contrast decreases compared to the numbers. - The decimal point of each number is almost fully cut through, leaving only 0.5mm of plastic behind. This simulates the maximum contrast possible at each thickness (the dot represents the lightest color while the block represents the darkest). Thicker blocks exhibit better contrast versus the decimal point. - The exception to this rule is the 0.5mm tile, which extrudes text outward by 0.5mm from the tile face instead of cutting holes. This tile serves as a fine-tuning tool for temperature and single-extrusion settings rather than thickness testing. After printing, choose a thickness that balances contrast between all elements on the tile. Use this value as your "max thickness" in lithophane generators. Commercial use is allowed; if you find this tool helpful, consider donating a few cents using the thingiverse tipping feature to support my 3D-printing addiction. Thank you!