Profile Management

Learn how to configure and manage print profiles for different resins and materials in NanoDLP.

Overview

NanoDLP profiles allow you to create and manage different print configurations for various resins and materials. Each profile contains settings that can override machine-level configurations and are optimized for specific printing scenarios. This guide focuses on practical profile creation and management rather than just listing parameters.

Why Profiles Matter

Profiles are essential because:

Different resins need different settings for optimal results
Consistent quality across multiple prints
Time savings from not reconfiguring settings
Material optimization for cost and quality
Team collaboration with shared configurations

Creating Your First Profile

Step 1: Start with a Base Profile

Go to Profiles in the main menu
Click Add Profile or duplicate an existing profile
Give it a descriptive name (e.g., “Standard Resin - 0.05mm”)
Choose a distinctive color for easy identification

Step 2: Configure Essential Settings

Start with these critical parameters that affect print quality:

Basic Print Settings

Cure Time: Start with 8-12 seconds for standard resins
Lift Speed: 60-100 mm/min for most printers
Retract Speed: 150-300 mm/min for faster printing
Z Step Wait: 0.5-1 second between movements

Support Settings

Support Cure Time: Usually 1.5-2x normal cure time
Support Top Wait: 2-5 seconds for proper adhesion
Support Wait Height: 1-2 mm above the build platform

Step 3: Test and Refine

Print a small calibration model
Check layer adhesion and surface quality
Adjust cure time if layers don’t stick properly
Fine-tune speeds if you experience issues

Profile Types and Use Cases

Standard Resin Profiles

Best for: General-purpose printing, prototypes, functional parts

Typical Settings:

Cure Time: 8-12 seconds
Lift Speed: 80 mm/min
Layer Height: 0.05-0.1 mm
Support Settings: Standard support configuration

When to Use:

First-time setup
General prototyping
Learning and experimentation
Most standard resins

High-Detail Profiles

Best for: Miniatures, detailed models, display pieces

Typical Settings:

Cure Time: 10-15 seconds
Lift Speed: 60 mm/min
Layer Height: 0.025-0.05 mm
Anti-Aliasing: Enabled
Multi-Cure: 2-3 passes

When to Use:

High-detail requirements
Small, intricate models
Display-quality prints
Professional applications

Fast Production Profiles

Best for: Batch printing, rapid prototyping, functional testing

Typical Settings:

Cure Time: 6-8 seconds
Lift Speed: 100-150 mm/min
Layer Height: 0.075-0.1 mm
Anti-Aliasing: Disabled (for speed)
Multi-Cure: 1-2 passes

When to Use:

Quick iterations
Functional testing
Batch production
Time-sensitive projects

Specialty Material Profiles

Best for: Flexible resins, high-temperature materials, specialty applications

Typical Settings:

Cure Time: 15-25 seconds (material-dependent)
Lift Speed: 40-60 mm/min (slower for delicate materials)
Layer Height: 0.05-0.075 mm
Multi-Cure: 3-4 passes
Special handling: May need custom G-code

When to Use:

Flexible or specialty resins
High-temperature applications
Medical or food-safe materials
Experimental materials

Essential Profile Settings Explained

Cure Time: The Foundation

What it does: Controls how long each layer is exposed to UV light

How to set it:

Start conservative: Begin with manufacturer recommendations
Test with calibration: Use a small test print to verify
Adjust based on results: Increase if layers don’t stick, decrease if over-cured
Consider layer height: Thicker layers may need longer cure times

Common values:

Fast resins: 6-8 seconds
Standard resins: 8-12 seconds
Slow resins: 12-18 seconds
Specialty resins: 15-25 seconds

Movement Settings: Speed and Reliability

Lift Speed: How fast the platform moves up between layers

Too fast: May cause layer separation
Too slow: Increases print time unnecessarily
Sweet spot: 60-100 mm/min for most applications

Retract Speed: How fast the platform moves down to the next layer

Can be faster: Usually 2-3x lift speed
Consider resin viscosity: Thicker resins may need slower retraction

Z Step Wait: Pause between movements

Purpose: Allows resin to settle and bubbles to escape
Too short: May cause air bubbles or poor adhesion
Too long: Unnecessary delays

Support Configuration: Building Success

Support Cure Time: Exposure time for support structures

Usually longer: 1.5-2x normal cure time
Purpose: Ensures supports are strong enough
Too short: Weak supports may fail
Too long: Over-cured supports are hard to remove

Support Wait Height: When support settings take effect

Start early: Begin 1-2 mm above the build platform
Consider model: Complex models may need earlier support

Advanced Profile Features

Multi-Cure: Enhanced Quality

What it does: Performs multiple curing passes per layer

When to use:

Quality requirements: High-detail or professional prints
Difficult materials: Resins that need extra curing
Complex geometries: Models with challenging features

Configuration:

Start with 2 passes: Most materials benefit from this
Increase if needed: Up to 4 passes for difficult materials
Monitor time: Each pass adds time per layer

Anti-Aliasing: Smooth Surfaces

What it does: Smooths edges and reduces stair-stepping

When to use:

Curved surfaces: Models with lots of curves
High quality: When surface finish matters
Display models: Parts that will be visible

Configuration:

Enable for quality: Set to 1 for smooth surfaces
Adjust threshold: Lower values = smoother but slower
Test first: Verify quality improvement vs. time cost

Adaptive Slicing: Smart Layer Thickness

What it does: Automatically adjusts layer thickness based on geometry

When to use:

Mixed complexity: Models with both simple and complex areas
Time optimization: Faster printing of simple areas
Quality optimization: Better detail in complex areas

Configuration:

Enable: Set Adapt Slicing to 1
Set range: Min 0.025mm, Max 0.1mm (start conservative)
Test transitions: Ensure smooth transitions between thicknesses