<p><a href="https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/q/10986/11157">This question</a> asks about computing the fundamental layer height unit for full Z-motor steps, on the basis of a theory that layer thickness can be inconsistent if the height is at different micro-stepping positions on different layers. The specific printer mentioned in the question is an Ender 3, which I also have, and while I've wondered in the past <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIkT8asT90A" rel="nofollow noreferrer">based on this video</a> whether using whole-step layer heights helps, I haven't seen conclusive evidence that it really does.</p>

<p>According to the research in <a href="https://hackaday.com/2016/08/29/how-accurate-is-microstepping-really/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">How Accurate Is Microstepping Really?</a>, the A4988 stepper drivers (which this printer uses) have near-linear microstepping response, at least under the test conditions, which suggests there's little or no benefit to using whole-step layer heights.</p>

<p>Has anyone done experiments to determine/demonstrate whether use of layer heights that aren't whole steps actually leads to extrusion/layer adhesion problems or other structural or cosmetic issues?</p>

<p>I did a quick test with a 20 mm cube and 0.2 mm layers (5 full steps, left) and 0.1975 mm layers (1 microstep short of 5 full steps, right) and there is no readily apparent difference:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/8QjMM.jpg" alt="test prints"></p>

<p>And repeated with single walls:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/vVqux.jpg" alt="test prints"></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-10T07:11:20.300Z
Could you report the printed height of both (using a caliper)? Just out of interest and for information as the 0.1975 mm layer cube requires "101.2" (effectively 101) layers to reach 20 mm, while the 0.2 mm needs 100 layers. E.g. it could be that it is doing 0.2 mm layer heights for many layers.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-10T10:55:33.330Z
@0scar: My caliper only measures to 0.1 mm so it probably won't be very helpful. I don't see how it could be doing 0.2 mm for all layers though - the Z moves are in absolute coordinates, and clearly right in the gcode.
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-10T11:20:08.650Z
You are right, not for all layers, but it must be some, e.g. those close to the full step.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-10T11:52:12.233Z
I'm also not sure where the idea comes from with the "full steps as layer height".
You will rarely end up at exactly a full step at Z=0, so even "even" layer heights like 0.2 mm would have to stepper driver move to stepper to locations which are off by a few microsteps. Now, this might mean the stepper reliably falls back to the last full step, and all subsequent layers are identical again (except for the 1st), but that would just mean you've got far too low Z axis currents / too much weight to begin with.
towe
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-10T11:52:36.290Z
@0scar: Both measure 20.0 mm on one side, 19.8 mm on the other side; seems to be from damage to bed surface making bottom not entirely level.
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-10T11:53:25.433Z
@towe: It's not a matter of falling back to full steps. It's about non-linearity of microstep positioning. See this article: https://hackaday.com/2016/08/29/how-accurate-is-microstepping-really/
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-10T11:57:46.843Z
Aside: clear/natural PLA with flash photography is really nice for looking at this kind of detail.
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-10T14:26:32.653Z
@0scar: Actually that 0.2 mm difference from one side to the other is probably from the scraper knife removing the print from that side while the bed is still warm.
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
<creality-ender-3><z-axis><layer-height><microstepping>
Does matching whole Z-motor steps for layer height actually matter on Ender 3?
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
# Does matching whole Z-motor steps for layer height actually matter on Ender 3?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-09-09)

[This question](https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/q/10986/11157) asks about computing the fundamental layer height unit for full Z-motor steps, on the basis of a theory that layer thickness can be inconsistent if the height is at different micro-stepping positions on different layers. The specific printer mentioned in the question is an Ender 3, which I also have, and while I've wondered in the past [based on this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIkT8asT90A) whether using whole-step layer heights helps, I haven't seen conclusive evidence that it really does.

According to the research in [How Accurate Is Microstepping Really?](https://hackaday.com/2016/08/29/how-accurate-is-microstepping-really/), the A4988 stepper drivers (which this printer uses) have near-linear microstepping response, at least under the test conditions, which suggests there's little or no benefit to using whole-step layer heights.

Has anyone done experiments to determine/demonstrate whether use of layer heights that aren't whole steps actually leads to extrusion/layer adhesion problems or other structural or cosmetic issues?

I did a quick test with a 20 mm cube and 0.2 mm layers (5 full steps, left) and 0.1975 mm layers (1 microstep short of 5 full steps, right) and there is no readily apparent difference:

![test prints](https://i.sstatic.net/8QjMM.jpg)

And repeated with single walls:

![test prints](https://i.sstatic.net/vVqux.jpg)

**Tags:** creality-ender-3, z-axis, layer-height, microstepping

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Could you report the printed height of both (using a caliper)? Just out of interest and for information as the 0.1975 mm layer cube requires "101.2" (effectively 101) layers to reach 20 mm, while the 0.2 mm needs 100 layers. E.g. it could be that it is doing 0.2 mm layer heights for many layers.  
> **username_0**: @username_1: My caliper only measures to 0.1 mm so it probably won't be very helpful. I don't see how it could be doing 0.2 mm for all layers though - the Z moves are in absolute coordinates, and clearly right in the gcode.  
> **username_1**: You are right, not for all layers, but it must be some, e.g. those close to the full step.  
> **username_2**: I'm also not sure where the idea comes from with the "full steps as layer height". You will rarely end up at exactly a full step at Z=0, so even "even" layer heights like 0.2 mm would have to stepper driver move to stepper to locations which are off by a few microsteps. Now, this might mean the stepper reliably falls back to the last full step, and all subsequent layers are identical again (except for the 1st), but that would just mean you've got far too low Z axis currents / too much weight to begin with.  
> **username_0**: @username_1: Both measure 20.0 mm on one side, 19.8 mm on the other side; seems to be from damage to bed surface making bottom not entirely level.  
> **username_0**: @username_2: It's not a matter of falling back to full steps. It's about non-linearity of microstep positioning. See this article: https://hackaday.com/2016/08/29/how-accurate-is-microstepping-really/  
> **username_0**: Aside: clear/natural PLA with flash photography is really nice for looking at this kind of detail.  
> **username_0**: @username_1: Actually that 0.2 mm difference from one side to the other is probably from the scraper knife removing the print from that side while the bed is still warm.  

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## 0 answers

