<p>The solution was a combination of several items.  The primary one was slowing down the top layer of the print significantly.  I was using 3200 mm/min for the print and used the option 'solid fill underspeed' to slow down the top layers to 40%.  I increased the top layers to 7.  I also increased the infill, to ensure there was support in the tiny top pieces.  I also decreased the minimum infill length to 0 to ensure the infill went in tiny places.  Finally, I used the 'Concentric' external fill pattern.</p>

<p>At some rotations of the model, I had slight gaps in the corners of the model, increasing the number of outline layers fixed it.</p>

<p>I also decreased the temp to 160 compared to the initial print above.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/ApjNq.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ApjNq.jpg" alt="Castle piece"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-15T16:15:39.373Z
2016-10-15T16:15:39.373Z
easycheese
<p>When using Simplify3D, you may try referring to their awesome troubleshooting guide: <a href="https://www.simplify3d.com/support/print-quality-troubleshooting/#holes-and-gaps-in-the-top-layers" rel="nofollow">https://www.simplify3d.com/support/print-quality-troubleshooting/#holes-and-gaps-in-the-top-layers</a>
3 reasons (from the guide) for gaps in the top layers:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>under-extrusion: you may try to increase extrusion multiplier to see if this helps</p></li>
<li><p>low infill percentage: not likely in your case if increasing number of top layers did not help</p></li>
<li><p>not enough top layers: you already tried increasing number of top layers.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>In addition to that, you may change certain parameters (such as extrusion multiplier) for a given number of layers by using Simplify3D features. It can be helpful to avoid problems to for the rest of the model.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-04T22:26:38.853Z
Are you sure you can change extrusion for only certain layers?
easycheese
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-04T22:28:00.927Z
It did help (I'm already aware of that site) but cost to much to implement for the pieces
easycheese
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-05T08:13:15.033Z
You can create more than one "process" for a certain model and assign them for different ranges of layers.
Mikhail Z
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-05T11:58:12.233Z
I don't believe you can assign different layers, just z height. Plus I have heard there are a lot of issues doing that
easycheese
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-05T12:22:46.983Z
This may perhaps depend on the version, but what I've seen is a layer range in 'Advanced' tab. Going back to your original question, I would rather start with increasing flow rate (or checking actual nozzle diameter).
Mikhail Z
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-04T22:14:55.270Z
2016-10-04T22:14:55.270Z
Mikhail Z
<p>I'm trying to print with Laybrick and for the most part it is going.  The problem lies with the top layer and gaps appearing.  I've tried increasing the number of top layers but the gaps still appear.  Any ideas what else I can try? </p>

<p>I'm using Simplify3d.
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Y05dR.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Y05dR.jpg" alt="Image"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-04T17:25:25.230Z
Did you try raising the temperature? I would have done that second after increasing number of top layers.
fukanchik
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-04T17:44:43.463Z
Raising the temperature leads to a different texture which I don't want.
easycheese
<simplify3d>
Laybrick - Gaps on top layer
easycheese
# Laybrick - Gaps on top layer

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-10-03)

I'm trying to print with Laybrick and for the most part it is going. The problem lies with the top layer and gaps appearing. I've tried increasing the number of top layers but the gaps still appear. Any ideas what else I can try?

I'm using Simplify3d.
[![Image](https://i.sstatic.net/Y05dR.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/Y05dR.jpg)

**Tags:** simplify3d
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Did you try raising the temperature? I would have done that second after increasing number of top layers.  
> **username_0**: Raising the temperature leads to a different texture which I don't want.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2016-10-15. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

The solution was a combination of several items. The primary one was slowing down the top layer of the print significantly. I was using 3200 mm/min for the print and used the option 'solid fill underspeed' to slow down the top layers to 40%. I increased the top layers to 7. I also increased the infill, to ensure there was support in the tiny top pieces. I also decreased the minimum infill length to 0 to ensure the infill went in tiny places. Finally, I used the 'Concentric' external fill pattern.

At some rotations of the model, I had slight gaps in the corners of the model, increasing the number of outline layers fixed it.

I also decreased the temp to 160 compared to the initial print above.

[![Castle piece](https://i.sstatic.net/ApjNq.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/ApjNq.jpg)


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-10-04. Score: 2

When using Simplify3D, you may try referring to their awesome troubleshooting guide: <https://www.simplify3d.com/support/print-quality-troubleshooting/#holes-and-gaps-in-the-top-layers>
3 reasons (from the guide) for gaps in the top layers:

1. under-extrusion: you may try to increase extrusion multiplier to see if this helps
2. low infill percentage: not likely in your case if increasing number of top layers did not help
3. not enough top layers: you already tried increasing number of top layers.

In addition to that, you may change certain parameters (such as extrusion multiplier) for a given number of layers by using Simplify3D features. It can be helpful to avoid problems to for the rest of the model.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Are you sure you can change extrusion for only certain layers?  
> **username_0**: It did help (I'm already aware of that site) but cost to much to implement for the pieces  
> **username_2**: You can create more than one "process" for a certain model and assign them for different ranges of layers.  
> **username_0**: I don't believe you can assign different layers, just z height. Plus I have heard there are a lot of issues doing that  
> **username_2**: This may perhaps depend on the version, but what I've seen is a layer range in 'Advanced' tab. Going back to your original question, I would rather start with increasing flow rate (or checking actual nozzle diameter).  

---

