Hi everyone,
Following up on our https://forum.bambulab.com/t/0-08mm-layer-test-smooth-surface-finish-with-pla-silk-basic/259877previous Mecha Hello Kitty post (and a shout-out to @RetroSharky for the awesome discussion on layer heights, viewing distances, and print trade-offs!), here is the second piece from our studio’s multi-material showcase: Mecha Pikachu.
For this print, we wanted to highlight the contrast between a bright, smooth matte look and a high-shine metallic robotic structure.
Print & Material Overview:
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Filaments: PLA Basic (Yellow, Red, Black, Light Blue) & PLA Silk+ (Metallic Silver) from Gearvita.
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Layer Height: Printed at a standard
0.12mmprofile to find that sweet spot between detail sharpness and reasonable print times. -
Nozzle & Bed Temp:
220°Cnozzle /55°Cbed (Textured PEI plate).
Design & Slicing Notes for Mechanical Models:
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Preserving Metallic Sheen on Small Details: The right side features intricate greebles, gears, and hydraulic joints. To prevent Silk PLA from losing its shine on tiny perimeter loops, keeping the outer wall speed below
50 mm/sallows the plastic to cool with maximum metallic luster. -
Multi-Color Separation: Transitioning between vibrant yellow and metallic silver requires tight purging tolerances in Bambu Studio to ensure the silver side stays completely clean without yellow bleeding into the metallic layer.
The physical sample actually got picked up by our office team and is currently on display at a local coffee shop - it’s definitely an eye-catcher in natural indoor lighting!
What layer heights and wall speeds do you usually run when printing complex mechanical figures with Silk filaments? Would love to hear your thoughts!