---
title: Cure-Through
slug: troubleshooting/cure-through
description: Discover effective solutions for addressing the "Cure-Through" part defect from Carbon DLS printing. This comprehensive document explains how to identify, troubleshoot, and understand the root causes.
docTags: 
createdAt: 2024-06-14T01:04:09.542Z
---

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**Cure-Through**

Additional cured resin on the backside of the slice in the Z-axis.
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::Image[]{src="https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/Education/Troubleshooting/Part-Defects/Cure-through/Cure-through_gif_400px.gif" size="70" width="400" height="400" position="center" alt="Cure-Through" showCaption="false"}
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# How to Identify

Cure-through can be diagnosed as follows:

- Holes or small features resolved too small and oblong in shape
- Text is distorted
  - Engraved text appears to have reduced height
  - Embossed text appears to have an upwards shadow

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**Print Artifact**


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# Troubleshooting

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It is recommended that you review all the possible solutions before taking action to ensure you are pursuing the best course of action.
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If the best course of action is not apparent, try the troubleshooting options in the order listed. Refer [here](docId\:pPm8gmeGCY_0fkFwgTCyj) for more tips.

## Process, Material, and Hardware Checks

If any of these conditions apply to your print, take the corrective action and reprint to see if the problem is resolved.

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### Resin

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If possible for your material specifications, switch to a darker colored resin.
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![Resin](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/Ydv50jolAlxPqdMEbNQCP_image.png)
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## Print Preparation or Part Design Adjustments

The following solutions will address print or part-related causes of the defects. Choose among the suggested actions below and select the best approach for your application. Usually only one type of adjustment is needed.

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### Orientation

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Reorient the part to place holes in the XY plane.
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![Orientation](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/Gc7Sqw_8iSW6Ly6Sw6eKi_adsnlynfed-ia-wa-pis4lsrji-yqo5ad.gif)
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### Supports

Use [Correction Scale](docId:4Z6MFha_0Lh3vOpPv9Jmn) to bring part features into your specification range by adjusting the Z scale factor.

Automatic scale factors account for inaccuracies in the majority of cases, but tweaking the scale factor further may help dial in your feature sizes in some cases.
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### Design

Use **DLS Design Gudielines** for holes in the Z axis to bring part features into your specification range. Reference the tips for optical effects in [Recommended Feature Sizes](docId\:t94PR-A-C0pIhY6LJsWk7) for vertical holes (Z).

![Design](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/StXkVzGjDS6QQOJ-hvmqp_image.png)
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If problems persist, please reach out to [Carbon Support](mailto\:support@carbon3d.com).
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# Explanation & Causes

## Cure-Through - Z axis

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[Cure-through](docId\:t94PR-A-C0pIhY6LJsWk7) occurs when light penetrates vertically through a thin area of material and cures resin on the backside of the slice. It is essentially overcure in the Z-axis. This phenomenon causes holes to be oblong and 0.050 - 0.200mm smaller than nominal in the Z-axis.

Clear or light colored resins experience more cure-through as light penetrates through these materials more easily.

The printer software applies a cure-through correction to your slices, but some amount of cure-through may still occur.
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![Cure-Through - Z axis](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/pulnp-MySaIIrixvls99T_image.png)
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## Causes

### Print Preparation or Part Design

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How the part is **oriented**, **supported**, or **designed **is causing the defect.
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![Print Preparation or Part Design Cause](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/LhaBjVT_Yxhp03FPtHLyF_orient-and-support-quick-view-v0101-xxs.gif)
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| Root Issue | Problem                           | Why Defect Presents                                              |
| ---------- | --------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Oriented   | Holes in the Z axis are oblong    | Additional resin cures along the window-facing side of the hole. |
| Designed   | Holes in the Z axis are too small | Too much light is shining through slices that define the hole.   |

### Resin

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The printing material is **expired**, beyond the printing range in its **pot-life**, or has been **improperly mixed**, causing abnormalities in the print.
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![Resin](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/XGHMl6juLeAliKkQ8uIOF_resins-hero-image-v2.jpg)
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| Root Issue  | Problem                | Why Defect Presents                                                                                                 |
| ----------- | ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Resin color | Features are too small | Clear or light colored resins experience more cure-through as light penetrates through these materials more easily. |