---
title: Fringing
slug: troubleshooting/fringing
description: Discover effective solutions for addressing the "Fringing" part defect from Carbon DLS printing. This comprehensive document explains how to identify, troubleshoot, and understand the root causes.
docTags:
createdAt: 2024-06-14T01:02:32.303Z
---
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**Fringing**
Resin is still moving when curing, resulting in excess partially-cured resin on the surface or outer edges of the part.
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::Image[]{src="https://res.cloudinary.com/carbon3d/image/upload/Education/Troubleshooting/Part-Defects/Fringing/Velocity-stack-fringing-gif_800px.gif" size="70" width="800" height="800" position="center" alt="Fringing" showCaption="false"}
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# How to Identify
Fringing can be diagnosed as follows:
- After printing
- The excess partially-cured resin on the part may appear wet & shiny like liquid resin, but it will not wash off the surface, even with manual touch-up.
- On Surfaces
- Excess resin sits proud of the correct surface.
- The texture may appear fuzzy, bumpy, and/or shiny.
- The texture will run horizontally relative to the build platform.
- The texture will run around the entire perimeter of the part.
- On Edges
- Fringing on edges usually occurs at the base of the part (at the platform), especially at large cross sections.
- On the exterior edges of a base, fringing will appear jagged.
**Flashing** is a defect that may appear similar but will be smooth instead of jagged.
- Where a lattice connects to a base, the lattice struts will appear disconnected to the base.
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**Cause -** **Unvented Volume**
**Solution** - Print Preparation or Part Design
*Fringing on surface*
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**Cause -** **Unvented Volume**
**Solution** - Print Preparation or Part Design
*Fringing on surface*
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**Cause -** **Unvented Volume**
**Solution** - Print Preparation or Part Design
*Fringing on surface*
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**Cause -** **Unvented Volume**
**Solution** - Print Preparation or Part Design
*Fringing on surface*
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**Cause -** **Unvented Volume**
**Solution** - Print Preparation or Part Design
*Fringing on surface*
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**Cause -** **Large Cross Section**
**Solution** - Print Preparation or Part Design
*Fringing on surface*
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**Cause** - Inconclusive
*Fringing at base edge*
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**Cause** - Inconclusive
*Fringing at lattice strut connected to base*
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**Cause** - Inconclusive
*Fringing at lattice strut connected to base*
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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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Ensure that the resin selected matched the printed resin.
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### Unvented Volume
Verify if your project contains an unvented volume.
- [Project Analysis](docId\:gfR-GoC-Irq_L9_KanC-X) in the printer software will alert you if you have an unvented volume.
- If you do have an unvented volume, proceed to the **Print Preparation or Part Design Adjustments** troubleshooting options below.
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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
- **Unvented volume**
- Reorient the part to vent the trapped volume (supports may also be needed)
- **Large cross section**
- Change the orientation for a smaller cross section in the print
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### Supports
- **Unvented volume**
- Lift the part above the platform on supports to vent the trapped volume
- Use bar supports, or break up fence supports into shorter sections with gaps in between, to provide venting
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### Design
- **Unvented volume**
- Add vent holes in the part, near the platform, to vent the trapped volume
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Reference [DLS Design Guidelines](docId\:t94PR-A-C0pIhY6LJsWk7) for vent hole guidance.
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### Print Plan Adjustments
Reference [Print Plan Adjustments](docId\:NxUK0dltz_vemEAU0DIpN) for guidance on the following parameters:
[4 Settle Down Parameters](docId\:nnb8zuqLpvpRucPpbWwsR)
- Delay Timing Parameters
- Minimum Pre-Exposure Delay
- Minimum Time Force Slope Down Settled
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If problems persist, please reach out to [Carbon Support](mailto\:support@carbon3d.com).
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# Explanation & Causes
## Explanation
Fringing occurs when resin is still moving when the UV light begins to cure the slice. Resin can be continuing to flow for a couple reasons.
- There simply has not been enough time in the settle down stage of printing for the resin to stop moving. This can be due to a mis-selected resin, large cross section, or a print that has been sped up too much.
- An [unvented volume](docId\:U7XYytjyDp3BvsYy2qKcU) can cause the resin to flow abnormally from the pressure differential inside versus outside the trapped volume, and in some cases, the walls of the part itself are moving under the pressure of the unvented volume.
- More susceptible to unvented volumes:
- EPU due to its low green strength.
- L1 printer due to larger suction forces.
## 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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| Root Issue | Problem | Why Defect Presents |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Large cross section | Fringing occurs on the surface around a large cross section. | The resin needs more time to flow across larger cross sections. |
| Large cross section | Fringing occurs on the edges of a base. | The resin needs more time to flow across larger cross sections. |
| Large cross section | A lattice appears disconnected from a base. | The resin effectively did not fully cure as it was still moving along the base, appearing as though the struts did not fully connect. |
| Unvented volume | Fringing occurs on the surface around an unvented volume. | Resin is still moving from the pressure differential, which can even make the walls of the unvented move in extreme cases. |
### 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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| Root Issue | Problem | Why Defect Presents |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Incorrect resin | The resin selected in the project was not the same as the resin printed. | The print plan determines how long the settle down phase will last, and the resin is one of the factors in that determination. If the wrong resin is selected or printed, then the print plan may not have the timing right. |
### Print Plan Adjustments
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[Print Plan Adjustments](docId\:NxUK0dltz_vemEAU0DIpN) adjust the print plan to optimize mid to high volume production and/or address part defects.
In doing so, adjustment may both **prevent or cause defects**. Below are adjustments that can cause this defect.
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| Printing Stage | Parameter Type | Type of Adjustment | Why Defect Presents |
| -------------- | -------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| 4 Settle Down | Delay Timing | **Decrease** | The resin needs more time to stop flowing. |