3D Printing Calculators
Exposure Time Scaling Calculator
https://www.3dsizing.com/calculators/exposure-time-scaling/
Estimate only — not firmware, a slicer profile or a shop quote. Confirm on a test print.
Exposure Time Scaling Calculator
A profile that works at 0.05 mm on RGB will not copy-paste onto an 8K mono at 0.03 mm. This scale uses layer-height ratio times a relative screen factor.
Inputs
Results
- Scaled normal exposure
- 1.06s
- Scale factor
- 0.132
Multiply old exposure by this. Bottom/burn-in is usually scaled less aggressively — start from vendor tables.
The Result is indicative and educational. It does not constitute a design, a technical opinion or medical advice and does not replace calculations or verification by a person with the appropriate qualifications and authorisations. Before purchase, installation or use in practice – in particular in electrical installations – the Result should be verified by a qualified specialist. Details: Terms of Service, point 4.
Example products
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Calculation method
New exposure = old exposure × (new layer height / old layer height) × (new screen factor / old screen factor). Screen factors are relative to a typical RGB LCD at the same height: RGB 1.0, 2K mono 0.40, 4K/6K 0.25, 8K 0.22, 12K 0.20. Layer heights are millimetres. This linear model ignores the logarithmic cure curve, pigment, temperature and anti-aliasing.
Exact formula
t_new = t_old × (h_new / h_old) × (factor_new / factor_old). Factors vs RGB: RGB 1.00, 2K mono 0.40, 4K 0.25, 8K 0.22, 12K 0.20. Limits: Linear in layer height, while real cure depth grows with the logarithm of dose, so thin layers usually need more time than this predicts. Always print an exposure matrix after resin, screen or firmware changes.
Wait time and lift
Exposure is only one axis. Slow lifts on large cross-sections matter as much as 0.2 s of UV.
Calibration prints
AmeraLabs Town, cones of calibration, or a simple XP2 matrix beat trusting a blog’s 2.5 s on 8K.
Frequently asked questions
Should bottom exposure use the same scale?
Not blindly. Burn-in is often 6–12× normal and depends on FEP and adhesion. Scale it gently and test a raft.
Why is 12K not 10× faster than RGB?
Pixel count does not cure resin; the UV dose reaching the vat does. The big jump is mono vs RGB, because a monochrome LCD passes several times more UV. Newer 8K and 12K printers are only slightly faster because stronger light sources make up for the lower transmission of smaller pixels, so these factors describe typical machines, not resolution.
Can I go from 0.05 mm to 0.025 mm by halving time?
The formula says yes, but that is a linear first guess. Cure depth grows with the logarithm of dose (the Jacobs working curve), so a thinner layer usually needs more than half the time, most of all with clear resins. Print an exposure finder.
What if I only change resin, not screen?
Keep both screen dropdowns equal so only layer height scales. Then still tune — resins are not interchangeable.
More in this topic
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Estimate SLA/DLP print cost from resin volume, bottle price and LCD screen degradation per hour. Toggle millilitres and US fluid ounces.
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Convert SLA slicer volume in millilitres to grams using typical specific gravity for standard, tough, water-washable, ABS-like and castable resins.
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Vat Volume Checker
Check whether the resin in an MSLA vat covers a sliced job plus a safety margin. Rectangular vat millilitres from L×W×fill height, remaining, enough flag and shortage.