Find your real clearance for fitted parts

Every printer has its own number for how much gap a sliding or press fit needs. Knowing it is the difference between designing parts that assemble and parts that get sanded.

Phase 5 — Verificationabout 30 minper filament

How to do it

  1. Print the fit gauge — pins in a range of clearances.
  2. Test each: it should slide with light resistance and no forcing.
  3. Record the value and design to it from now on.
  4. Re-check after switching materials — nylon and ABS shrink far more than PLA.

How to read the result

The smallest clearance that still assembles. Usually 0.15–0.25 mm for a sliding fit on a tuned machine.

Your slicer may do this for you

OrcaSlicer has a tolerance test under Calibration.
Open First Layer →
The app walks this in order, generates the test model for your nozzle and filament, and records what you measure so nothing has to be repeated. Free, no account, works offline.