Research Article
Research Status of Approaches to Reduce the Stair-Step Effect in 3D Printing
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.4108/eai.24-4-2026.2364911, author={Yankun Jia}, title={Research Status of Approaches to Reduce the Stair-Step Effect in 3D Printing}, proceedings={Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Mechanics, Electronics Engineering and Automation, ICMEEA 2026, April 24-26, 2026, Singapore, Singapore}, publisher={EAI}, proceedings_a={ICMEEA}, year={2026}, month={9}, keywords={3D printing Stair-case effect STL}, doi={10.4108/eai.24-4-2026.2364911} }- Yankun Jia
Year: 2026
Research Status of Approaches to Reduce the Stair-Step Effect in 3D Printing
ICMEEA
EAI
DOI: 10.4108/eai.24-4-2026.2364911
Abstract
The stair-step effect is an inherent defect in 3D printing technology caused by the layer-by-layer additive manufacturing principle. It severely impairs the surface precision and mechanical properties of printed components, thereby emerging as a critical bottleneck that restricts the advancement and application of 3D printing in high-precision domains. To summarize the existing research on reducing the stair-step effect, this paper mainly focuses the current state of studies regarding adaptive slicing algorithms and printing orientation optimization, while also reviewing approaches related to nozzle design and post-processing repair techniques. This paper presents a detailed overview of the current research status of approaches and provides a synthesis and critical evaluation of the aforementioned approaches.