The difference among resolution, precision, and dimensional accuracy
3Dresyns is the first and only company up to date that supplies scientific Instructions for Use IFU and calibration files (see above the flat coin with supports) for measuring and optimising the dimensional accuracy in the 3 dimensions, the x, y, and z axis. Alternative calibration files only take into account the xy resolution, ignoring that any 3D object requires the measurement of the dimensional accuracy in the 3 spatial dimensions.
Resolution refers to the range of detail or minimum feature size which can be printed with detail. As shown on the surface of the flat coin the smallest feature size can be easily evaluated by reading the smallest concentric circle line on the surface of the printed coin, since each circle line has engraved its width and depth in decreasing order from 500 to 2 microns, and its micrage on relief.
On the other hand, precision refers to the capability to repeatedly print or "reproduce" the same dimensions of prints over and over again with certain variation. Keep in mind that extremely precise prints are not necessarily dimensionally accurate unless the tree spatial xyz dimensions of prints coincide with the three spatial xyz dimensions of the designed stl files which define the theoretical dimensions of prints as defined in the stl files.
Dimensional accuracy of 3D prints refers to how close the three spatial xyz dimensions of 3D prints are to the theoretical three spatial xyz dimensions of designed prints as defined in the stl file before printing. The stl file of 3Dresyns flat coin has 2 mm thickness (without including the thickness of the stereo writing showing the micrage of each circle) and 25 mm diameter (xy axis). The relative dimensional accuracy in the xyz axis can be easily measured by measuring the real diameter (xy axis) and thickness (z axis) of the horizontally positioned flat coin. For example, if the thickness of the printed coin is 2.1 mm. The difference between the theoretical and real value is 0.1 mm and the % difference is 0.1/2x100=5% which indicates the relative error or innacuracy (5%) or accuracy (95%) in the z axis.
The same principle applies to the xy dimensional accuracy. If for example the diameter of the printed coin is 25.25 mm. The difference between the theoretical and real value is 0.25 mm and the % difference is 0.25/25x100=1% which indicates the relative error or innacuracy (1%) and the accuracy (99%) in the xy axis.
The following figure clearly shows the difference among resolution, precision, and dimensional accuracy:
Examples of measurements with low and high accuracy, precision, and resolution. The center represents the true value and each yellow dot is a measurement sample (Source: How to Calculate with Uncertainty)
In our case, resolution refers to the smallest concentric circle line printed on the surface of the printed coin and to the printed micrage in relief (see image below), since each circle line has engraved (and written in stereo the micrage) its width and depth in decreasing order from 500 to 2 microns.
