Stair stepping primarily affects which aspect of a finished part?

Stair stepping primarily affects which aspect of a finished part?

• A. It creates a staircase-like surface along layer boundaries.
• B. It changes the part’s color uniformity.
• C. It reduces the part’s weight significantly.
• D. It enhances chemical resistance.

Answer: (A)

Stair stepping arises because the part is built one horizontal layer at a time. Each layer creates a flat slice, so when a surface isn’t parallel to the build direction, the steps between layers form small facets. This produces a staircase-like surface along layer boundaries, which is the main surface finish issue you’ll see on inclined or curved areas. It’s a finish effect rooted in how layer-based printing constructs geometry, not a change in material color, weight, or chemistry. Color uniformity relates to pigment distribution, weight to overall volume and density, and chemical resistance to the material itself, so they aren’t driven by this stepped surface.

Stair stepping arises because the part is built one horizontal layer at a time. Each layer creates a flat slice, so when a surface isn’t parallel to the build direction, the steps between layers form small facets. This produces a staircase-like surface along layer boundaries, which is the main surface finish issue you’ll see on inclined or curved areas. It’s a finish effect rooted in how layer-based printing constructs geometry, not a change in material color, weight, or chemistry. Color uniformity relates to pigment distribution, weight to overall volume and density, and chemical resistance to the material itself, so they aren’t driven by this stepped surface.