The k parameter refers to the number of pixels on the printer’s screen (see Table 1). The k parameter, along with the size of the screen, returns the resolution of the printer, which can be referred to as the pixel size. To calculate it, the length of the screen (analogous, the width of the screen) should be divided by the number of pixels. The smaller the result of this calculation, the more precise the printer.
Depending on the ratio between the length and width of the screen, the pixel is either a square or a rectangle. For example, add an example where the pixel is a square and where the pixel is a rectangle. If the pixel is a rectangle, then the resolution in the X-axis and the Y-axis differ and might be noticeable in the final print. This factor should be taken into account and influence the decision about the direction the model will face on the building plate.
Table 1. Example of the number of pixels signaled by the k parameter
| Indication | Number of pixels* |
|---|---|
| 1080p / full HD | 1920 x 1080 |
| 2K | 2560 x 1440 |
| 4K | 3840 x 2160 |
| 8K | 7680 x 4320 |
* the number of pixels connected with the specific k parameter differs among printers; please check your printer specifications to get the right value.
LCD technology
There are several configurations possible for 2K, 4K, 6K, and 8K LCD screens. For example, the 8K LCD screens used in 3D-printing in the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K and Mini 8K have respectively 7700 x 4300 and 7500 x 3300 pixels. The amount of pixels, divided by the width of the screen, is the pixel size. This indicates the resolution of the print. A large LCD screen will lower the resolution. Taking the example of the Mega 8K and Mini 8K, both have the same amounts of pixels, but the screen of the Mega 8K is much bigger giving it a pixel size of 0,043 mm while the screen of the Mini 8K is much smaller and results in a smaller pixel size of 0,022 mm. This means that the Phrozen Sonic Mega Mini 8K can print objects with a higher resolution compared to the Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K.
The higher the k, the more pixels are on the LCD screen, and the more pixels can be used to create one slice of the model. The more pixels are building up a 2D image, the more calculations the computer needs to create a slice of the model. This results in a conclusion that no matter the pixel size (the resolution of the printer), the higher the k parameter of the printer, the more computer resources are needed for the slicer to prepare a file for printing.
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