Best dowel shape for 3D printing?
Hi!
In Prusa Slicer you can "Cut" a body into parts. When doing so, you have the option of adding a "Connector". You can choose the "Type" of the connector to be either "Plug", "Dowel" or "Snap". Finally, if choosing dowel you can choose the "Shape" of the dowel to be either "Triangle", "Square", "Hexagon", or "Circle". (See attached image.)
There must be a reason as to why Prusa includes different types of specific shapes to use for the dowels. What are the pros and cons of these shapes when used as dowels?
RE: Best dowel shape for 3D printing?
The obvious use of the different shapes is to force specific alignment. So if the alignment has to be in a specific direction you might want to use a triangle whereas if it does not matter a round dowel will probably be easier to fit together.
RE:
I find the square or hexagonal dowels print on their sides really well when using the dowel connectors. Once the dowels are generated, rotate them to print on their sides so the layer lines of the dowel are perpendicular to the split for strength.
Note, I'm referring to the dowel style, instead of the plug style that you have in your screenshot.
See my (limited) designs on:
Printables - https://www.printables.com/@Sembazuru
Thingiverse - https://www.thingiverse.com/Sembazuru/designs
RE: Best dowel shape for 3D printing?
I've found that hex dowels/spikes/stakes/etc. seem to work the best, as far as printing.
They are fairly easy to draft, and print horizontally with no support except for break-away supports for the pointy end of spikes/stakes.
This example has the shaft in hex, and a four-sided pointy end, which is easier to draft. I print it with one of the flat surfaces down with the flat surface of the pointy end parallel to the build plate.
I've also done an assortment of non-pointy hex dowels and couplers for joining pieces.
RE: Best dowel shape for 3D printing?
I've found that hex dowels/spikes/stakes/etc. seem to work the best, as far as printing.
They are fairly easy to draft, and print horizontally with no support except for break-away supports for the pointy end of spikes/stakes.
This example has the shaft in hex, and a four-sided pointy end, which is easier to draft. I print it with one of the flat surfaces down with the flat surface of the pointy end parallel to the build plate.
I've also done an assortment of non-pointy hex dowels and couplers for joining pieces.
What is the reason for the pointy end? If it's just for easy-of-insertion, my go-to thought would be to just chamfer the ends.
RE: Best dowel shape for 3D printing?
That particular item is a stake that will be inserted into the ground, with a hex coupling above it, followed by a hex shaft (no pointy end) with a swivel mount on the top.
I've found that hex dowels/spikes/stakes/etc. seem to work the best, as far as printing.
They are fairly easy to draft, and print horizontally with no support except for break-away supports for the pointy end of spikes/stakes.
This example has the shaft in hex, and a four-sided pointy end, which is easier to draft. I print it with one of the flat surfaces down with the flat surface of the pointy end parallel to the build plate.
I've also done an assortment of non-pointy hex dowels and couplers for joining pieces.
What is the reason for the pointy end? If it's just for easy-of-insertion, my go-to thought would be to just chamfer the ends.