Problems with print when using supports (complete newbie)
Hello everyone!
I am completely new to 3D-Printing so please forgive me for any dumb questions.
I am using a Prusa MK4S with the powder coated PEI Plate and want to print in PETG, since i need its material properties. I have 2 parts that need support structure to be printable, the files are not my design, and i dont really want to redesign them.
The problem is that when printing the main part, it looks like moths have eaten through it. 1st Layer works, second layer starts looking horrible, also the support "lines" are not as intended. I have already tried getting some better settings with ChatGPT (I am sorry haha), but without any success. I would ask a friend of mine for advice, but that person is on holidays right now, so not available. I dont need a 100% perfect print, slight stringing is also fine, i just want to get the part printed for now. I will process the surface later on anyways.
The weird thing is that i only get this problem once i enable supports. Without it I have small problems with stringing, but thats it.
I added some pictures, if you need anything else, just let me know. As I said, those settings are made with ChatGPT, so probably horrible. XD
Thanks in advance.
The parts are not well designed for 3D printing.
The easiest quick-and-dirty fix would be to slice them in half horizontally, rotate one half so that both halves can be printed flat without support, then glue together to make the whole.
You might improve the registration with keyways, or also add strength by cutting holes for nuts and bolts.
Cheerio,
RE: Problems with print when using supports (complete newbie)
The obvious question is, if you don't have problems without supports, why not print without supports?
In general, you'll get better answers on this forum if you save your project as a 3mf file, then compress it, and upload it as an attachment to your post. This way we can see all your settings and don't have to wade through incomplete photos.
But what's clear from the screenshots is that the settings have been changed beyond recognition. This is never a good idea. Don't rely on a habitual liar such as ChatGPT, which pulls random stuff out of its (virtual) ass...
While this is a horrible model for 3D printing, you should get decent results. Maybe try organic supports. From the photo I can't really tell what's going on. One thing to try is to dry the filament.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- https://foxrun3d.com/
RE: Problems with print when using supports (complete newbie)
@Diem, thanks for the answer. Yeah i know that they are not great, as i would normally design my parts to not need any support. This one i found online and thought that it has to be possible to print, as the uploader was able to. Unfortunately he didn't upload any print settings. I will probably either do what you said or just redesign it completely.
RE: Problems with print when using supports (complete newbie)
@foxrun3d, thanks for your answer. Yeah you are right, printing it without supports is obviously way better, i just liked the design and since the author of the files was able to print em i thought i would give it a try too. I get horrible results even with the standard MK4S Structural Settings. I dont really see any obvious signs of the filament being wet and i also already dried it for 4h at 60C, as it had slight signs of moisture before - that are gone now. As another user suggested i will probably just cut the part in half and join it with some nuts and bolts as well as some glue later.
Also about the settings. Yeah i know they are horrible, i will now just start fine tuning from the MK4S Profiles, using forum posts. The suggestions that GPT gives are, as you say, pulled from his virtual ass. XD
RE: Problems with print when using supports (complete newbie)
The problem seems to be layer 2. In the slicer it looks like that layer is printed completely into the air.
Right_Grip
RE: Problems with print when using supports (complete newbie)
Yes and the third too plus many more issues. Supports that are not soluble have a contact gap (Top contact z distance) there's also the XY separation gap to take into account on sloping areas too. Basically there is not enough space under the part for support to be generated and honour the gap so its not produced.
You could use a raft to life the entire part up and put support under all of it. Wouldn't be my first choice but that would work to give all the underside support.
If you are going to use supports then your first layer density should also be higher, you want good adhesion to the bed. With 15% you risk it all peeling loose.
I also wouldn't use organic support. It has several outstanding bugs that need fixing. I'd change to Snug. If these are grips that need to take some weight then you should have a lot more perimeters configured than 2. Lots more.
Then theres the previously suggested Cut in half, with locating dowels and then print flat and glue together afterwards. That would be my option if you need curves both sides.
RE: Problems with print when using supports (complete newbie)
Thanks for uploading the 3mf! As Neophyte alluded to, this is just not a great design for 3d printing. Now that I see the model, I agree, splitting it in half is probably the best solution. I was also considering rotating it 90 degrees along the y axis so the "legs" are sticking up but even that is not going to help much. A cut in the middle looks very clean and should give you an easy print that should get you where you want to be. I probably wouldn't even bother with connecting dowels.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- https://foxrun3d.com/