First attempt with supports - What did I do wrong?
New Mini since April 30th. Been printing just about everyday and it has done very well. First layer calibration I think is spot on. I have not done any other adjustments since 3D printing is new to me. Going slowly and reading as much as I can. Known about it for over 15 years, just could not afford one until now.
Last night I attempted my fist object that would require a good bit of support. This is the “Origami Panther” from Thingiverse. (www.thingiverse.com/thing:3868321) Many comments said printing it standing up with supports made it difficult to clean up without breaking the legs or tail. Another cut it in half vertically and set the left and right flat side down so only the legs needed minimal support. I didn’t want to deal with gluing it together.
So I put it right side down. I let PrusaSlicer set it down after a 90 degree rotate. I also increased the size to 125% to be a bit bigger.
Settings are 0.2mm quality, Prusament Mystic Green, support on build plate only, 20% Infill. Prusa Mini with stock .4mm nozzle. Default temps for both, extruder 215 for all layers, bed 60 for all layers.
What I see wrong is two separate things:
1 - The left side somewhere during the legs and stomach layers, a major printing goof. Amazed that it could continue and finish. Did not see this until it was done.
2- The right side. After carefully removing the supports, there are areas that the layers appear “not squished together” enough. Not sure what the technical term would be. Most noticeable on the front leg and rear upper head going to the ear.
Is #2 potentially that I need to do a bridge tower test to figure out the best temp when using supports? Something else?
As to #1 I have no idea.
Would using a 0.25 nozzle and printing at 0.05 make the sides as smooth as the top?
Thank you in advance for any and all advice,
Mike
Edit: Have no idea why my photos are being cropped.
RE: First attempt with supports - What did I do wrong?
When printing with supports, the first layer that prints on top of the support is essentially being printed mid air so it is not as smooth as you might like.
As for this particular model, I'd try printing it on it's back so that the legs are sticking straight up. I've printed a unicorn model like that and it turned out quite well.
RE: First attempt with supports - What did I do wrong?
@darcshadow
Thank you. Any idea about the other side? Filament screwup somehow?
RE: First attempt with supports - What did I do wrong?
I printed that same model recently, but on it's legs, with support of course. You do have to be pretty careful removing the support especially from the tail. Seeing as I have a microscope handy, I use that and a sharp hobby knife, but the microscope is probably overkill.
Anyway, I think it turned out well.
RE: First attempt with supports - What did I do wrong?
I would agree with @bobcousins. Seeing the model you will get far better results if you print it on its legs. It will use a little more support material but the time is almost the same.
Original Prusa Mini + Smooth PEI
Prusa Slicer 2.6.0