PVA
any experiences with pva as support material, in combination with 3 different coloured pla filaments ?
now that we have the opportunity to print support material as well (pva, hips), are there any tutorials on how to print the support structures with the mentioned materials with the different slicers (s3d, slic3r, cura, KISS) ? and are there any ways to optimize or customize this ?
for example using a normal pla color for supports rising from the bed... and pva only for supports inside the solid ?
dem inscheniör is' nix zu schwör...
Re: PVA
Jeff
Simple answer: Yes.
However, there are some issues you need to be aware of. PVA is only usable for a short time-frame (maybe a couple of weeks, dependant on environmental conditions). It goes off very quickly due to moisture absorption. It needs to be stored in very dry conditions (a lot more than the small bag of silica gel supplied with it) and once opened, may require drying before use.
There are different types (and prices) of soluble support material and some are better than others.
I had great success with eSun PVA initially (except for the varying diameters), but after a while it became unusable.
There are plenty of options within Slic3r (and KISS - the slicers I use) to use PVA as interface material only, or other options. There would be no need to use PVA inside a solid.
I did find that PVA doesn't stick very well to PLA; in the main I simply peeled it away after removing the model from the bed. I also found it didn't stick to the bed too well - glue stick resolves this.
The latest Slic3r beta is now available which includes the wipe tower (no post-processor required) where you can have a look at the options regarding PVA/Scaffold supports: https://github.com/prusa3d/Slic3r/releases/tag/version_1.35.1 and settings: https://github.com/prusa3d/Slic3r-settings/tree/master/Slic3r%20settings%20MK2MM
Peter
Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…