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Can't print with supports  

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erwin.b
 erwin.b
(@erwin-b)
Active Member
Can't print with supports

Hi everybody,

Since I got this printer I have printed a lot of things, but always without supports. Now I want to create more complex structures, but those requie supports. But for the life of me I can't seem to do anything with supports. I tried the supports generated with slicer and with cura, but in both cases the printer just knocks them off, they fall over or they turn into a right mess (see attached pictures). Where do I start to look to improve printing with supports?

Big thanks in advance 😉

Posted : 30/04/2017 12:14 pm
PJR
 PJR
(@pjr)
Antient Member Moderator
Re: Can't print with supports

Are you using Z-Lift?

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…

Posted : 30/04/2017 10:15 pm
avi.s
 avi.s
(@avi-s)
Trusted Member
Re: Can't print with supports

Support columns sometimes are too thin and there is not enough surface area at the point the support column touches the print bed. The extruder then hits the support and it falls. I've seen it happen many times.

I use Simplify3D and what I do is define two processes:

The first process is 2 layers high. In it I set support inflation of 10-20 mm as well as a brim.
The 2nd process is set for the rest of the layers and has no support inflation and no brim.

This usually creates very stable support structures that stays put.

I don't know if there is something similar in Slc3r or Cura.

Posted : 01/05/2017 3:23 am
erwin.b
 erwin.b
(@erwin-b)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: Can't print with supports

Hi Peter, I use a 1mm Z hop in Cura, that's the same right?

@Avi, I can set the first few layers to force support all around, is that what you mean?

Posted : 01/05/2017 9:27 pm
avi.s
 avi.s
(@avi-s)
Trusted Member
Re: Can't print with supports

Maybe the photo will make it clearer:

  • Brim is a brim I set around all the printed objects. I would have preferred to add a brim only around the support column but the current version of S3D doesn't have such an option.

  • The Support Inflation is basically the extra support area that I asked S3D to add to the support columns. Because I limit it to the 1st two layers the extra (inflated) support doesn't go all the way to the top.

  • In order to force a brim around the support column I sometimes have to insert these dummy objects that are 2 mm in diameter and 0.5 mm in height.

    • Th combination of the brim and inflated support usually keeps the support column from falling down. There were quite a few times that I saw the support column swaying when the extruder hit it and yet it stayed put.

    Posted : 02/05/2017 12:58 am
    Starlynk
     Starlynk
    (@starlynk)
    Trusted Member
    Re: Can't print with supports

    Something I noticed in the picture you supplied is the Extruder wiring. It may not be the problem but it seems to be hanging down lower than it should. The wiring should not hang below the nozzle. The wiring may be knocking over your supports structures.

    Just a thought

    Posted : 04/05/2017 3:10 am
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