Flat spots/bad finish separation on supported round arc part
Im having some issues printing this and deciding what supports to use where. When i print it lying on one side, the top contours are great and it looks nice.. until you pick it off the bed. The supported side always has flat spots - especially toward the cylindrical end (where the hole is) where the supports make like 2 flat spots going to a V shape toward the bed. Besides it being too rough to even sand nicely and have it be round.
My alternate route was to try printing it standing up but that has yet to work past the first few hundred layers as there ends up being either a part falls over, doesn't adhere, or just turns doesn't print right. I need it to be concentrically round and if not a good finish printed, able to be sanded smooth to look decent.
How would you print this? I'm using PLA+ too
RE: Flat spots/bad finish separation on supported round arc part
I would split it down the middle and add dowel/peg holes to both parts and then print the middle flat to the bed. Then assemble after printing. That way all the curves are better.
No matter what you do with supports it will always be rough (at least without using soluble supports) on the side towards the supports. If you had to print it in one part then I would rotate it 180 degrees from how you have it pictured so that the curve in on the bottom and the 2 'arms' point upwards. Then I would add a raft of about 3-5 layers and paint the areas that need support (just in the middle).
If you want an actual example then please attach a ZIPPED up prusa slicer project file (File>Save project as). A PS 3mf will contain the model and all the print settings. We can then modify and post back for you to examine.
RE: Flat spots/bad finish separation on supported round arc part
Thanks, I actually thought about splitting it not too long after posting this haha im going to give it a shot and report back