How much can I print "into thin air"?
My first print on my MK3S was from a Fusion 360 youtube tutorial. It was a lego like model with a "roof" on it. I normally wouldn't print a tutorial from modelling software but as it had this roof I was curios to see what the printer would do. It printed this lego model just fine. My next print is a design of my own for a very specific application and I incorporated some "roofs" which would be useful to me (red circle in the picture). Again the printer printed these just fine. When googling the subject I read that 45 degree is max for overhang, but these overhangs are 90 degrees. The actual "ceiling" is 2.5mm long.
I wasn't watching the printer as I was out and about, but to my noob eyes it would appear that my printer printed "in thin air" to make this roof. There where no supports added, the roof was just there exactly like my model. I noob mind does not understand the principles behind this "thin air" printing. Obviously 2.5mm ceiling was not a problem for my printer. How far could I go? Would for example 5mm work?
RE: How much can I print "into thin air"?
Try a bridging test print and see exactly what your setup cann do.
90degree bridging supports both sides of the print which reduces droop
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: How much can I print "into thin air"?
Thanks. I googled "bridging test" for the MK3S and I have to say I am astonished, I would never have guessed that a 3D printer could do that.
RE: How much can I print "into thin air"?
Magic!
🙂
Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: How much can I print "into thin air"?
I think you'd be really pushing it trying to print a 5mm overhang with no supports.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: How much can I print "into thin air"?
Yeah that geometry isn't bridging as its not supported both ends. You will need support for that with the current slicers. Until they integrate Arc Overhangs into the slicer that is.
Unless you want to use one of the post processors. https://www.cnckitchen.com/blog/arc-overhangs-in-prusaslicer
RE:
Yeah that geometry isn't bridging as its not supported both ends. You will need support for that with the current slicers. Until they integrate Arc Overhangs into the slicer that is.
Unless you want to use one of the post processors. https://www.cnckitchen.com/blog/arc-overhangs-in-prusaslicer
It wasn't perfect but it did pretty decent. Anyhow, for the next version I enabled supports (I only just learnt what they are). The result was indeed better and those supports are surprisingly easy to remove.