Save time and filament by using reusable supports?
I am about to make some fairly large prints that for a number of reasons will be best printed as an upside-down U, requring a massive support structure in the middle.
I was wondering if it would be possible to replace part of this stucture by a reusable block , perhaps built from Lego bricks or similar with a flat and smooth surface.
The idea would be to block the support in the slicer, create a pause at the right z-level, insert the reusable block, and then let the printer print on top of the block as if it were a normal support structure.
The time and filament saving is obvious, but what kind of problems could arise?
In particular I am concerned about the quality and adhesion of the first layer on top of the “lego support”, and the later removal of it.
I’ll probably give it a try, but was wondering if someone tried this before and had some advice?
Will it work?
RE: Save time and filament by using reusable supports?
It's an interesting idea - and as long as the block clears the head it will probably work. Think magnets for your "adhesion" question. There are prints where you stop the print, add parts to the print that clear the head, and then resume (creates interlocked parts, for instance). For support to work you will want to be within a few tenths of millimeter (.2 to .4) - do remember that it gets hot up there, be careful of melting or burning.