Advice needed on how to print a round surface
Hi,
I'm trying to print an enclosure that is made of 4 parts (uppper, lower and 2 end parts. Formed from two 50mm circles with a box between). To keep the enclosure together I want to use M4 nuts that will be recessed into holes. When I print the enclosure (tried with and without support) I can't get it to print nicely. My wall thickness is 2mm (maybe too little?). The inside looks nice but the outside is terrible. Is this just a settings problem or am I doing something completely wrong? I've been printing it bottom up (as the first picture). I'm using Slic3r Prusa edition 1.31.6, 0.2mm layer height PLA on a Prusa i3 MK2 with ZHop.
The .stl is available here https://www.digiactive.net/prusa_forum/Lower_body.stl
This is a small test without support, the nut fits perfectly from the inside
but impossible to get into the hole from the outside due to the warpage
Thanks in advance
Nicke
Re: Advice needed on how to print a round surface
I would try printing tall, so the ethernet port is at the top. Print with supports everywhere.
Re: Advice needed on how to print a round surface
Ok, I could try printing tall but I'm afraid that the spaces (2mm) for the side parts (slide in) won't fit after that...
Re: Advice needed on how to print a round surface
Use the colorprint profile, 210/205 extruder and 60/60 heatbed. Thats a easy part and shouldnt be wavy like that. You could even (I would) use the 0.15 optimal profile as well.
Yeah, its that guy... 3D Nexus
Re: Advice needed on how to print a round surface
Hi Niclas,
the four internal support posts look as if they will have screws inserted through the internal flat panel, to locate the panel, I would ask you to consider whether:-
1, the walls of the posts are thick enough to prevent the screws splitting the posts?, and
2, do the posts have enough strength to resist breaking if the box is dropped, when components are attached to the panel. ?
I would suggest making the post walls thicker and tapered wider towards the bottoms where they meet the case, and if possible, adding webs to the curved side and front to back, to increase their sturdiness.
regards 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: Advice needed on how to print a round surface
Thank you everyone for great advices! I now tried to print tall (just a part) but as I feared it is almost impossible to remove the support near the ends (where the side plates should slide in) the 2 mm space is just too compact. In this print I also used the colorprint profile but still with .2 layer height (215/205 55/55).
@joan.t The internal supports will have screws inserted to hold the plate the Orange Pi Zero will sit on. The posts does also make sure that the battery pack below will not move so I'll have to make them the same width but I think you're right they should probably be a bit wider.
There is also still warpage around the nut holes (in the picture also some residue from the support) so that the nuts does not fit, maybe I should make them a bit bigger but then again I do not want them to spin either...
So I'll try a slice from the bottom again and with 0.15 optimal settings...
But I still very open for suggestions 🙂
Thanks!
Re: Advice needed on how to print a round surface
Sometimes you get better results on overhangs when you reduce layer heights. But unfortunately, this usually means way longer print times.
Re: Advice needed on how to print a round surface
This is from my latest try with optimal settings with support (printed from bottom up). Seems to be a heat issue, my filament settings are default Prusa PLA 1.75mm (fan speed 85-100%). Next I'll try to lower the extruder temp to see if it helps...
Re: Advice needed on how to print a round surface
So I re-designed my model and now everything seems to be ok (have only printed a "cut" of the model yet).
So as a reminder to myself, try to keep over 45 degrees and make better designs 😉
Thanks for your help!