Printing multiple parts...inefficient
I am printing over a hundred screw bins for my shop (20 bins per print). When I set up my print, I went into Slic3r and added one of the bins, then clicked the + button to add 19 more, then I clicked the arrange button and the program automatically placed all 20 bins evenly on the print plate. The issue I am having is that printer is not printing them in a logical efficient order. It prints one at the bottom of the tray, then goes to one at the top and then back down to the bottom. Its zig zags all over! This wastes a lot of movement time over the course of the 30 hour print (yes, it takes 30 hr 24 min per print). Aside from placing the bins by hand 1 at a time in the correct printing order inside slicer, is there a way to fix this?
Re: Printing multiple parts...inefficient
there is a Sequential printing option under print settings -> output options.
you set it to complete one object at a time before moving to the next this is fastest but depending on the way the part sits requires a safety margin that you set for the extruder clearance basically it means you may only be able to print less parts to make clearance for each part one at a time before it moves to the first layer for the next copy.
this might save some time since it will not move all the way across the bed one layer at a time, but rather complete one object at a time and then move to the next. this could also save time as you can pop the completed item off the tray as the extruder has moved to the next one with clearnace from the first one. however if you bump the bed too much trying to pop off the first one then it can mess up the next part.
now other slicers have settings for sequential layering where it will go complete one layer of one object one at a time before jumping to another area and then back and forth.
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Re: Printing multiple parts...inefficient
Try increasing number of copies instead of adding models. This way objects will print the way you want, and not in a zig-zag pattern.
1.) Add your model into the model space
2.) Right-click on the model once it's loaded
3.) Choose either "Increase copies" or "Set number of copies" anb type in the number you want
4.) Models should automatically arrange themself on the build plate *
*5.) If models don't arrange automatically then right-click on the model again and rotate it by 90 degrees and see if models will arrange, if not try manually clicking "Arrange" button on the top of UI interface. If that doesn't help either, then try reducing the number of copies.
P.S.: I offten print a full build plate of objects, and I had the same issue. Later I figured out that everything prints in a sequential order if I make copies instead of adding models as separate objects.
Re: Printing multiple parts...inefficient
Thanks Boris. I'm at 25 hours now so I will try your method on the next print! I will note that when I made the original g-code, I think I basically did what you did. I added one model, then clicked the "+" button up on the task bar (which increases the copies by one). I did that 19 times to get 20 models and then clicked arrange. I will note that when I added the 19 models, they all stacked up one on top of another, and it was not until I hit arrange button that they arranged themselves. I suspect that the issue is on how the arrange button is choosing to set them up.
Re: Printing multiple parts...inefficient
I'm still on an old version of slic3r, but then again I see nobody else complaining about it so I doubt it would ever get fixed.
1. slic3r appears to pick a sub-optimal pattern.
2. slic3r doesn't have any graphical representation of order for you to fix the arrangement even if you wanted to.
In cases that sequential printing is neither necessary nor beneficial, just common sense control of the object order would make sense, if for no better reason to just put the @#%W$% first object closest to the end of the nozzle prime.
Let's take a really simple example. I want 7 of these objects. I load them in slic3r and hit "arrange". What does it do?
I DON'T KNOW!
Obviously, if I had my way, I would arrange them like this:
But the things aren't numbered so it's a real PITA to try to manually arrange these things every time.
Common sense: just number the damn things.
Re: Printing multiple parts...inefficient
have you made the suggestion on github ? so that the developer can see it?
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: Printing multiple parts...inefficient
I always see prints start nearest to 0,0 or Home point position.
From there it goes clockwise and does a full circle going towards the center of platform at last, then returning to the first print position.
That's logically as it uses min x,y coordinates to get a point closest to the home position from where the print starts anyway.
Allthough, seeing print models numbered would be an awsome addition to Slic3r. 😀
Re: Printing multiple parts...inefficient
Slic3r generates the print order of multiple objects by chaining them using a greedy heuristics, starting with the first object and then picking the next closest object until all objects are chained. This is not an optimal algorithm, but it is reasonable.
I believe this chaining does not work inside a group of objects, which were added by the "plus" button, those are printed in a fixed internal order, which is not evident. I will look into this issue.
If you feel there is an issue with Slic3r it is always good to fill in a github tracker issue:
https://github.com/prusa3d/Slic3r/issues
Re: Printing multiple parts...inefficient
I have created an issue myself.
Re: Printing multiple parts...inefficient
Looks like it!
best of luck... 🙂
it's something I have noticed but not challenged!
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: Printing multiple parts...inefficient
Is this really only a path problem?
Let's look at another example.
I have two objects of different heights that I would like to print in a batch.
I throw them both into slic3r and hit "arrange", and this is what I get.
I'm pretty sure no matter what path you choose, it's going to suck because the arrangement sucks.
Personally, I would go with this:
Where once it finishes the cluster on the left, it never travels that area again. It will only operate on the remaining taller objects in their own space.
Re: Printing multiple parts...inefficient
Hi,
I tried to print muliple copies of the same little tiny piece. At first I had slice arrange them. Half of them came out with an uneven surface, due to the printing order getting shifted seemingly at random. Then I tried to arrange them manually, but Slic3r did not honor the order, obviously it tried being smart by using what it thinks is the shortest way for that layer, which is not the best way.
Next I tried putting the pieces in a chain so there would only be one next closest piece. -Much better!
-But since the pieces has a vertical opening at its side would still cause confusion for the right row, so I rotated them 45 degrees. Now they all came out nice!
Until SlicEr gets a decent way to control the order of the paths, this is the way I'll do it!
When pieces are of different height it requires some planning and enough empty spaces to pieces that are not the next in line, so that the shortest distance is still the next part in the chain, even when the shorter piece is finished. This way there will be no zig-zagging.
I used https://ncviewer.com to show the paths below:
Slic3r arrange:
First test with pieces in a chain, the open side of the piece triggered slic3er to get smart and distorting the parts to the right:
-Rotating the pieces 45degrees: -YES!
