Printing problem at low angle
I tried printing a geodesic dome, diameter of 50mm on my MK2 with PLA, normal printing speed.
Sides were good but in the canopy, the flatter the angle became, it all messed up, some lines didn't stick as can be seen in the pictures.
Any ideas how to make it work?
Re: Printing problem at low angle
You will need to print with supports for angles like that.
- Gab
Re: Printing problem at low angle
❗ yeah, i totally agree: you need to print with support. ❗
with fdm printing it is not possible to print layers "in the air".
with steep angles and small structures it is somehow possible (when you use a fan), but at shallow angles like the top of your dome, it simply can not work.
💡 printing with support means that the slicer puts a framework of columns under the shallow areas. this support structure "touches" the layers of the object you like to print, but it doesn't get "fused" to it. so you should be able to remove them quite easy without damaging your print.
➡ but support structures are costly in two ways: first you need more material, second you'll need more time.
dem inscheniör is' nix zu schwör...
Re: Printing problem at low angle
You should be OK if you print the outer perimeter before the loops.
That will give the inner loops something to hold on to.
Note that this will only work for models which get narrower the higher they go.
Peter
Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…
Re: Printing problem at low angle
Maybe a totally bullshit idea from a noob (as I still am) but just another approach I'd try:
If you have to print it with supports anywhay: What about printing it upside down? You'd need less material and it would take less time for the supports than instead printing a hight tower in the center to just support the very top...
What do the pro's say to that idea? good or bad?
Re: Printing problem at low angle
Another try could be: make smaller layer height in upper part of print. Slic3r allows to change layer height midprint. See http://manual.slic3r.org/expert-mode/variable-layer-height
Re: Printing problem at low angle
Maybe a totally bullshit idea from a noob (as I still am) but just another approach I'd try:
If you have to print it with supports anywhay: What about printing it upside down? You'd need less material and it would take less time for the supports than instead printing a hight tower in the center to just support the very top...
What do the pro's say to that idea? good or bad?
this is a way you could do it ❗
➡ the only issue might be that removing the support structure will leave some marks at the surface. so if the upper surface should be visible for "display purposes" (if it needs to look nice and tidy), then i would go with the normal orientation.
💡 but if it's only a functional part, where you doesn't need to care about a tidy look, then it's a very good idea !
dem inscheniör is' nix zu schwör...
Re: Printing problem at low angle
VERY new, and perhaps too gullible, but doesn't the latest Prusa Slic3r version have a feature that specifically addresses this?
http://www.prusaprinters.org/introducing-slic3r-prusa-edition/#_ga=1.92834461.186732314.1482345336
About a third of the way down the Pumpkin Head picture looks similar to this?
Re: Printing problem at low angle
Guys
Thank you all for your great suggestions.
I am going to try them out and update what works.
Re: Printing problem at low angle
I installed latest slicer from prusa site which states to be 1.7.5. In affect the slicer title line said version 1.3.1.6. This is on Windows.
So I am not sure if I have yet latest version or nor. The feature "ensure Wall thickness" does not appear, instead there is a feature called "vertical shell thickness" which doesn't solve the problem.
Gonna try support next.
Re: Printing problem at low angle
Here you can find all compiled releases of Slic3r Prusa Edition: https://github.com/prusa3d/Slic3r/releases
Re: Printing problem at low angle
Here you can find all releases from Slic3r Prusa Edition: https://github.com/prusa3d/Slic3r/releases