Multiple Like Items At The Same Time?
How do I print multiple like items the same? Copy and paste and arrange on the plate then slice them all?
RE: Multiple Like Items At The Same Time?
Use the "+" add button to add additional copies. Hit "A" to automatically arrange them. For short+small items I like to fully print each one before going to the next. It's faster and you usually get a better quality part. There's a check box for that if you go to print settings and output options. Be sure to hit "A" after checking the box because the slicer will rearrange the parts to avoid collisions with the print head. Slice and then check the tool path with the two sliders so you know what it's going to do.
RE: Multiple Like Items At The Same Time?
For short+small items I like to fully print each one before going to the next. It's faster [...]
My experience is the opposite. For small items, ensuring the minimum time per layer (to allow for the layer to cool down and solidify) means that the printer will slow down quite a bit when you ask it to print part by part sequentially. In contrast, if it prints multiple parts per layer that takes long enough, so the printer can operate at full speed.
Nevertheless I prefer to print the parts sequentially if I have the time, mainly as a safeguard against failures. If something should go wrong mid-print, at least you have the parts that were already completed.
RE: Multiple Like Items At The Same Time?
Well I have 12 to do so and as I'm about as new as they get. Maybe I'll do 2 one way and 2 the other way. Then what ever works best I'll do the last 6 that way. I appreciate you all taking the time to help me out!!!!
Mike
RE: Multiple Like Items At The Same Time?
Interesting point on speed. I'll have to try it both ways. Some of my parts have been small round items in vase mode, so those have to be completed before moving on to the next. Do you think layer adhesion would be better printing on a warm part, as opposed to a cooler part? Or does it matter?
RE: Multiple Like Items At The Same Time?
Interesting point on speed. I'll have to try it both ways. Some of my parts have been small round items in vase mode, so those have to be completed before moving on to the next. Do you think layer adhesion would be better printing on a warm part, as opposed to a cooler part? Or does it matter?
To check the timing you don't need to actually print; the slicer should calculate the total time correctly for either mode.
I have also wondered whether printing onto a warm layer below is advantageous, but have never made and compared test prints. Since one has to wait in any case until the layer below has solidified, it probably does not make a major difference whether it is a bit warmer or cooler? It's always "molten filament sticking to solidified filament".
RE:
I'm think it's widely understood that layer adhesion is best when the layer being printed upon is still a bit warm. However, you need the *right* temperature here because print/surface quality can and will be significantly affected if the print head returns to the area too quickly and the plastic is still too warm.
This balance is less important with materials that generally have decent layer adhesion like PLA or PETG. For these materials you can somewhat ignore this and not worry too much about how cold the layer below is when printing. This is why folks can print whole large beds of PLA prints with little worry.
Materials like ABS and ASA notoriously have poor layer adhesion if not printed in a very hot chamber, so when you have the time/ability to tune your speeds to hit the happy medium, the result will be a notably stronger part.
Adequately high chamber heat for these materials can do the job of maintaining the temperature of a layer until the print head returns for the next one, giving the control back to the operator (you) rather than trying to decide the layer times and compromise on the perfect speed per print.
Also worth considering when deciding between simultaneous and sequential printing is the value of your time. The clearance required around each object increases significantly with sequential printing...which means you may only get 4 small or 2 medium sized prints with each printing job. This can mean 3-6 printing tasks vs only 1 if all 12 items will fit on the bed for simultaneous printing.
I do not often print quantities of items, and don't sell anything, so I always use sequential when I have multiples. This ensures clean output/minimal stringing, as well as to minimize loss if something goes wrong part way through (even if this is incredibly rare).
-J