Hi, I want to print the shape as shown below. I would like some help on what would be the best approach for printing (I am using an Ultimaker 2+). I thought of cutting the shape in half, but that would require already too much supports.
Top view
Bottom view
Thanks in advance!
GIFT3D
2
Hi thvanarkel,
The best way if printing this would probably to print it the way up as it is in the bottom view. This would take the least amount of filament as there are far fewer, if any, supports. If supports are needed I would recommend using a low density setting so it is easy to peal away and requires very little sanding.
I hope this helps you out.
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For an ultimaker:
Iâve found optimal settings to be the screenshot below
Hi, if you adapt your bridging settings (extrusion and bridging speed) then you should be able to get away with minimal support in the centre of the circle
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DGvD
5
Hi thvanarkel
itâs just a suggestion. You can print two halfs, slicing the piece diametral, this is possible because the piece is symetric, and afterwards you can glue them together. Obviously you have then a mark where the pieces are glued.
Hi thvanarkel,
My suggestion is to print it with the bottom on the glass plate (your second picture) and let Cura do the support on the bottom (or use a more advance slicer like https://www.simplify3d.com to have control over support locations). In Cura: go for âlines support at 22%â (under full settings from the expert menu). That gives you an easy to remove support from the bottom of your object (assuming the inside of the bowl is what needs to look shiny and good 
).
I would surely not go for slicing it in two and gluing it after printing. That always leaves marks, and sanding those down with PLA material wonât make it look better because of the porous nature of printed PLA.
Cheers, Alain
I agree with gift3d, this orientation will will require the least amount of supports. If you an change the design such that the âbottomâ instead of going up and then straight (horizontal) for the face, use a blend starting at the edge to provide a curve that may be able to reduce the needs for supports totally. The inside face can still be flat.
Hi, I would print this with the bottom down and choose support type âtouching buildplateâ, unless you are stick to this design you may decide to change the design of the object to touch the build plate without the need for support and use a low infill percentage.
With regard to the curve, i think you can do this without support, i use a UM2 and i made shapes with simular overhang (although i can not fully judge based on the screenshots, if it the same).
i think the best thing to do first is the print a smaller version (scale down) of this object to see how the overhangs are printed.
GIFT3D
9
Thanks for agreeing with me. It is also a great idea to change the base piece as Chanman suggested.
You can actually print this without support if you cut the model right at the limit of the solid bottom.
Then you would print the big part with a flat surface on the bottom, and the remaining ring alone.
No support, yay !
You can use netfabb basic to cut this, it is free.
If my explanations are not clear, send me the stl file and Iâll cut it for you.
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Open side up would be me choice, you have to take into consideration the small holes and the raised platform. Gâluck, want to see how it comes out.
gr5org
12
Lotâs of great advice already - I didnât see anything I disagreed with. I would try it just as shown in the first photo because then there is less warping/lifting force on the bottom surface. I would print with heavy amounts of brim to keep the part on the glass and print with no support at all and I think it would come out okay. The worst quality would be on the underside of the âshelfâ.
Itâs critical that fan is on 100% when âbridgingâ. Bridging is when it starts making the shelf and the printer does that pretty well.
Another note - if you are cutting it in half you can do it in cura by using in the Quality section something like âsink part into bedâ and you can specify the amount in mm and look at what it is doing. Then flip it over and slice it again with a second value that cuts off the other end. for example if part is 10mm high and you want to split at 3mm from bottom sink it 3mm in and slice it and print it then flip over and sink it 7mm and print it then glue together with superglue preferably gel style and preferably brand new superglue out of a fresh bottle for the best strength and also rough up the surfaces with a knife or file or something for the glue to get more surface area.
But to cut it in half well I would make the surface much more complicated with bumps and holes to fit into so that the glue doesnât have to work hard.
Calan
13
I agree with everyone that printing the flat part down would be the best but you also have to take into account what side is most visible. Even with supports, the side facing down wont be perfect. Unless you plan on sanding and painting or donât care about it looking perfect, I would print the most visible/most need to be smooth side up. Best way would obviously be to cut it into 2 prints so it can lay flat on the print bed.
no support and bottom down, i see no issue printing it!
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Try using a high setting when creating an stl file for a smoother finish.Use thinner layers, good quality material (no chinese rubbish) HD glas or petg is good and low warping .Fans on full hit & slow it down .You could then possibly get away from using supports. would be a gamble tho. try a scaled down version for a tea light holder first
I would cut it into two parts. Lay flat the bottom. Before cutting it create some intern holes where you can put in some pins to help positioning while gluing. Take extra care of the adjustment of your platform, try to reduce the risk of deformation at the bottom. Use glue (hairspray) at the platform so you donât have to squeeze the first layer to make it stick. No support. Use good material and print it slow 30 mm/sec and cold 190 grC. Give it time and let it surprise you. Groet Bert
use âdimafixâ for bonding to heated beds not glue. i just used it on a 80 hr print on my um2+extended and it never budged
http://www.dimafix.com/
Hello Thvanarkel,
Do you accept cutting or have CNC machining resources ? if yes, just modify the drawing filled the bottom and then cut out after printed. Of course, it is trouble more than just FDM.
Thx
easy3dwork
Odin
How is the 0.15mm a good Z distance?
Do you print Z with 0.75mm layer height?
always make sure itâs related to the layer height you are printing with.
You donât need to cut the model, just add support at the bottom and it should be fine, br
