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Topic: Support material not touching object - Slic3r setting?

I'm using Slic3r on a model with some horizontal overhangs (barrel and split trail on a howitzer).  I noticed that my support material is stopping short of the horizontal extensions; it seems okay on tires, etc.

Any idea if this is a Slic3r setting?

2 (edited by n2ri 2014-10-21 22:52:32)

Re: Support material not touching object - Slic3r setting?

mine does that some. usually most makes contact but main thing is it keeps plastic from sagging while printing. once in a while that barely touching issue lets a small part like a wheel on small vehicle fall loose b4 its stuck to the rest of model. if Im watching print I have held it with tweezers till it is attached to model so it dont cause other holes/gaps. I dont like making support thicker for this as that makes for harder to clean off later. also for slight over hangs beyond support I have held a tool under it till plastic hardens (since no Gcode fan for such bridges) then it finishes layers on top fine. thats why a Gcode cooling fan at nozzle tip and duel extruders for wash off support material are my main wish list items for like an WB apprentice.

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: Support material not touching object - Slic3r setting?

Ok, I've been doing some poking around on the web.  Apparently, the space between the top of the support material and the horizontal bottom of an object is referred to as "contact distance".

Looking through the code on GitHub, it appears that contact distance is hard-coded to be the diameter of the nozzle.  So, I guess if you're slicing at .3mm, with a nozzle of .4mm, you're only talking one layer.  If you're slicing at .1mm, it's now four layers...not so good.

There was some requests to make contact distance a configurable parameter, but that doesn't seem to have been implemented.

4 (edited by n2ri 2014-10-23 01:58:25)

Re: Support material not touching object - Slic3r setting?

what about in slic3r config under the support tab at bottom where it says "interface pattern spacing" 0mm? maybe thats how much to add/reduce that layer size to make them closer

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: Support material not touching object - Slic3r setting?

The "Interface Layers" setting is what controls how many solid support layers are printed horizontally before the first bottom layers of your model are printed.  "Interface Pattern Spacing" should control how much space there is between the model and the support structure laterally (changing that setting never seemed to make much difference for me).

That aside, I had a similar issue to OP and solved it under Slic3r Configure / Advanced / Support Material = 0 (for Default).  I previously had it set to 35% and it was hugely under extruding all support.  Setting this to 0 fixed it for me...

SD2 - Stock - Enclosure - Heated Bed - Glass Plate - Auto Fire Extinguisher
Ord Bot Hadron - RAMPS 1.4 - Bulldog XL - E3D v6 - 10" x 10" PCB Heated Build w/SSR - Glass Plate
Thanks for All of Your Help!

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Re: Support material not touching object - Slic3r setting?

IronMan wrote:

The "Interface Layers" setting is what controls how many solid support layers are printed horizontally before the first bottom layers of your model are printed.  "Interface Pattern Spacing" should control how much space there is between the model and the support structure laterally (changing that setting never seemed to make much difference for me).

That aside, I had a similar issue to OP and solved it under Slic3r Configure / Advanced / Support Material = 0 (for Default).  I previously had it set to 35% and it was hugely under extruding all support.  Setting this to 0 fixed it for me...


always wondered about that setting, thanks Ironman. the last setting you talked about determines how thin support material is compared to whats being extruded meaning at 0=default it will be same as perimeters on model making removal much harder without damaging model (as many parts are same size) from my own experience printing tiny detailed parts. also the guy whos models we are making gave those settings that he uses on his 'UP' printer to get good results on his 1:200 scale Military Armor models. if printing at least 2x larger and if you have all tools needed to very carefully remove support that may be OK but I have all hobby tools available the past 50 years plus hand made tools, dental etc and at scales smaller than 1:120th its near impossible damage free as small of space there is to work. most my vehicle models are 1:160th and some 1:220th and an hour is on the long side of a print this size so I have printer just above my laptop screen and can 'help' it along when needed while browsing.

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

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Re: Support material not touching object - Slic3r setting?

one tool I am looking at to help here is just coming on the market lixpen.com its pricy at about $150 but smallest version made yet and could finish tiny detailed 3D models or repair them easy.

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs