adrian wrote:

Retroplayer wrote:

Looks good, but $140 is a bit steep without a trial of some sort.

If you email them directly, and state your intentions, you can get a 14 day trial.

I buckled the other week and finally bought a copy - I trialled it 12 months ago and wasn't that impressed but its improved a lot and they provide 'support' for lots more printers now so for most people it will work out of the box.

Thanks, Adrian. I will give that a try!

No joy! They said they have no trial and I could just look at anonymous posts in forums as a testament to their quality. No. No thank you. Wasn't born yesterday.

I have the new slic3r and Repetier-host. I could try using that with supports and see if it makes any difference. No dual extruder here, I have the SD4. I only tried Skeinforge a couple of times when I first got the printer and I seem to recall it doing something better, but I don't remember what it was now.

The new Repetier-Host is where I am using Cura, though I do have it stand-alone as well.

I never had to scale my parts. I read that many times here. What is the advantage to doing it?

I use files shared by others but made either full prototype or different scale than I want to print for hobby use and rescale in RH but its not real accurate mostly math if true size known or eyeball it by grid on print bed in RH then measure a test print. but many times had to 1st save new STL and run through netfab b4 slicing due to scaling making non-manifode or if scaled from prototype down walls and details are too small for slicing

My question would be: Is it possible to rethink your design in a way that eliminates layers starting over open space or with 90 degree projections?

I've had to deal with similar problems in a project I've been working on, but admittedly without some of the challenges designed into your model. What I've found is there are generally ways to work around the limitations of the technology by working out designs that will print okay within those limits. Using a blend or camphor below overhangs works quite well in most cases. You will probably also want to use fine print settings with models with those kinds of features. If your overhangs have a curved or straight taper below them, the printer is able to gradually build those out, one layer at a time, as the print moves upward, instead of trying to deal with it at a single start point.

In one place on your model, I see what I assume are bolt holes that are entirely unsupported at the level where they begin. Would it be possible to start those at the floor of your model and use longer bolts?

Basically, what I see is a part that is well designed for injection molding, but one that would be tough to build with 3D printing.

Just my two cents worth and worth every penny (or less).

Retroplayer wrote:

wire10ga wrote:

I was using slic3r and Repetier-host, then I bought Simplify 3D and have been using that lately.  It gives you the abliity to put support just where you want.

Looks good, but $140 is a bit steep without a trial of some sort.

If you email them directly, and state your intentions, you can get a 14 day trial.

I buckled the other week and finally bought a copy - I trialled it 12 months ago and wasn't that impressed but its improved a lot and they provide 'support' for lots more printers now so for most people it will work out of the box.

Thanks, Adrian. I will give that a try!

wire10ga wrote:

n2ri wrote:

yes many none technical bosses abandon tools they dont know how to figure out lol. what slicer are you using for G-code?

I was using slic3r and Repetier-host, then I bought Simplify 3D and have been using that lately.  It gives you the abliity to put support just where you want.

Looks good, but $140 is a bit steep without a trial of some sort.

If you email them directly, and state your intentions, you can get a 14 day trial.

I buckled the other week and finally bought a copy - I trialled it 12 months ago and wasn't that impressed but its improved a lot and they provide 'support' for lots more printers now so for most people it will work out of the box.

n2ri wrote:

yes many none technical bosses abandon tools they dont know how to figure out lol. what slicer are you using for G-code?

I was using slic3r and Repetier-host, then I bought Simplify 3D and have been using that lately.  It gives you the abliity to put support just where you want.

Looks good, but $140 is a bit steep without a trial of some sort.

yes many none technical bosses abandon tools they dont know how to figure out lol. what slicer are you using for G-code?

I was using slic3r and Repetier-host, then I bought Simplify 3D and have been using that lately.  It gives you the abliity to put support just where you want.

The new Repetier-Host is where I am using Cura, though I do have it stand-alone as well.

I never had to scale my parts. I read that many times here. What is the advantage to doing it?

yes many none technical bosses abandon tools they dont know how to figure out lol. what slicer are you using for G-code?

I have been using Cura a lot lately. I prefer it over Slic3r, but I couldn't give you a specific reason why. Maybe the settings are just a little easier to understand.

Oh you can, if you have a industry 3D printer. Till then, we have to make due with what we can afford

I just learned that we have one at my work that has been broken down for about 7 years. I am not sure why they never repaired it. I am working to transfer it to my department so I can fix it and see what it can do. I even put a few probes in to make sure it is given to me if they plan to toss it. I forget the exact model, but it is a large Z-Corp SLS printer.

It was probably abandoned because the people that knew how to use it had moved on. I work in the avionics industry so there is all kinds of stuff laying around, abandoned. Every once in a while I convince the company to let me take it.

Cross your fingers for me!