1 Topic by kyle79914

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Topic: How to print with overhangs and supports?

I'm new to 3d printing and just got my printer yesterday. I finally figured out how to adjust everything and make my part stick to the bed. Now I'm ready to try printing a more complex part, but it has overhangs and will need some sort of support. What is the best way to make a support that will be easy to remove when I am done? I did a search and didn't find any answer. Is there a place that talks about this, a website or forum post?

What's a good spacing between supports?

What is the best general shape for a support?

I attached a picture of the part in question. There is a long arch on the bottom of the part, in the middle, and another one on the left side of the part, at the bottom.

I have a solidoodle 2 with a heated bed. Slic3r to slice.

Thanks

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2 Reply by ysb

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Re: How to print with overhangs and supports?

do you try to use the automatic support generated by slic3r ?

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3 Reply by kyle79914

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Re: How to print with overhangs and supports?

I didn't see that option. I just searched and found it. I will try a test print to see how it works out. Thanks.

What is rh/slic3r? Is it a different version or a better one?

4 Reply by cckens

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Re: How to print with overhangs and supports?

RH or Repetier Host is a control software like Pronterface.  It's a lot more intuitive and packages both Slic3r and Skeinforge as slicers, so you can choose what you use.

5 Reply by Gordym

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Re: How to print with overhangs and supports?

I printed several things last week using support in Slicer. It was easy to remove most of it by hand. There were some extraneous bits left so I found a soft wire wheel for my dremil and used it to remove the rest. Obviously, I turned down the speed and was careful to go "with the grain" of the print. Also apply light pressure and the bits will remove easily. I personally like the support in Skeinforge better and Ian recommends the support in KiSSlicer as well. The problem with Skeinforge is the length of time it takes to slice a model is significantly greater than Slic3r.

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6 Reply by cckens

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Re: How to print with overhangs and supports?

If you're handy enough you could build the support matrix into the item when you create it.  Lawsy did it with the Mk4 base.  There's the little round that you have to snap off. 

It's not difficult to do in just a few instances.  If you make the support a single width (.42mm) in your modeling/CAD program and attach it to the model, you can save some time in generating support.  I generally create cross-hatch patterns across the area that needs support that looks like this /\/\/\/\/\/\.

Beware that your support does not go beyond the bottom of the model or else slicing will not be pretty.