1 Topic by DarrellS

  • DarrellS
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  • Registered: 2014-07-18
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Topic: Most efficient settings to print something like this

I am attaching an stl file that I made up yesterday and printed last night. It printed okay except for a little curling at the edges, but I think that had to do with me printing with the top of the printer open because the filament was sliding against it when the extruder moved.

I printed at a 15% infill and that made it plenty sturdy, but I am wondering if there is a way to print it that would be more efficient with the use of filament.

I am not entirely sure what the support material function of slicer is. I had assumed it would add necessary support under structural portions of an object, but when I attempted to print at zero infill it didn't add anything and just had the printer extrude into "thin air."

I was hoping if I could get some insight on this object I would gain a better grasp of the overall process.

This is just a stand to hold some small one ounce bottles with each row stair stepped so I can read all of the labels without moving any of the bottles.

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StackedBottleHolders4x4.stl 983.45 kb, 22 downloads since 2014-08-06 

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2 Reply by pirvan

  • pirvan
  • pirvan
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  • From: San Francisco
  • Registered: 2013-03-27
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Re: Most efficient settings to print something like this

Supports are generated to support overhangs, bridges and parts that would otherwise start in midair.  to support the top surface of a print, especially when that surface is horizontal or close to it, you need some infill.

The density of your infill (15% in your case) determines how close the infill pattern lines are.  The closer those lines are, the easier it is for your printer to span across them when it starts to build the top layers.

There are other settings that can help with that too.  You can increase the number of top layers to insure that the final top layer is nice and smooth without sags and holes.  You can also combine infill, and try checking the "infill only where needed".  The idea of this last option is that Slic3r will only generate infill in areas needed to support the top layers (ceilings).  Unfortunately it doesn't always work as you expect it, but try it anyway.

Just try different settings, the slice the object, then look at it in Repetier a layer at the time.  Pay particular attention to the few layers just before the first top layers.  Make sure they are in the right places.  If everything looks OK, hit print.

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

3 Reply by n2ri

  • n2ri
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  • From: St Louis MO USA area
  • Registered: 2013-02-03
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Re: Most efficient settings to print something like this

curling up at bottom is mostly due to heated bed too hot. I set mine at 80c for ABS 60 PLA

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

4 Reply by n2ri

  • n2ri
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Re: Most efficient settings to print something like this

also what slicer you using? skienforge done wierd like that is why I use slic3r

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