1

Topic: How to print a ball?

Does anyone know how to print a ball?
I find that the top half is easy, but the bottom half is impossible.
It does not seem to want to print curved surface that expands.

2

Re: How to print a ball?

Try spliting the ball in half and gluing.

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3

Re: How to print a ball?

Use supports. Curves are easy, just need a surface to print them on.

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4

Re: How to print a ball?

The problem with supports, is that bottom will look pretty rough, compared to the top. 

I second the splitting in 2 solution.

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5

Re: How to print a ball?

+1

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6 (edited by carl_m1968 2015-06-13 02:58:13)

Re: How to print a ball?

pirvan wrote:

The problem with supports, is that bottom will look pretty rough, compared to the top. 

I second the splitting in 2 solution.


Well I always sand everything I print. The print from a printer is in no way supposed to be considered a finished product. You will always need some sort of post processing to make a product that is at a level of finished goods. But then again I print for business and not just personal use.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

7

Re: How to print a ball?

Thanks everyone.
I have been doing the split and glue tactic, but was hoping it was possible to easily avoid it

8

Re: How to print a ball?

it is possible to print a ball/circular shape without splitting it, but does require slower speeds, and sometimes support material may be needed - depends on your printer and the material being used.

if you are using slic3r, uncheck "detect bridging perimeters" in the settings - this will slow it down for overhanging perimeters (it wants to speed up those kinds of perimeters if that is checked). You may also want to slow down the speeds in general, but try it and see how it goes.

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9

Re: How to print a ball?

Rather than splitting and gluing, you can create a couple of  solid pegs on one side and a couple of hollow pegs on the other. Cat toys are held together like this typically. It has the advantage that if you design it properly the sphere will have a nearly perfect appearance. With glue or acetone you have to carefully line it up.

10

Re: How to print a ball?

Try mesh mixer's support generator. It does a great job but you still may have to use the slicers support for the first 5mm or so

11

Re: How to print a ball?

Also, use a fan.  You will only need supports for the first 20 degrees or so if you have a fan on the work.