On many prints I'd like the capability to selectively remove some of the support elements that ZSuite calculates for a particular job. Does any other slicing software have this capability and is the feature on ZSuite's enhancement list?
Mike
Really ? The support is so easy to remove anyway.
I suspect they have so many things still to do, like WIFI, that a feature such as this would be a very long way down the list.
Simplify 3D has this capability, but you can't use it with the M200.
Most of the time the support is no problem, but lately I've been trying to print a detailed model of the Star Wars Millenium Falcon:
https://grabcad.com/library/millenium-falcon-1#
For this particular model there are many areas/features that need support, but ZSuite also insists on incorporating support for several features that don't need it at all. I've come across a few other prints that had the same problem, so figured I'd ask about options here. Is this a problem for anyone else and, if so, how do you deal with it?
I agree that feature enhancements need to be carefully considered with the focus on adding first whatever most helps users. Perhaps Zortrax could consider selective support removal somewhere down the road when more pressing features have been addressed. I should probably make this request directly to Zortrax in email, but then the community has no chance to comment.
Mike
Are you trying to print all at once? I would section the model into pieces.. Just looked at it.. Not sure where you having support problems but the model is hollow for the most part.. Not really a good model for printing without some modification to it..
I've been designing my own supports to the model, and run the machine with no support. Luckily the M200 does a pretty darn good job at bridging so I can get away with not having supports in a lot of areas. Especially holes that I can't drill post process.
Are you trying to print all at once? I would section the model into pieces.. Just looked at it.. Not sure where you having support problems but the model is hollow for the most part.. Not really a good model for printing without some modification to it..
Yes, all at once. I've mucked with the model a bit and filled in some of the empty space, but it still needs work. I just finished a 34+ hour print and most of it came out well, but the cockpit got whittled down. There was model in the form of a keychain that was presented in 3 parts, but one of them warped badly so they won't glue together well. Thanks for the suggestion about sectioning it; I'll give that a shot.
There are still occasions though, when I would like to selectively remove support. This just happened to be a current project.
Mike
I've been designing my own supports to the model, and run the machine with no support. Luckily the M200 does a pretty darn good job at bridging so I can get away with not having supports in a lot of areas. Especially holes that I can't drill post process.
Can you expand on how you do that a bit? For example, what software do you use?
I generally have an idea of the print orientation when I'm designing a part. So for the very last features I've been adding a .5mm rib in areas that I feel will need some support. Many times it is because I'm afraid the part might tip over and it needs some extra stability. The last few parts I've done are decently tall, but have a very little contact patch with the print bed. The parts sway easy with a small contact patch and can easily fall over mid print. Pro/Engineer and Creo.
Michael what software are you using? SW?
On many prints I'd like the capability to selectively remove some of the support elements that ZSuite calculates for a particular job. Does any other slicing software have this capability and is the feature on ZSuite's enhancement list?
Mike
The Up software doesn't have the ability to selectively remove support elements per se, but it does have a very useful parameter, which is "minimum area". You can set this to 0, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, etc. square mm, and any model feature smaller than this threshold is printed without support even if it meets other criteria like support angle threshold.
I've previously suggested to Zortrax that they implement this; I would think that since it's algorithmic it'd be easier to implement than creating a new UI for user-controlled selective removal of arbitrary elements.
Michael what software are you using? SW?
GeoMagic Design. Most of my projects are mechanical in nature, so it's a good fit for me.
Mike
I generally have an idea of the print orientation when I'm designing a part. So for the very last features I've been adding a .5mm rib in areas that I feel will need some support. Many times it is because I'm afraid the part might tip over and it needs some extra stability. The last few parts I've done are decently tall, but have a very little contact patch with the print bed. The parts sway easy with a small contact patch and can easily fall over mid print. Pro/Engineer and Creo.
So basically just a 0.5 diameter vertical rod from the part floor to an overhanging part feature?
The Up software doesn't have the ability to selectively remove support elements per se, but it does have a very useful parameter, which is "minimum area". You can set this to 0, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, etc. square mm, and any model feature smaller than this threshold is printed without support even if it meets other criteria like support angle threshold.
I've previously suggested to Zortrax that they implement this; I would think that since it's algorithmic it'd be easier to implement than creating a new UI for user-controlled selective removal of arbitrary elements.
I like that idea.
I'm also discovering that support angle might be relevant and that it's function is probably a lot different than I'd assumed. I'm Googling for info on support, does anyone know of a good FAQ or tutorial on support and how select angle values?
PS: That Milwaukee mini hot air gun that you recommended somewhere is perfect for erasing the white blobs on parts. Much, much better than a full-size Milwaukee hot air gun.
Glad you're liking the little heat gun - I bought mine at a craft store 8 years ago for use in making my wedding invitations :)
Here's what support angle is all about:
So basically just a 0.5 diameter vertical rod from the part floor to an overhanging part feature?
That might be a little to small? I've done mine more like a rib or wall. 0.5mm x 10mm until it intersects the part.
some - 0.5 mm x 10 mm sounds a little better, but it's probably something experience dictates.
Julia - thanks for the support definition.