Cura 2.1.2 Support types Which works best?

[LePaul 322]

I'm getting good prints with this version of Cura after some growing pains.

One thing I would like to understand better in the support types.

The default ZigZag works well holding my part in place, but removing it is turning into a problem.

Since the part I am printing is semi-circular and raised, it generates a lot of support. The model has been optimized for the position it prints at, after a lot of testing with other testers.

Now most of the support material comes off nicely. But a fair amount remains on the part and requires a lot of time with a scraper or sharp knife to remove

I see there are other types of support structures to chose from...

I'm interested to learn what others have used and what their preference has been? Pros? Cons?

[gr5 2,177]

I'm pretty sure you could have rotated that part so it was more flat and needed less support.

[LePaul 322]

Hi @gr5

True, I can lay it about 15 degrees flatter.

But I still would like to hear about different support material types. Removing it is quite a chore!

[krys 206]

Hi there,

I have been playing a bit lately with the new supports, though not extensively. I have noticed 2 things that might help:

1) Keeping Zig Zag, there is an option to add a roof to the supports. This uses more plastic, but I found it helps quite a bit with removing the supports and keeping a decent surface quality.

2) Without the roof, when removing the Zig Zag supports, I have had some success with pre-cutting any joining bits that are not part of the zig zag pattern (i.e. the first layer grid pattern), and then pulling the support off horizontally, like stretching the zig zags like a spring. This has given me a cleaner surface, though not perfect.

I hope I am explaining that last part clearly enough.

Finally, maybe try increasing the Z spacing of the supports to 2 or 3 layers to reduce bonding? That might negatively affect surface quality a bit, but it might also be better than fighting strongly bonded supports. Just thought.

Anyway, hope this helps.

[LePaul 322]

I was curious about the roof option and appreciate you mentioning that.  It's worth a try!

Edit: In a part like this, I just need a Z Distance for the Top Distance. It looks like on this model, using 0.2mm layers, the default is 0.15 top distance. Would that work well? (Yes, keeping ZigZag)

Edited August 4, 2016 by Guest

[krys 206]

I read, I think in the tool tip, that the Z distance is rounded up to the nearest multiple of layer height. So, with 0.2mm layers, 0.15 distance would get rounded to 0.2 anyway. So, I am not sure it would make a difference. Give it a try though! Though, I think I would attempt 0.3mm as a test first.

Also, I just remembered another unrelated but helpful tip I learned a while back. When testing, use just a small section of your model to cut down on time and plastic. Just thought that might help too.

Good luck!

[avogra 68]

I prefer zigzag as it has the best combination of density and removability in my opinion. Add support roof and it is even better. Current Cura has a bug, using a wider grid for the first layer, which weakens bed adhesion of the support. Maybe they will have that fixed in the next release. For me it always worked up to now.

[LePaul 322]

Well this is unusual

I took @gr5 's suggestion to lay it a bit flatter and tried the 0.3 z distance and that didn't seem to do much

But my print has a crop circle going on! I think I may leave the supports as they previously were...and print the remaining parts at the default position, as the testers suggested.

Still....I've never seen something like this

[avogra 68]

Fancy! Your part seems to be a section from a very large sphere. When I print cuteOcto, the top of it has a similar pattern. And it looks a little bit underextruded?

[LePaul 322]

Very odd, since the other prints have been perfectly fine

The only change I made asides what I mentioned...is I cleaned and lubricated the XY rods and wiped them clean.

[Labern 774]

I normally use grid. I haven't tried all support options but in the past I have had issues with zigzag breaking off in some places where it was important.

I normally use support roof of 80% and 0.25 nozzle 0.1 layer and the result is very clean and support just pops of easily.

[gr5 2,177]

It's because you followed my suggestion and layed it flatter :(

You can reduce those "crop circles" by lowering your layer height but to reduce it more tilt the part back up the way it was.

You will get these "crop circles" on the top of any sphere you print - the bigger the radius of the sphere the more obvious. So on a friendly octopus not so bad. On this HUGE sphere it's pretty obvious. It's just how layering works. This is why some people want a slicer that makes thinner and thinner slices as you get closer to the top of a sphere. Variable layer height slicing.

[Dim3nsioneer 557]

With simplify3d you can change the layer height at any height. This means fast printing for the lower layers and good resolution for the upper layers of a sphere-like object.

[krys 206]

It's because you followed my suggestion and layed it flatter :(

 

I disagree. Clearly aliens have invaded LePaul's printer.

[LePaul 322]

@Dim3nsioneer - I haven't had much luck just getting my Ultimaker Original setup in S3D For now I'm trying to work thru the issue in Cura.

@gr5 Yes, I followed your advice and ....opps. Someone owes me a Guinness

How does the support roof function work? I might be willing to give that a try.

[Labern 774]

It lays concentric circles on top of the support at a user set percentage. It provides a smooth finish but I think it's mainly suited to flat surfaces.

[Labern 774]

This it grid support with 80% support roof removed from my last print. Top picture shows support roof.