Challenge: How to print this with PLA supports in Cura (UM 3)

[Tiger91 1]

Hi UM community,

I'm trying to get the settings right for printing this with PLA so the supports can be easily removed: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:250645

Unfortunately, I'm having lots of trouble getting them right so the print is stable, has a good looking lower section, AND has supports that aren't fused to the print.

If anyone can print this out with Cura PLA supports, and tell me how to do it I would be very appreciative.

[SandervG 1,521]

Hi @Tiger91, thank you for your post.

I see in the title you own an Ultimaker 3. You can also add this information to your profile, so it is mentioned underneath your name.

Is there a reason why you would not want to print this with PVA supports?

If you insist on using PLA supports where your build materials is also PLA, I would suggest to use default print profiles for PLA. Install print core AA in slot 2, and make sure your Cura set up is identical.

Based upon a standard profile, you could try these changes and see how they influence your support and the remaining surface:

Support line width: 0.28mm

Support pattern: Zigzag

Support overhang angle: 60º

Support line distance: 1mm

Support Z distance 0.2mm

Support distance priority: Z overrides X/Y

Support horizontal expansion 0.5mm

Do not enable support interface.

Hopefully this works!

[Tiger91 1]

Hi @Tiger91, thank you for your post.

I see in the title you own an Ultimaker 3. You can also add this information to your profile, so it is mentioned underneath your name.

Is there a reason why you would not want to print this with PVA supports?

If you insist on using PLA supports where your build materials is also PLA, I would suggest to use default print profiles for PLA. Install print core AA in slot 2, and make sure your Cura set up is identical.

Based upon a standard profile, you could try these changes and see how they influence your support and the remaining surface:

Support line width: 0.28mm

Support pattern: Zigzag

Support overhang angle: 60º

Support line distance: 1mm

Support Z distance 0.2mm

Support distance priority: Z overrides X/Y

Support horizontal expansion 0.5mm

Do not enable support interface.

Hopefully this works!

 

Hi - I've tried your advice and the results are far superior to what I was getting (though not 100% consistent).

I prefer using PLA supports for most prints as it allows me to not only print much faster, but use two colors/materials at the same time.

[SandervG 1,521]

Cool, do you have some photo's to show the difference?

[Tiger91 1]

Cool, do you have some photo's to show the difference?

 

I'll upload some

Is there a way of directly putting up pics from the desktop?

[gr5 2,167]

Yes. While writing your post - when you are ready to insert a picture, click the 2nd icon from the right within the post editor (image gallery) - immediately go to the second tab in the image gallery and then drag and drop a picture onto it (it doesn't say you can do this but it works).