Toothless needs support help!

[LePaul 331]

Yes, Toothless from "How to Train Your Dragon" is a favorite of mine.

 

And there's a great model (without supports one) on Thingiverse.  (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2335797)

 

However no matter what I've done, the supports fail on the wings on the back

 

Using the latest Cura.... and really stumped as to how to get this little fella printed successfully!  It's eluded me a few times!

 

[Dim3nsioneer 558]

Why do the supports fail? Are they too small and break off? In this case play with the settings "support horizontal expansion" and "support join distance" until you get a solid block of support.

[LePaul 331]

Thanks for your reply.

 

Yes the supports came off from the base and I know in S3D I can set how many layers are solid.  (I supposed I could have opted for brim too)

 

I'll investigate those settings.

[LePaul 331]

Ok, I've been looking at those settings.

 

I think the problem is the foundation.  Even if I set a brim, the supports would be weak.

 

It looks like the wings have good support but the base would again be the weak spot.  Can you offer some tips on the Join Distance and Horizontal expansion that might be good to try?

 

[Dim3nsioneer 558]

I had good results with 10mm for the join distance. Default value for the horizontal expansion is in most cases not so bad but sometimes it does itself create islands on the outside of a print. Then I set it to 0.

[LePaul 331]

That's interesting.  So there's no way for a set some solid layers first to strengthen the support to the bed?

[kmanstudios 1,120]

Use the per model settings. Put a box or something over then and then choose the highlighted section in the image below.

You can choose how dense it is.

 

[LePaul 331]

"Put a box over it"

Can you elaborate?  Never utilized that feature before

[Dim3nsioneer 558]

1 hour ago, LePaul said:

That's interesting.  So there's no way for a set some solid layers first to strengthen the support to the bed?

 

Sure there is. Use a brim made from PVA.

[LePaul 331]

3 minutes ago, Dim3nsioneer said:

 

Sure there is. Use a brim made from PVA.

 

Ultimaker 2+    ?

[kmanstudios 1,120]

1 hour ago, LePaul said:

"Put a box over it"

Can you elaborate?  Never utilized that feature before

See if this helps clarify things. Lemme know if it does not ?

 

 

[tinkergnome 927]

@kmanstudios - but an "infill mesh" does not influence the stability of support structures, right?

 

1 hour ago, LePaul said:

So there's no way for a set some solid layers first to strengthen the support to the bed?

 

It depends on the support pattern. I think, "Zig Zag" has always this grid like bottom layer.

 

In general - "zig zag" supports are much more stable if you choose at least one surrounding wall. The setting is called "Support Wall line count". And you should select "Enable support roof".

 

 

[LePaul 331]

Okay those look promising....here's what I've added in...appreciate your thoughts

 

[kmanstudios 1,120]

I do not know if he is generating the support or it came with the model. But you and also use the same field to use the box or other geometry to print as support.

[kmanstudios 1,120]

Just now, LePaul said:

Okay those look promising....here's what I've added in...appreciate your thoughts

 

OK, he is generating the support.....I thought otherwise.

[LePaul 331]

This model (refer link) has two versions   Using the one without support

[tinkergnome 927]

8 minutes ago, LePaul said:

Okay those look promising....here's what I've added in..

 

Good luck!

...and if it doesn't work, you can still use a brim... ?

[Dim3nsioneer 558]

9 hours ago, LePaul said:

 

Ultimaker 2+    ?

 

Mark2 ?

I see you got some good advices in the meantime.

[LePaul 331]

I decided to go with brim and the changes I posted above.

 

79% into the print and the area that failed previously is working very well.

 

I'll let you know how the finished print does but so far (20 hour print), the big problem area seems to be working well.  I think the brim gives a stronger base for the support and added the one wall helped too.

 

[kmanstudios 1,120]

I just remembered...duhhhhhh, have you tried conical support or towers? They can print a wide base and taper to thin parts at the model itself.

 

How is THAT for a delayed reaction?