3D Printer not printing properly

[MikeC 0]

Hi,

I'm very new to 3D printing. A couple of things I've tried have worked but the last print keeps failing.

 

I'm using Sketchup to design then importing into Cura and printing. If there are better ways I'm open to any help.

 

Whats happening is its printing the rectangular outline up to approx 2mm but then it's trying to print in the air which is obviously impossible. I've tried adjusting the infill settings to full but still nothing.

 

I'll attach the Cura file.

 

Any help would be massively appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance

Mike

CE3_Coving Mould Large 13.1.19.gcode

[gr5 2,331]

Pay particular attention to faces that are gray versus white in sketchup.  Read that part first maybe:

https://i.materialise.com/blog/3d-printing-with-sketchup/

[ahoeben 2,047]

2 hours ago, gr5 said:

Pay particular attention to faces that are gray versus white in sketchup.

 

You mean "pay particular attention to faces that are light-blueish versus white/grey". Right?

[MikeC 0]

Thank you so much for such quick answers. I've been looking at it agin and so sorry but I'm still struggling.

 

I've attached the Sketchup file.

 

If you could advise any flaws if you see it I'd massively appreciate it.

 

When I did check if the model is solid it did come up as Group which I guess is the problem I just can't work out how to fix it.

 

Thanks again

Mike

Coving Mould Large 13.1.19.stl

[tinkergnome 929]

Sigh... First of all: Sketchup is not well suited as a modeler for 3D printing. You should really consider a different modeling program...

 

If you want to stick with it: start with removing all superfluous inner faces, here are just a few:

There should be an "outer shell" tool that can be helpful

 

[geert_2 560]

SketchUp is not suitable for 3D-printing: it does not produce "solid" models, but a sort of "empty cardboard models" with gaps in the seams. Like paper models you glue together. SketchUp was only ment for visual representations of buildings, not for 3D-printing. It will drive you nuts, and you will waste huge amounts of time.

 

I would recommend you switch to another free program, such as DesignSpark Mechanical (for geometric models), or Fusion360. Or even Blender, if you need organic models, although Blender has a very high learning curve.

 

There are lots of good demos and manuals in Youtube. Watch a couple and see which interface and workflow appeals to you, and try that. It will cost you some time to learn, but you will soon earn that back.

 

[MikeC 0]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I will give Design Spark a go as mine will generally be geometric.

 

Really do appreciate your help