support spacing is controlled in CAD and/or meshmixer. not cura. If cura generates it's own support with it's own algorithms - then yes you turn on the support features and you can set things like support gaps in x,y,z.
But the feature you were using was intended to *remove* support from areas other than the shape. You can add shapes to cura that can either block support. Or exclude support outside the volume. but since you are designing support in other software you need to disable all cura support features including the "per object" support features.
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geert_2 557
Yes. These models were designed a couple of years ago for single-nozzle printers, and older slicers. So they are all printed with the exact same settings. Sometimes I provide gaps to make removal easier, so that parts are only kept in place by strings, not modeled connections.
I consider these supports an integral part of the design, not a separate add-on later. Similar to when designing for injection moulding, then you also consider the fabrication method and aspects from the very beginning.
These are all very small models, so reachability and removability of the supports, without doing damage to the model, is most important. I must be able to grab the supports, and wiggle or pull them out.
For larger models, you could construct your own supports so that they consume very little material but are still quite strong. They don't have to be tree-shaped; you could also chose hollow cylinders or bars, or whatever shape suits the purpose.
For stability, be sure to give it a huge custom brim, so it bonds wel to the bed and won't be knocked over. Make the side walls strong enough, so they don't wobble. This is why a hollow cylinder or pipe-system could be better than a thin tree in some cases. (Your concept-drawings might suffer from these: not enough brim to prevent falling over, and the stems may be too thin to be stable.)
Include all required holes, slits and other features to get in there with a knife, scalpel, pliers, hooks, etc..., to remove the supports later on. Sometimes this requires a lot of thinking.
For dual nozzle printers, you could design a stiff and cheap support in PLA (if het main model is in PLA too), and only use a thin dissolvable PVA-interface layer between support tree and model, like this concept drawing, with a dove-tail for good bonding of PVA-support to PLA-support:
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adi_s 0
Thanks for the detailed answer!
I've just bought the printer 2 months ago and I'm studying the methods, materials and software. According to my trials the automatic supports in Cura are probably not good enough for me so I'm testing other support methods. I don't plan to print the model in this post, did it just to clarify the problem I encountered with Cura.
Will probably do as you suggested, model the supports in 3D modeling sw and not count on the slicers.
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