Make "vase mode" do two walls

[dryphi 0]

Hi, long time Cura user, infrequent poster.

I understand the point of vase mode (or Spiralize Outer Contour as it's called here) - to extrude one continuous stream of material all the way around and up the part.

But it occurs to me that, since there's a seam anyway (for layer transitions), couldn't there be two walls as well?

Have the extruder move around the inner wall, then go the outer wall (at the seam), and when progressing to the subsequent layer just move back to the inner wall (again at the seam) and repeat. Could theoretically make an entire vase-shaped part with two walls that would still be spiralized. It might even be more waterproof due to the wall transitions (as well as the added thickness).

 

EDIT: This would provide improved cosmetic finish especially for vase or cup shaped objects, or for anything with relatively thin walls. And continuous extrusion has other benefits such as greatly reduced vibration. I'm also guessing it would not be very difficult to implement, just spiralizing two walls before advancing layer height. Could even add a separation gap (or wall thickness) that would be similar to zero percent infill prints but with the speed and cosmetic benefits of continuous extrusion.

Edited April 7, 2021 by dryphi
Add more details

[ahoeben 1,694]

3 hours ago, dryphi said:

since there's a seam anyway (for layer transitions)

There should be no seam, no layer transition. A spiral changes Z continuously, instead of once per layer.

[dryphi 0]

(Delete)

Edited April 7, 2021 by dryphi
Duplicate post, figured out how to quote.

[dryphi 0]

42 minutes ago, ahoeben said:

There should be no seam, no layer transition. A spiral changes Z continuously, instead of once per layer.

 

Good to know. Well, this would still be a nice feature to have. Could still spiralize both walls, just with half the Z height change with each horizontal step.

Edited April 7, 2021 by dryphi

[ahoeben 1,694]

39 minutes ago, dryphi said:

Could still spiralize both walls, just with half the Z height change with each horizontal step.

You would get a seam where the hotend jumps from one wall to the other (and back).

[dryphi 0]

41 minutes ago, ahoeben said:

You would get a seam where the hotend jumps from one wall to the other (and back).

 

Yes. That would be acceptable for the other benefits.

There's seams involved in any "regular" print so this would still be an improvement.

Edited April 7, 2021 by dryphi

[dryphi 0]

Why does Cura say this? If Z changes continuously, there should be no Z seam.

Edited April 7, 2021 by dryphi

[geert_2 551]

A question: if you don't mind the seam, then why not just print two walls in normal non-vase mode? I don't see the point of a vase mode that creates seams?