Can you change printer settings at a specific layer height.

[jateu01 2]

I'm printing an RC glider. The very top layers does not require layers but a third of the way up I do require top layers. How do I change printer settings at specific height? Currently using Bambi studio which has this feature. Not sure where it is on cura. 

 

Many thanks 

[GregValiant 1,489]

There is a post-processing plugin called "Change At Z" ("Extensions | Post Process | Modify Gcode" then "Add Script").  It has many settings that can be adjusted.

You might need two instances - the first would make a change in a setting at a specific layer and "Target + subsequent layers" and the second might reset it 5 layers later and also for "Target + subsequent layers".  Your new setting for speed, temp, flow, etc. would be in place for 5 layers.

 

If you just want to change fan speeds then the post processor "Advanced Cooling Fan Control" is also available.

 

Edited October 30, 2024 by GregValiant

[jateu01 2]

Fantastic so I change at layer height and then just select how many top layers I want and the infill.

[jateu01 2]

Cannot find any function to app top layers ! So the model is hollow with no top layers! Also there seems to be added later on the wing internal support which isn't needed and add weight !

[GregValiant 1,489]

Load the model and set Cura up the best you can.  Use the "File | Save Project" command and post the 3mf file here.  It's hard to tell what's going on without seeing the model live and in person.

 

"Add top layers" at some midpoint of the model is not an option.  Like most things they must be present in the model.  There are things you can do but airplane parts (and boat hulls) are tricky because they are often surfaces rather than solids.  Do a screenshot and add some arrows or something (3D paint or something similar) to indicate what you want to do.

[jateu01 2]

Here are images. Wing top issues images shows the top layers not being there. And the wing bottom layer issue images shows bottom layers on the wing internal support where it is not needed. I don't have any of these issues with Bambu slicer. The reason for using cura, I'm getting far better print quality with the ASA aero. But these issues with the top layers missing really is an issue. Bambu studio allows top layers to be added as a user specified height. 

Edited October 30, 2024 by jateu01

[GregValiant 1,489]

The yellow areas appear to be skins.  Cura will add those to supplement an area to fulfill the Top/Bottom thickness when the walls are at an angle.

If appears you are slicing that in a normal mode.  Most airplane fuselages and wings are printed in "spiralize" to save weight.

If there is no "top surface" in that area of the model Cura has no settings to add one.  Spiralize does not allow top surfaces at all.

The problem could be your Cura settings but without a project file there is no way to tell.  I have the latest Bambu Studio installed and I don't see a command to add surfaces at a height.

 

 

[jateu01 2]

So Bambu studio is better then in ability to modify. 

[GregValiant 1,489]

I own a lot of different types of hammers.  Each one has a particular purpose.

Similarly I have a lot of slicers installed.  I use Cura for most of my printing but the other slicers have their particular strengths.  Knowing those strengths, and recognizing when a model will benefit from them, is part of the head-scratching-experience that is 3D printing.  It's all just problem solving.

 

A model is a model.  They either have features or they don't.  For a slicer to be able to add or remove "surfaces" just seems extremely unlikely as that is generally a CAD operation.  You can certainly get different effects when you change settings, and custom blockers may have different settings, but adding a surface where none exists?  I'm skeptical of that if for no other reason than surfaces require a structure to rest on (infill or support).  Considering the similarities between Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, and OrcaSlicer, I would expect all of them to have the feature, but I'm not seeing it.

 

In your first image - that area of your model appears to be something like an aileron pocket and it appears that the slicer used was indeed trying to print it, but the settings (Spiralize??) only allowed for single extrusions across the gap.  That will occur when a surface is at a small angle from horizontal.  So it appears that an attempt is being made to print the surface, but certain settings may be in the way.

If the second image is indeed a normal slice with 2 walls and no infill, then the top surface should have printed if it was there and if "Top Layers" was > 0.

 

 

 

[jateu01 2]

Absolutely agree Cura is doing a far better job with ASA aero than bambu studio. But Cura will not allow me to specify where I want top layers like Bambi studio.