Variable infill pattern question

[Ferreira]

Hello folks, I've been using cura+repetier+marlin with great results, however now I have to print complex models that require features that cura doenst have.

Problem: I have to print some of my models with NO infil for cost concerns, but they have various overhanging top sections near the middle of the model that will be printed in the void if no infill.

There are at least 3 solutions to this:

1) Internal support for internal overhangs creation: This would be AMAZING, but it seems NO SLICER support this. Im not talking about external support, but support inside the model for top surfaces that would be printed in the void otherwise.

2) Slice the model into multiple pieces (not optimal because visible seams and only works for perfectly flat top surfaces)

3) variable infil with higher density near the top areas.

To my knowledge, S3D might do solution 3, but since THERE'S NO DEMO, I have to bother you guys with detailed explanations about this feature.

Can S3d fill my model like this: 3% sparse infill in the bottom section + 15% sparse near the middle+ 0% in the upper part?

If so, does it create solid tops in the interface between the infil regions?

Thanks in advance!

[dkightley]

Have a look at this tutorial. It describes how to do exactly what you want to do - have different settings for different sections of your print:
https://www.simplify3d.com/support/tuto ... f-a-model/

And for your question...the top and bottom layer of each section will obey the parameters for that section. Adjust the appropriate top/bottom layer numbers to zero to get rid of the solid layers...

[Ferreira]

Thanks and I'll check that out.

Since we are at it, can S3D create internal supports like in my solution 1) above?

[armedneutrality]

So, I actually came to the forum _after_ reading that tutorial, which is a good tutorial, but it only addresses segmentation in the _vertical_ direction.

My sincerest hope is that this is a totally obvious boneheaded question, but for some reason I can't seem to figure out how one would segment instead along one of the _horizontal_ axes (and no, I don't think turning the part on its side would be a good idea).

Is there a way to do this that I've just somehow missed?

[JoeJ]

Yeah, you just need to break up the model into separate STL files. For example, if you wanted to print the right half with different settings than the left, you would need to split the model in half so that you have 2 STL files. Now you can create 2 processes, one for each STL. It's pretty similar to the above tutorial, except you use the "Select Models" button so that each process applies to only one of the STL files, instead of using the start/stop printing at height features (which is only used if all processes apply to the same models).

[armedneutrality]

Okay, yeah, that seems to work, thanks. (Albeit requiring one to re-draw the part, since as far as I can tell, STL files can't really be modified in any meaningful way.)

However, once you've got your separated STL 'models' and their associated 'processes', it really is just two independent parts being printed right next to each other, and while they do appear to stick relatively well, I suspect it would be a lot stronger if each layer was routed with a unified path...

I'm beginning to understand why people in general have so much trouble trying to get the machines to do what they want. I was (wisely) advised to skip the free solutions entirely and go directly to this program (which admittedly seems to do a decent job of many simple tasks), but even this program has me threatening to write my own tool pathing algorithm, after only three evenings. Oh, well...

[JoeJ]

They aren't just printed next to each other, they will be perfectly joined together. You can even adjust the amount of "joining" using the horizontal size compensation (i.e. inflate the inner object some to make sure it overlaps really well with the outer). I've done this many times and it works very well.

This also means that you could change any setting you want for these different sections - layer height, infill %, retraction, speeds, temps, etc. It's really useful. You wouldn't be able to do this if you just wanted to have a "unified path" as you say

[Rebekah_harper]

just thought I'd share this little trinket.

for those of us using windows 10, may have noticed 3D builder program.

initially I thought it was pointless but turns out, not so.

if you need to break up a .STL file this will be your saviour. I used it to break up a large part in pieces so I could fit it into my build platform. it's spot on. and worth looking into.