Problem:
Slender (i.e. high ratio of height to diameter) support column has very little lateral integrity. If you have a tall print, a constant section support column becomes less stable and more flexible the higher you go, and the print head will start to push it around as it prints on to it.
Possible solutions:
1. Ideal dream solution - taper the support column (or structure) towards the top (embraced by engineers the world over).
2. less ideal - just the ability to add reinforcement (in the form of additional straight columns) around the basic columns that extend to say half way up the column (approximate a taper).
Re: support reinforcement
This is an easy one.....
Set your support up similar to this:
Using one layer in say 10 with the angle at 90 degrees to the others will make your support a lot more stable.
Set your support up similar to this:
Doug Kightley
Volunteer at the National Tramway Museum http://www.tramway.co.uk
Railway modeller and webmaster at http://www.talkingtgauge.net
Volunteer at the National Tramway Museum http://www.tramway.co.uk
Railway modeller and webmaster at http://www.talkingtgauge.net
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CompoundCarl
- Posts: 2005
- Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2015 7:23 am
Re: support reinforcement
I also like to use the "extra inflation distance" settings which makes all the supports wider and gives them a larger base. That helps a lot for tall objects.
Re: support reinforcement
Version 4.0 added several features that can also help to stabilize tall support structures. Many of these are shown towards the middle of the page below:
https://www.simplify3d.com/software/rel ... ion-4-0-0/
So the changes you would want to make are:
1) Go to the Supports tab and change the number of support base layers to 1 or 2. That will print several solid layers at the bottom of the supports, which helps keep them stable.
2) You can add a brim to the model which will now wrap around the edges of the support structures. That's a great way to add even more stability if you are having problems with very tall supports falling over.
3) You can also use dkightley's suggestion above to change the support infill angles. By default the only angle that is used is 0 degrees, but you could use two angles of 0 and 90 degrees, which will create a grid pattern for the support structures. That can add a lot more structural integrity as well!
https://www.simplify3d.com/software/rel ... ion-4-0-0/
So the changes you would want to make are:
1) Go to the Supports tab and change the number of support base layers to 1 or 2. That will print several solid layers at the bottom of the supports, which helps keep them stable.
2) You can add a brim to the model which will now wrap around the edges of the support structures. That's a great way to add even more stability if you are having problems with very tall supports falling over.
3) You can also use dkightley's suggestion above to change the support infill angles. By default the only angle that is used is 0 degrees, but you could use two angles of 0 and 90 degrees, which will create a grid pattern for the support structures. That can add a lot more structural integrity as well!
