Simplify3D User Forum

I've been trying the print this gear where the center is touching the build plate on the first layer (no problems here) but the outside edge/teeth are actually 0.2mm in the air and requires support. Have a look at the section view that I have attached.

It will create support structure for the center but not for the teeth. Even if I create manual support and proceed to prepare to print it just removes the support that I created. It seems that S3D can't create thin support structure. I'm print with a 0.2mm layer height and I have tried 0.1 but it refuses to create support structure.

Anyone else had this problem or knows how I can address the issue.

You could try this. Scale up the model to something ridiculous like 10 times scale. Than add support, chances are since this new model the overhang will be much larger and therefore the supports can be added in. One the supports look good, scale it back to 1, and the supports will still be where they were for the larger model.

Your solution looked promising but it didn't work. When I proceed with prepare to print it just removes it again. I've emailed support so hopefully they can give me a solution but it's very strange since other slicers don't have a problem with this.

you need to reduce your support structure resolution. change it to maybe 1.5-2mm then bump up the inflation distance maybe to 1mm.

jimc wrote:you need to reduce your support structure resolution. change it to maybe 1.5-2mm then bump up the inflation distance maybe to 1mm.

Thanks for you input. I tried it but it also didn't work. It is as if it doesn't recognize that the teeth are 0.2mm in the air. I have to scale up the gear 3 times larger than the original size until it recognizes the overhang.

Found the solution.

You need to increase the z-offset from 0 to at least 0.5mm for it to create the support.