[ADDED] Solid Interface Layer for Support
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2014 1:36 pm
I thought I saw this request on a previous post but I can't find it so I am submitting this request here...
I would ask for the ability to specify a SOLID interface layer for automatically generated support material. Right now, the only way to get this would be to create support with 100% fill. My problem is that when I have a section that requires support you can "see" the pattern (or defects) on the primary part once separated. If I use one angle (i.e. 0 degrees) for support I get a problem only "with the grain" of the support structure. If I try adding angles (i.e. 90%) then the top layer of the support is still only one layer thick with the same gaps and the problem is just now rotated 90 degrees.
If I could specify an interface layer as I can in a raft, then the support can be very sparse and then create a "solid" surface to support my printing. We would have to be able to specify how many layers this interface layer should be so we can specify a minimal fill percentage dependent only on strength required while specifying enough top layers for the support to allow for the surface to be smooth.
This would make the support difficult to remove if you are just trying to peel or cut it away. However, I am using a dual extruder and am using HIPS as my support material. I then dissolve the HIPS to leave behind the other material (usually ABS). Thus, removing the material is not mechanical and ONLY affects the support structure. And while I could do this today by specifying a 100% support structure, this wastes A LOT of material, takes much longer to dissolve, and wastes most of the solvent!
To get around this, I am now creating a body in my modeling software that is a solid with my part "cut" out. This now creates a secondary body that I can import and align as a dual extrusion. Now I can specify infill, number of bottom (set to 0) and number of top layers for the second body being used as support. This mostly works but is a LOT of extra work with several downsides. For example, I now have to set up multiple process (one for each body) that HAVE to print continuously - not sequentially. This means I can never print more than one part (comprised of both the part and support) sequentially on the platter as I can if the software generated the support structure.
Another HUGE downside is that I want, in most cases, the printing layer to be in direct contact with the support interface layer vertically, but I would like to specify a horizontal gap (as we can now in supports)to prevent any infiltration of the support material between my layers of my primary part. When I produce my own support structure in the above manner (by subtracting one solid from another), I get a "perfect" fit that leaves NO horizontal gap. And, while you could scale up only the X & Y dimensions in order to create this gap, you are then subject to more alignment complexities. Just having Simplify do this at slice time is the best approach.
Sorry to make this so long, just trying to fully explain the request!
I would ask for the ability to specify a SOLID interface layer for automatically generated support material. Right now, the only way to get this would be to create support with 100% fill. My problem is that when I have a section that requires support you can "see" the pattern (or defects) on the primary part once separated. If I use one angle (i.e. 0 degrees) for support I get a problem only "with the grain" of the support structure. If I try adding angles (i.e. 90%) then the top layer of the support is still only one layer thick with the same gaps and the problem is just now rotated 90 degrees.
If I could specify an interface layer as I can in a raft, then the support can be very sparse and then create a "solid" surface to support my printing. We would have to be able to specify how many layers this interface layer should be so we can specify a minimal fill percentage dependent only on strength required while specifying enough top layers for the support to allow for the surface to be smooth.
This would make the support difficult to remove if you are just trying to peel or cut it away. However, I am using a dual extruder and am using HIPS as my support material. I then dissolve the HIPS to leave behind the other material (usually ABS). Thus, removing the material is not mechanical and ONLY affects the support structure. And while I could do this today by specifying a 100% support structure, this wastes A LOT of material, takes much longer to dissolve, and wastes most of the solvent!
To get around this, I am now creating a body in my modeling software that is a solid with my part "cut" out. This now creates a secondary body that I can import and align as a dual extrusion. Now I can specify infill, number of bottom (set to 0) and number of top layers for the second body being used as support. This mostly works but is a LOT of extra work with several downsides. For example, I now have to set up multiple process (one for each body) that HAVE to print continuously - not sequentially. This means I can never print more than one part (comprised of both the part and support) sequentially on the platter as I can if the software generated the support structure.
Another HUGE downside is that I want, in most cases, the printing layer to be in direct contact with the support interface layer vertically, but I would like to specify a horizontal gap (as we can now in supports)to prevent any infiltration of the support material between my layers of my primary part. When I produce my own support structure in the above manner (by subtracting one solid from another), I get a "perfect" fit that leaves NO horizontal gap. And, while you could scale up only the X & Y dimensions in order to create this gap, you are then subject to more alignment complexities. Just having Simplify do this at slice time is the best approach.
Sorry to make this so long, just trying to fully explain the request!