More Complete Support

[rklosinski]

I plan to use my Flashforge Creator Pro with a PVA or HIP support material. How do I get a more complete support framework similar to how a Stratasys printer does with its support? I will be printing objects with lots of curves, and using the existing support always leaves the underside curved features looking crappy.

[dsegel]

Try setting your Dense Infill Percentage to 100 and make sure to specify 2 or 3 Dense Support Layers. That will make the top surface of the support solid, which should help with the surface of the supported part.

[JoeJ]

Setting the dense infill percentage to 100% might be a little high. I haven't noticed any difference from using 80% or 100%. Both support the upper surface just fine. So if you want to save some plastic (since HIPS can be expensive!), then I would try something a little lower like 70-80%.

[rklosinski]

Thnaks. Ill try and report back. My first try will be with ABS and PVA. I have a uprint and flashforge and am trying to make the flashforge print as nice as the uprint. Im starting to print test prints on each to see how the layers stack up. I have a parts with a hole near an outside edge. The uprint will fill the material more completed around the hole than the flashforge...which im sure is a print setting somewhere.

[rklosinski]

Well... I what I was trying to fix with using a better support did not get fixed. While the support was good, the print was bad. I think I have another problem. See pic

[SphereNoob]

Well... I what I was trying to fix with using a better support did not get fixed. While the support was good, the print was bad. I think I have another problem. See pic

Sphere's a generally difficult to print because of the curvature. Try slowing down your print speed and using a cooling fan (PLA), but even then it's not an easy print

[rklosinski]

I set the separation from the part to 0, used PVA as a support (removing HIPS is messy) and got good results. Even the uprint I have has problems with the model. Now I have problems with the top (see pic). The plastic barley touches and it can nearly be pushed in.

[dkightley]

This issue has been discussed a few times recently.

Here's a link to one of the threads: http://forum.simplify3d.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2509

Have a browse and you'll find more....

[rklosinski]

That post is not exactly applicable. This model is hollow inside (hollow round ball), so in-fill does not apply. I printed the same on a uPrint and it came perfect.

[rklosinski]

As I was typing the last response I decided to check out the uprint version of the print. It seemed very strong...so I crushed it open only to find a support structure inside! I guess I'll need to add this support manually since the Simplfy 3D did not generate support.