3D Printing Forum

Hello Forum,

I am new to 3D printing but not CNC Mills or CNC routers. I have a new Sovol SV03 that seems to be printing well with PLA.
I want to print a model that does not sit flat on the build bed. I have tried two different set ups in Cura and each time the supports
ruin the bottom of the print. First try I used Tree supports. Second try I used grid supports, not shown. I tried one time to print
in a vertical and that was a disaster. upper 1/3rd was distorted despite having supports.

I have gone over DrVax's videos but he doesn't show the type of challenge I am facing. A flat shallow part that has an small angle
overhang above the build surface. I have set Cara to "Expert" mode so I have access to all the parameter settings. I would like a smooth
bottom surface with the print lines being concentric, not in alternating layers of concentric lines and then perpendicular lines.

Any positive, helpful suggestions will be appreciated.

I am looking at your photos and believe you have more problems than the support.
Is the model you are printing accessible to all

Yes, here it is as an STL from SolidWorks. That's the software I used to draw the part.

If there is an issue with the STL, that would be good to know too!

This is my 3rd attempt at this part. Top surface is acceptable "B-" and the bottom where the supports of a different design is terrible.
The print line would be acceptable but for the supports residuals left behind after I carefully removed them. (not shown) I have tried
sanding the bottom and that just causes more problems of removing some of the print lines.

Let's start with some basics.

Have you checked the esteps of the extruder? And then the extrusion multiplier?

Superb tutorial here

https://mattshub.com/blogs/blog/extruder-calibration

I am looking at your models and it appears that you have not removed the Supports from Dec 16, 2020 post
I sliced with Prusa slicer 2.3.0 beta 4 and came out with this .2 mm layer height.

Models have not been cleaned I only removed the Supports.
The continuous arc on the model is making it difficult to slice without the stair step artifacting on top an bottom surfaces.
Still kind of rough trying again using .12mm layer height. Now to Print this one.
What is this Model purpose.


Prusaslicer video here

Thanks for taking a look at this and the calibration link. Very informative. I was using the originally, factory set layer height of .2 but like you say, that is too course for this model. I also need to go back and double check how SolidWorks was saving the model as a STL? It may be set at the lowest quality? I just found a good article on this Option in SolidWorks. I would like to get a support that does not completely cover up the bottom of the part. I was playing with some in Cura in the support options. Cismontguy

I was just looking at the SolidWorks file. My model is drawn in inches. I have to scale it, in Cura to mm. I wonder if this has any effect on the steps (surface finish)? I created a similar but simpler, smaller model to try so I do not have to wait 2.5 hours to get a print.

Good question....I know Cura has a plug in called "barbarian units" for Imperial Maybe that would help?

Just a few minutes ago I started another Print this time I leaned the Model from a standing vertical position at a 30 degree angle.
I am so sure this will work that I am posting the Prusaslicer 3MF file.

I will be anxious to see how it turns out? I will post my test sample pieces as soon as I get a change this PM. CismontGuy

LePaul wrote: ↑December 17th, 2020, 1:51 pm Good question....I know Cura has a plug in called "barbarian units" for Imperial Maybe that would help?

Will try "barbarian units" It works, I have always scaled by 2540 percent.

In Prusaslicer the metric to imperial is automatically asked upon loading a model that appears to in imperial units..
Also tested sliced with Cura 4.8.0 using the same tilt and the estimated print time was 1 hour 37 minutes.
With Skirt and Raft

Have not tried this but did find it for others if they are so incline? Mentioned by LePaul above. I never found a Toolbox heading or sub heading?

"There is a third party plugin in Cura which automatically scales all models you load. It's (quite aptly) called the Barbarian Units plugin.

Just install it via the menu: Toolbox > Browse Packages > Barbarian Units"

CismontGuy wrote: ↑December 17th, 2020, 2:41 pm Have not tried this but did find it for others if they are so incline? Mentioned by LePaul above. I never found a Toolbox heading or sub heading?

"There is a third party plugin in Cura which automatically scales all models you load. It's (quite aptly) called the Barbarian Units plugin.

Just install it via the menu: Toolbox > Browse Packages > Barbarian Units"

I have installed this just a few minutes ago An I have to select Extensions > Barbarian Unit > Convert to Metric

Model finished Printing with near perfect results.
My suggestion is to use your slicer stand the model at an angle of around 30 degrees.
Unless you would like to try Prusaslicer configured for your Printer.

Thanks for the help. I ran 6 tests today with a smaller sectional of my part and all the ones done in a horizontal to the build were bad.
Even used the Roof and Floor setting. Was better. After you suggested it, I tried the same test section at 30 degrees it it came out the best. See pictures for reference. All are showing the underside of the part that I have to have smooth/finished Cismontguy