First Prints
These first two prints were meant for testing purposes. First I wanted to ensure the gcode being written by the extruder turtle API was working (since I do not have the recommended printer). I had to keep tweaking the temperatures, starting z coordinates, and extrusion rates. After many prints of a square I finally got the settings dialed in. I then began printing my first vase (figure 1), it is simple but I wanted to ensure everything was functioning correctly, and test free standing lines. After I realized it could do free standing lines, I was curious how far I could bridge lines before print failure. So, I designed the second vase to test that out (figure 2). I would print, then twist it, print again, then twist it. I continued this until it failed. Unfortunately I never found the limit, ran out of time.
These shapes cannot be generated by a traditional slicer because it doesn’t really have any boundary representations (BREP). Each layer created by the extruder turtle is just considered a bunch of lines. So, I don’t think the slicer can decipher the shape properly because of its lack of boundaries. Also, the slicer will want to place supports all over the place due to its free standing lines.
Second Print
After the first couple prints I had an idea of what my printer could do, so I wanted to create my free standing lines print. I had an idea of creating a DNA looking structure, placing the free standing lines in the middle. After it was designed I began printing, I quickly realized the tool path was messing things up. Originally the printer was going upwards level by level printing the left and right ends one at a time then bridging every 5 levels. Each time the tool tip changed sides it would drag the the whole layer with it.
To fix my layering problem I needed to stiffen each outside support before bridging them together. I ended up using the TRAvel Slicer concept to print one side with 10 layers at a time, then moving to the opposing side. Once each side was on the same level it would bridge both together. This pattern continued all the way up the print. Preventing the tool tip from going back and forth each level helped the overall print.
This print obviously could not have been done by cura, as cura could only go one level at a time. I am curious if I could use the TRAvel Slicer to make this print out easier.
Third Print
For the last print I wanted to explore non-planar movements. I came up with a few different ideas, but stacking waves on top of each other sounded neat. That is exactly what I did. Originally, I had made a pattern of increasing and decreasing amplitude over periods of layers. After my first print with that I realized the tool tip would smash into previous layers during the negative part of the sine wave. With no ideas to space them all out evenly, I chose to just continually increase amplitude as the layers climbed. This helped resolve the overall spacing and I think it looks a little cooler. The simpler the better.
This print was definitely the toughest. Getting the z layer height correct was more challenging than expected. I first increased the z layer height too buch between layers, this caused the tip to extrude way too far above the surface. Then I tried placing too many waves within the radius, this made the tip push on each wave causing a weird twist. The z layer increment was better this time but not dialed in. The last mistake was a hot nozzle which was burning weird places around the vase. Next was the amplitude was too high causing the carriage to smash into it, leaving a jumbled mess at the top. After all these mistakes I finally figured it out.
Summary
Overall this was a really fun project. It really makes you think of tool paths and solutions to odd problems. Also makes you appreciate the slicer and all of the instructions it creates.
Hey Justin ,
I really love your second print and I am so amazed you were able to successfully print that and it also looks so sturdy and unique. Do you have any advice on printing figures like that without running into print failures?
Thanks,
Ian
Ian,
Thank you for the compliment. My second print wasn’t actually as sturdy as I would’ve liked it to be. I was also very surprised I was able to print it, genuinely did not think it was going to work. A couple things I learned while printing it was use a lower temperature, since the rectangles on the side were so small it would melt the lower layers quite often. Lastly, think about where the tool path is going and how it will impact the overall structure. Like for this project I had to bridge after 10 layers. Anyways, thank you for you’re comment!
Justin
Hey Justin,
All of your prints look great, especially the first and second ones! I like the unique take on a spiral shape for your first print, and it looked even better in person. Your second print was probably my favorite. I like how it has an architectural aesthetic to it. I tried to do something similar, but I had similar issues connecting two pillars with free-standing-filaments. Your solution looks like it turned out great though. I’ll have to look into TRAVel slicing. Great prints!
Jyrus,
Thank you for your comment! I was actually not that impressed with how the first couple turned out, I was hoping to be a lot more creative. Sadly, it didn’t work out. I was very proud of my second print though, being able to use that TRAVel slicer concept saved me for sure. If you have a chance you should take a look at it, very neat idea. Anyways, thank you for the comment I appreciate it.
Justin
Hi Justin, all three of your final prints are cool and interesting to look at. I especially think it’s neat how well your freestanding lines hold up in the second print. The final look of your last print is very nice to look at as well, with the addition of the lines at particular intervals. Overall I can tell you put a lot of effort into making these and making sure they printed how you envisioned!
Luka,
Thank you for looking at my post. I was really happy with how my free standing lines print came out. I did not think I was going to pull it off. The TRAVel print technique really helped out though. My third print was the hardest but I am glad the intervals of lines worked out. I wish I would have branched out and done some adventurous patterns like your prints. Anyways, thank you for the comment I appreciate it.
Justin