Support enforcers disappear when I slice.
 
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Support enforcers disappear when I slice.  

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roon4660
(@roon4660)
Active Member
Support enforcers disappear when I slice.

I have watched at least three tutorials on this subject many times but I cannot get the same results they do. When I go to slice the support enforcers disappear. I have tried every variation I could with turning supports on and off and going in the advanced print settings to turn automatic supports off and generate supports on. Nothing works for me, They always disappear when I slice. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong? I would be forever grateful.

Posted : 27/08/2020 3:32 pm
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: Support enforcers disappear when I slice.

It's difficult to help, if we have no idea what you are trying to achieve and how you are trying to achieve it. 

can you attach a .3mf file, or some pictures of what you are doing?  

generally speaking support enforcers do work, so we need to see what else is going on, that may be interfering, with what you are doing! 

 

regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Posted : 27/08/2020 3:46 pm
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member
RE: Support enforcers disappear when I slice.

Not without more information.  Could you please save a project where you have placed support enforcers (File > Save Project As) which will save a .3mf file.  Do it before you slice so they don't disappear.   Zip it into an archive and attach it here (needs to be zipped for the forum to accept it).

That way we can see exactly what you are doing and what settings etc you have.

 

Posted : 27/08/2020 3:48 pm
roon4660
(@roon4660)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Support enforcers disappear when I slice.

@neophyl

Celina_kids_litho.3mf I hope this will do the trick. I am trying to stabalize a lithophane to keep it from vibrating as it prints. Thank you for your quick reply.

Posted : 27/08/2020 5:08 pm
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member
RE: Support enforcers disappear when I slice.

@roon4660

Ok, thats simple.  There are no supports produced as there is nothing to support.  Supports are for supporting layers in the existing model ABOVE that may lean out further.  You basically have a pure up and down surface so no matter what support options you choose you wont get any.  Not on the flat rear anyway, and you dont want it on the front as that would ruin your litho.

The normal way to provide more stability is to add a 'brim'  .  Print Settings>skirt and Brim>Brim Width.  That will print a 1 layer thick area around the bottom of your part.  Set it to something between 5-10mm.

I would try that first.  If that doesn't provide enough stability and you find that the top is moving too much you have another option.

Instead of add a support enforcer , right click your model and 'add part'.  That way you are telling the slicer to actually add geometry.  Scale the box to make it thin and then position it on the edge.  Then copy the modifier and add it to the opposite edge.  That will provide alot more support.

I have attached a modified version of your project as an example of what I mean.

Attachment removed
Posted : 27/08/2020 5:24 pm
roon4660
(@roon4660)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Support enforcers disappear when I slice.

@neophyl

I had the same results when the supports had the litho stuck into the middle of them and tried different shapes. I shall send you another so you can see. I use a brim but my lithos are 102 by 156 mm and I think I am getting vibration when they print vertically. I want to see if that improves results. OK I am starting to get the idea now. This looks like a good system for lithos. Thank you. So if I understand correctly because the lithos are so straight and vertical supports don.t work but parts should. I will get back to you if I have any problem. If not thanks very much for your time and experience.

Posted : 27/08/2020 5:42 pm
roon4660
(@roon4660)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Support enforcers disappear when I slice.

Yes it seems to have worked. Thanks for teaching me something.

Posted : 27/08/2020 5:44 pm
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member
RE: Support enforcers disappear when I slice.

@roon4660

The limited shapes of the built in modifiers are not the most suitable for this.  Take a look in the new zip file I've attached.  I quickly knocked up a support shape.  The stl is in the zip archive along with an example of using it on your sample litho.

You add it in a similar manner to the modifier, you right click, and select load part, then choose the support stl file.  I've shaped it with a wedge shaped edge which should make removing it easier.  The closer you put it into the lithograph the thicker the edge join will be.  If you need a shorter version for smaller lithographs you can just use the cut tool to trim some of the bottom off.  

As the lithograph is configured to have 100% infill I also applied some settings to the supports after adding to make them 10% infill.  That way they still support the picture but don't use up much extra material.

Have a look and if you have any questions just ask.

Attachment removed
Posted : 27/08/2020 7:46 pm
roon4660
(@roon4660)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Support enforcers disappear when I slice.

@neophyl

That makes total sense. I am trying what you gave me now and wondering how I am going to cut them off.

In the interim you are such a guru that I would like to ask you another question. I have a ender 3 pro printer with Creality 1.1.8 Marlin and I am not able with Prusa slicer to do a filament change or m600 command. Am I doing something wrong or is it just Marlin?

Posted : 27/08/2020 11:22 pm
roon4660
(@roon4660)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Support enforcers disappear when I slice.

@neophyl

I have to do this tomorrow. I' 75 yo and I had a couple of beers so I need time to think, I also have quite severe brain damage from being hit by lightning 20 years ago and must suffer through that. It is totally bizarre but I try to live with it. Thank you so much for who you are. You are a champ.

Posted : 27/08/2020 11:28 pm
roon4660
(@roon4660)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Support enforcers disappear when I slice.

I just took a look at it and that because I was a buiolder (construction) is the best shape. You can't imagine how helpful you are.

Posted : 27/08/2020 11:32 pm
roon4660
(@roon4660)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Support enforcers disappear when I slice.

I should check my writing before I send. Sorry.

Posted : 27/08/2020 11:34 pm
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member
RE: Support enforcers disappear when I slice.
Posted by: @roon4660

@neophyl

That makes total sense. I am trying what you gave me now and wondering how I am going to cut them off.

In the interim you are such a guru that I would like to ask you another question. I have a ender 3 pro printer with Creality 1.1.8 Marlin and I am not able with Prusa slicer to do a filament change or m600 command. Am I doing something wrong or is it just Marlin?

Not all printers support all Marlin codes.  The prusa's only support a subset too.  I think I saw another post awhile ago from an Ender 3 owner where the M600 didn't work.  If I recall its because the firmware on the printer doesn't support that command.

I know the Ender does support a similar command but I cant recall what it was.  I do remember that they used the Insert Custom gcode function in slicer instead. 

Where you have little icon to insert a colour change in Prusa Slicer, if you right click it you can then select Custom gcode option.  That lets you type in gcode that will get inserted at that layer.  You can insert any gcode you want, so you can also change fan speed, temperatures etc.  If you find out what the pause/change command you need is then you can use that to insert it.

Posted : 28/08/2020 7:28 am
roon4660
(@roon4660)
Active Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: Support enforcers disappear when I slice.

@neophyl

I could turn on M600 if I could get arduino to cooperate but it gives me an error message that I have not found the solution to. I think your method is the way to go. My board in my ender3 pro is only 8 bit and I don't want problems over taxing it. Thank you so much again for your expertise. I am impressed.

Posted : 28/08/2020 7:58 pm
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