Reify3D Forum

Here it is supported. I just emailed you the file.

Thanks Monger for showing your support layout.
I am understanding more and more on creating supports for printed models.

I am fairly new to casting and was wondering, where would you put the sprue for casting this type of model??

What casting method are you planning to use? Vacuum or centrifugal?

This one can be a little tough. It depends on how solid the model is. Based on the images you posted, you probably will need multiple feeds into the item. I think the two circular rings are good candidates for primary feed points.

A video tutorial can be ideal for some intricate Ring. Thank you for the PDF tutorials Though.

It might be beneficial, at least it is to me, to explain the purpose and how supports for the Solus DLP Printer differ from traditional FDM 3D Printer. To me the purpose isn't as clear or doing the same thing as it would with FDM.

With an FDM printer supports are meant to hold, prevent drooping, sagging overhang areas or areas that tend to be greater than 45 degrees. That can vary depending on the printer, for example on my FDM I usually don't have to do supports until about 60 degrees before it can affect or cause issues on my print visibly.

With the Solus, an object is printed upside down a layer at a time. There technically isn't an overhang in the traditional FDM sense... so what is the supports purpose? I assume it is to help hold the object to the build plate, also to provide stability while printing (because of gravity hang). Maybe because the resin isn't fully cured, it might be weaker so it provides stability to shapes and forms.

Is that about correct or are there other reasons and things to consider when doing the support?

You print in layers with FDM and DLP printers. Therefore, layers that don't have anything underneath need to be supported. That is what we call an overhang, but you're probably right that it should be called something else. I have heard those areas being called "islands" because they pop-up as islands if you use the slice preview tool.

Another type of area that needs to be supported is a large horizontal slice that has nothing underneath. With FDM those areas can be printed using bridging, with DLP you would need lots of supports underneath. That is why it's beneficial, in most cases, to tilt the model slightly, to lessen the need to support those areas. If you don't support those areas, those layers can sag also and cause failed prints.

The difference between FDM and DLP is that with FDM even some angled surfaces need supports because you have to "trace" the layers and fill them. With DLP, you print the entire layer at once, therefore angled surfaces don't need to be supported.

That is good to know, that helps a lot in understanding what the supports are doing so that if I wanted to manually or adjust automatic supports, the things I should be paying attention too.

That does bring up a question though. Currently, I haven't really been fussing with orientation mostly making sure things are printing upright to take advantage of the small build space by putting as much as I can within it.



Although that is efficient for printing, it may not be the best solution in terms of supports and also detail. You mentioned tilting the model slightly, which will lessen the supports... would that impact the print detail for detailed prints, like gaming miniatures meant to be masters? What would be a good 'general' degree to tilt a model for less supports? For example with 'traditional supports' (ie: FDM) tilting at least 45 degrees meant less supports for angles.

It depends on the model. Sometimes tilting can introduce more areas that needs supports, so it's better not to. Every model is different. With the proto resin, you can set the auto support tips to 0.1 and the density to 4 or 5 and it will do a pretty good job at supporting it. Areas that it missed you can add more 0.1mm supports. Or remove the extra ones for example.

Also at extreme angles, the auto supports may not know that they need to support the model's weight and only put a few supports underneath, and that will surely fail.