#Using PLA/PETG for supports... could you print a "base" template to use?

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

slate mica
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Hear me out. This is all theoretical right now... but lets say you wanted to print something in 1 piece, but it involves having HUGE amounts of overhang. Lets say it's like, a plate or a sign or something. Say you want to print in PETG, and you want to use PLA as supports. Instead of autogenerating supports or making supports for a thing like this... could you print like a base template? And then pause it when it gets to be before it starts bridging, put the PLA base template on, and then it prints on the base template? Would that work? Is there any videos or something of someone doing this?

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civic kindleBOT
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AI Help

One possible solution for printing objects with large overhangs is to utilize breakaway or dissolvable support materials like PVA. However, if you are set on using PLA as support, your proposed method could potentially work. This technique is often referred to as “manual support insertion” and can be effective in certain situations. You would need to ensure proper adhesion between the base template and the main print and be cautious during the manual placement process to avoid disrupting the print. While videos demonstrating this specific method may not be common, you may find similar techniques being used in the 3D printing community. It would be recommended to experiment with smaller test prints first to refine your process before attempting larger models.

WARNING: This response is AI generated and may contain errors.
slate mica
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manual support insertion sounds sus, AI help

dark quartz
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Aboslutely

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This is more commonly done with metal inserts like nuts, bolts, washer, etc. You pause the print and drop them into a predefined area, and continue printing to encase them.

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As long as dimensions are snug and everything is calculated out before hand, it's not a bad idea at all

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I'm pretty sure most slicers support pausing on specific layers for cases just like these

slate mica
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Interesting. And so when it prints, it would probably print as a bridge, right? But it'll just go nicely on the PLA instead of being a weird bridging chaos?

slate mica
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I've done the pause and insert for washers and bolts and magnets n things, but since they're so small of an area compared to how big of an area this would be, I wasn't sure if it would turn out well enough!

dark quartz
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As long as it's sturdy and stable it'll be great; Plastic is super light and once you get a foundation that can fuse into the original piece, itll be even stronger

slate mica
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Amazing! Seems like something I'm going to try and experiment with soon!