MakerGear Forum

Hello to all,
I'm trying to print the part of the picture below.
Actually, I printed one version, but the supports were not enough to give me a good quality part... on the top layers the part is good, but the layers that were prited over supports... they're a mess! I've configured support in two angles 45°/90° at 4mm, that gave me a structure like the shown in the pictures... but it wasn't enough. Any suggestion about how to print this part?

Thanks a lot!

You can try adding Dense supports but honestly some parts (like that one) are not just designed with 3D printing in mind.

It looks like a filament spool or a reel... I would have designed it with flat sides and split it in half to print so it prints flat.

For example I did a fly reel that has a similar spool but it's printed in two pieces (seen here) and then joined afterward.

Edit- If you really need it curved like that .... print it flat and then heat it up after and bend the arms outward.

I'll try that way then.
Thinking in printing it in two parts will make it a lot more easier.
The curved sides are necessary, anyway, I might try to curve them after, as you suggested too.

Thanks a lot Sthone!

If the sidewalls can be flat on the outside and curved only on the inner face, then printing in halves would be no problem. I would be inclined to make one side with the flange only and the other half with the entire height of the spool. That would make designing the glue joint and any alignment features easier.

Suggestion for curving the sides. Create a negative mold - in this case it looks like a basic half sphere. Place the model on it and then heat with heat gun - arms should curve down over the mold.

Bratag wrote:Suggestion for curving the sides. Create a negative mold - in this case it looks like a basic half sphere. Place the model on it and then heat with heat gun - arms should curve down over the mold.

I love that idea. If you could find a correct size ceramic or metal bowl, it would withstand the heat and be durable. I have a set of metal mixing bowls that came in a 3-pack and were inexpensive.

The mold sugestion is great. I might apply it soon.

About the part, I actually printed it in two half with a guide in one of them... and it's perfect. The sides are not curved anymore... but I'll try to do the mold thing.
Thanks a lot for the suggestions!