I just received my printer on Monday and I love this thing I’m very new to 3D Printing, been reading guides, watching videos ,etc. And I’m proficient with Blender or 3D modeling, so I thought it would be time to start!
I really LOVE this printer, I have a friend that is going to also upgrade (he has a Mk3) and after seeing how the X1 was so much easier to use and plug and play (unless you spent a go amount of time customizing and improving it DYI).
That being said, I managed to really print a lot of things already, from modeling them in Blender, to printing them. And I played a lot with the settings etc. And I believe I got most of it.
My question is about that PLA Support Material and how to effectively use it.
In Bambulab I can see the list of filaments from my AMS (let’s say 1-PLA Green, and 2-PLA Support) but I could not find any way to use that PLA Support in my print and all my support beams are using the PLA Green too… I want to use the Support for the last layer on top of the support beam (before the actual piece) but cannot find how. I tried to look for documentation or videos and I am not successful.
It’s on the Support page under Filament for Supports. You can choose to use support material for the entire support structure or only the interface layer.
This is very helpful. Thanks for pointing it out. I just got a printer and haven’t taken the time to properly learn about all of the different options.
As an additional note, you will probably only want to use the support filament for the interface layers only. Using support filament on a complex model for the support + the interface layers will result in an extremely long print. Even using it for just the interface layer will increase print time. It does produce a nicer looking part, but I’m not sure it is an exact trade off in time to manually remove stubborn support structures made from the same material as the print itself.
I have the support material loaded and basic PLA also loaded. The P1S can identify the support material and the basic PLA in the filament drop down but the support material is not in the “support” drop down. It’s only option is “Default” and the basic PLA filament. the support material is not an option after I click “Enable Support”. How do I get it to use the support material as a support?
I figured part of that out. Near the top of the section where it says “filament” there’s a plus and minus sign. Click the plus and it will let you chose which spool to use (a1, a2, etc). Once that is added you will have more options in the support drop down.
Just as an FYI, you can use PLA as support filament for PETG, and PETG as support for PLA. The two filaments will not bond well to each other and works great for support.
I’m getting weak layer adhesion when using supports. The layers come apart quite easily. I guess the print is cooling too much. Anyone got any suggestions - shoul I heat the chamber or increase print temp or both?
are you using support material as the interface or as the whole support?
Only use support material as an interface. It will not create a strong enough layer to act as a support itself, and it’s too expensive to use that way. You can also use PETG as an interface as well.
Would be down to the filament or it’s profile. I’d guess you’re either selecting Bambu filament or Generic/Other manufacturer. If using the bambu flament shouldn’t need to change anything, their profiles are really good. I’ve also not had issue with generic, but you could change the temp settings or run a temp tower to see.
Wet filament will show in numerous ways. Zits on the print, layers not adhering properly, and so on. I hope I’m understanding correctly.
Thanks @johnfcooley not sure that’s the issue. The filament is almost new and is kept in the AMS so should be dry enough. The only layers affected are those supported by the support filament. The others are strong enough. Not getting any other print issues like zits.
The models come apart cross the affected layers when I was removing it from the print bed/support. This has happened with a few different filaments.
Hello. I was wondering if you could tell me what it means if “SupPLA” is not an option in the drop down? All I see is PLA and Default.
Thank you for your time.
Your weak layer adhesion is caused by not enough flushing between the support filament and the regular model. I’ve had this happen many times, these are dissimilar plastics that do not stick together. If even a little bit of the support plastic is mixed into the model plastic layers will delaminate. Up your flushing.
Also, you didn’t ask about this, but make sure you set your Z interface distance to zero. When you are using support material, the whole reason is to have a clean under side and so there should be no space between the layers.
I have the supprt a while and now did a new print with it, It really stucks on the printed oblect. Its difficult to remove it. The Support structure is easy to remove, but the black layer is a mess. Of course, the surface of the object is awesome if finally remove.
Any suggestions how to easy remove it from the print?
I’m very new to 3D Printing, been reading guides, watching videos ,etc. And I’m proficient with Blender or 3D modeling, so I thought it would be time to start!