Feature request: Sharpie release agent for full density supports

[jmding8]

Would it be possible to extend the plugin to support using the Sharpie as a release agent for support structures?

Check out this video, which shows how you can use Sharpie as a release agent to enable printing over 100% density support structures with zero Z-gap, and still have the support structure break away from the part easily. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOcetpHhTU&ab_channel=ChristianGalles

I've tried it with PLA and ABS and it works amazingly well. The one major downside is either needing to apply the Sharpie manually, or being stuck using a non-zero Z-gap, since none of the open slicer engines support zero-thickness layers. Your system would be perfect for an application like this!

[Sakati84]

Very first test print

[jmding8]

amazing!

[Sakati84]

Some other results. This print has no gap between the print and the support interface and was easy to remove.

[jmding8]

looks like the automated system works really well! This is all using the current plugin code? Next step: get this in the hands of a prominent influencer to popularize the technique and the use of the plugin?

[Sakati84]

@jmding8 i tried to pitch it to makers muse and make anything some weeks ago but got no reply.

[Sakati84]

@jmding8 the Support Mode isn‘t on GitHub yet. I want to change some stuff before I upload it

[ssilverm]

Going to be printing this and showing it off at Maker Faire Orlando!

[Sakati84]

@ssilverm thats really cool. Would be nice if you could post some pictures.

[jmding8]

I'll poke Tom and Stefan, I'm sure one of them will jump on it

[Sakati84]

I made a branch for this feature. It´s still very much WIP. I only tested it for supporting horizontal overhangs right now. In the branch you have an updated plugin. In the settings panel you can switch the mode to "support removal". I also suggest you use the new support removal profile a uploaded to the software folder. The new TestModels folder contains my test model from before. If you want to do your own profile you should increase the wall & top speed to a normal/fast level (normally they should be reduced for the colorization profile).

[dr3y]

but what if i want to print support and also a multicolor model at the same time?

Great addon idea btw

[Sakati84]

I don't think this would work very well. One would probably destroy parts of the model when removing the support because of the reduced layer adhesion in the Colorado parts

[dr3y]

well currently i am using a colored model with uncolored supports and it is extremely hard to remove them. i think this would at least make my life easier if the supports were colored also and therefore had a weaker layer adhesion, just like the model. Combined with other support weakening options like decreased flow rate and fill density i could actually print colored protein models quite well :)

I think the only change needed is to remove or ";TYPE:SUPPORT-INTERFACE"

Edit: @ssilverm feel free to download my branch which includes this change (and I'm printing a model with colorized support right now!) https://github.com/dr3y/3DPrintColorizer/tree/colorize-support-interface

[jmding8]

Guessing that your profile isn't optimized for fully dense supports? support z distance = 0.0mm enable support interface = true support interface density = 90% to 100%

If that doesn't fix it, use the plugin referenced in this conversation to export your settings. Paste them here, and I can take a look

[jmding8]

Apologies, I meant to paste this link, but I guess I forgot

https://community.ultimaker.com/topic/35866-include-cura-settings-as-comment-in-gcode-file/

[Sakati84]

Also, I noticed that there is a z-axis hop every time it moves over the support material even though z-hop is disabled in cura..

That is one of the WIP things in this branch ;-)

[Sakati84]

Can you post your g-code? What modifications did you make?

[Dudedud]

Hello Hello! I'm wondering if this project is still being worked on. If so, have there been any updates to this request?