Skip to main content

Should You Print Directly On the Build Plate?

In the world of resin 3D printing, there is an ongoing debate about whether it is better to print directly on the build plate or use supports. This topic recently sparked a lively discussion in our Facebook group and subreddit, with members sharing their experiences, preferences, and concerns. In this article, we will delve into the different perspectives presented in the conversation and explore the pros and cons of printing directly on the build plate. 


▲ Sometimes people need to print stuff directly on the build plate for various reason. Credit.


The Importance of Model Orientation:

    One key point is that, the ideal orientation for printing a model is not always the one allowed by printing flat on the bed. Depending on the complexity and geometry of the model, it may be more efficient to use supports to achieve the desired outcome. This is particularly true when dealing with intricate designs or models with overhangs.


▲ Proper orientation and good supports can print full plate of models without problem. Credit.


Challenges and Potential Issues:

    There are cases where printing directly on the build plate makes sense. However, there are several challenges associated with this approach. Firstly, removing the print from the build plate can be difficult, especially if there are no supports to aid in the process. Secondly, support optimization becomes limited or even impossible when printing flat on the bed. Lastly, there is a risk of potential damage to the build plate or the print itself during removal if not doing it carefully.


Alternative Approaches:

    Based on the experiences with alternative approaches shared by the members of the group, some people finds it just easier to print with the model being oriented and supported, while others stopped printing directly on the build plate due to calibration challenges and potential failures, avoid spending time on adjusting compensation settings for burn-in layers when printing large, flat objects.


▲ You might encounter layer compression or deformation when the plate is not levelled properly. Credit.


The Preference for Printing Directly on the Build Plate:

    On the other hand, there are members who expressed a preference for printing directly on the build plate. Factors such as proper levelling, and designing models with built-in supports are what you want to look into to. When done correctly, printing directly on the build plate can yield excellent results.


Considering Specific Use Cases:

    Several members emphasized the importance of considering the specific item being printed. The potential issue of "elephant's foot" caused by overexposure of bottom layers, which can be a concern when printing certain types of models. While some people prints the models flat on the plate, designing them hollow with specific features for ease of removal and drainage. Dental models are also seems tend to be able to printing on the build plate without any issue. These examples highlight the importance of tailoring the approach to the specific requirements of the print.


▲ Still, printing models on support will sometimes gives you benefit such as being able to print in batch. 


It all depends:

    There are also people criticising the tendency to repeat information without considering the specific circumstances and challenges associated with each print. It's crucial to evaluate the pros and cons of different approaches and determine what works best for each individual case.


Conclusion:

    The conversation in our Facebook group revealed a diverse range of opinions and experiences regarding printing directly on the build plate in resin 3D printing. While some individuals prefer this approach due to factors like magnetic plates and proper levelling, others find it challenging due to difficulties in removing prints and lack of support optimization. Ultimately, the decision to print directly on the build plate or use supports depends on various factors, including the complexity of the model, desired outcomes, and personal preferences. Case by case evaluation and experimentation are key to finding the best approach for each specific print job.


Link to the thread on our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Phrozen3DPENG/posts/2562637187234766/

Link to the post on our subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Phrozen/comments/185thaz/why_is_not_recommended_to_print_directly_on_the/

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Create Your Own Resin Profile

Getting your resin settings right is crucial to achieving a successful print. This is particularly important for those who are aiming for the utmost detail and precision. However, it's often the case that companies only provide resin profiles for their own products—or sometimes they don't provide them at all.      For newcomers to the scene, it can be quite frustrating to spend the majority of their time fine-tuning settings. Moreover, what works perfectly on one printer might not produce the same results on another. This discrepancy arises from the variations inherent to different devices, which shows the necessity to tailor resin settings accordingly.      With that in mind, let's delve into the experience shared by Derek Jackson from J3DTech, also a Phrozen community member. He gives us some insight into the process of refining resin settings. Here's my take on the information: To dial in a resin, there are two ...
Post a Comment
Read more

[Mega 8K] Setting Supports on Perforated Build Plate

Sonic Mega 8K has the largest printing volume of Phrozen's Sonic 3D printer line-up by the time of writing this article. Except the size, perforated build plate that comes with Sonic Mega 8K is also an obvious different from other models in the Sonic line-up.     The reason Sonic Mega 8K comes with a perforated build plate is that, lager the scale the model is, or fuller the build plate, higher the suction force it has to deal with, also longer the time you have to wait for the resin to travel back to its place after retraction. The perforated build plate of Sonic Mega 8K can effectively helps reducing the suction force especially when printing the raft, and also letting resin traveling back to its position after retraction more quickly, preventing model from peeling off from the plate and layer lines happening.     Some people may find it inconvenient working with perforated build plate, as in the slicing software, ther...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Simple Tip to Increase the Surface Quality of Prints

 The quality of surfaces of resin 3D  prints varies as it is affected by lots of factors, one of them is the model orientation when preparing the model. Orienting the model, especially for those which has sudden increase or decrease area of cross section, can increase the quality of the model's surface, by minimize the difference between those area of cross sections. This way can also help stabilize the plate-shaped model, spreading out the forces from a single direction to the whole model, decreasing the chance of deformation. ▲ Layer line is a common thing happened on resin 3D prints. This surface annoying many people who pursuit details and perfection. /Evaty Yu     The common way is to orienting the model by 45 degree and see if the result is satisfactory. Sometimes it did work but just doesn't quite there. In this stage most people will simply do the post processing and sand the surface to eliminate those imperfections, but some people would rather adjust and ex...
Post a Comment
Read more