WHAT’S THE ISSUE?
When doing a print that needs to add some support, if the support fails to print, the support structure will look deformed or have cracks, making the model unsupported.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
∙ Weak Supports
∙ Printer Shakes and Wobble
∙ Old or Cheap Filament
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS
Weak Supports
In some slicing software, there are multiple types of support to choose from. Different supports offer different strengths. When the same type of support is used on different models, the effect may be good but may be bad.
SELECT THE CORRECT SUPPORTS
Do a survey for the model you are going to print. If the overhang parts connect to a section of the model which contacts the print bed well, then you can try using lines or zig-zag supports. On the contrary, if the model has less contact on the bed, you may need stronger support like grid or triangle supports.
ADD PLATFORM ADHESION
Adding platform adhesion such as a brim can increase the contact area between the support and print bed. In this situation, the support can be bonded on the bed stronger.
INCREASE THE SUPPORT DENSITY
If the above 2 tips don’t work, try increasing the support density. The larger density can provide a stronger structure that will not be affected by printing. The only thing that needs to be concern is that the support is more difficult to remove.
CREATE IN-MODEL SUPPORTS
The support will be weak when they are overly tall. Especially the support area is small. In this case, you can create a tall block below where the supports are required, this can avoid the support becoming weak. Also, the support can own a solid base.
Printer Shakes and Wobble
Wobbling, shaking or impact of the printer will affect the printing quality badly. Layers may shift or lean, especially if the support only has a single wall thickness, and it is easy to fall apart when layers fail to bond together.
CHECK EVERYTHING IS TIGHT
If the shakes and wobble exceed the normal range, you should give the printer a check. Make sure all screws and nuts are tightened and re-calibrate the printer.
Old or Cheap Filament
The old or cheap filament may be another cause of the collapsed support. If you miss the best time to use the filament, poor bonding, inconsistent extrusion and crispiness may happen that resulting in poor support printing.
CHANGE FILAMENT
Filament will be brittle after the expiry date, which can usually be reflected in the quality of support printing. Change a new spool of filament to see if the problem is improved.
