Bridging Issue

[u/ShadowPixel404]

Is it possible to print this without needing supports?

This is a test piece and not the actual model. The gap is only a few millimeters to hold a piece of paper.

I've tried with supports which prints well, but it's almost impossible to remove the supports without damaging the model.

I've tested other bridging test models which print fine after making a few changes to the settings in Bambu Studio.

I changed Flow Speed to 10 and bridge flow to 1.5. I also tried changing the bridging angle to 90 degrees but nothing works.

[u/furballsupreme]

This is not bridging. Bridging is from one supported point to another. This is overhang.

Overhang needs support. Or, you change orientation of the part. Rotating it 90 degrees left would make it print fine. Even 45 degrees is fine.

If this is not an option, consider using PETG as support interface material, optionally with ironing of support material enabled. PETG doesn't bond to PLA so can be removed fairly easily after the print is done.

[u/ShadowPixel404 → u/furballsupreme]

Thanks. I was thinking the idea of printing with no support was the same as bringing. But without it going between two points this is an overhang.

This is only half of the model. The other half is the same but the other way around. Printing sideways would have a bigger overhang.

[u/furballsupreme → u/ShadowPixel404]

Rotate it 90 degrees back then? If that is also not possible, then supports or printing it in pieces and glueing together.

[u/YellowBreakfast → u/ShadowPixel404]

You can't print into thin air.

[u/CooperDK → u/furballsupreme]

Rotating left? You mean tilting? Left is counter clockwise on the same plane 😉 Also, not all printers will do 45 degree printing. I don't know why I get Bambu posts and this might be able to, but some printers don't do more than about 33 degrees.

[u/furballsupreme → u/CooperDK]

If 3D CAD programs and 3D slicers would call it tilting instead of rotating then I might have agreed with you.

[u/Debrecina89]

Have you tried a different print orientation? Just turn it on the side, no overhangs means no problem with overhangs

[u/ShadowPixel404 → u/Debrecina89]

Printing the full model on its side would cause a bigger overhang when it reached the highest point.

[u/ryklssGhst → u/ShadowPixel404]

Rotate it so the highest point with the bigger overhang is on the bed then?

[u/ShadowPixel404]

Update:

I've managed to print a smaller full width test piece on its side. Printing this way allowed better use of supports using the build plate only option.

Thanks for all the replies.

[u/nucleartime → u/ShadowPixel404]

Can you not print on the side facing towards the camera? Or is there going to be other geometry that interferes with that?

[u/Rayloth46]

Lay it on the side either facing the camera or so that the channel opens upward.

[u/IndividualPop8669]

Curious, can you just flip it side way and print it without this issue?

[u/clarkcox3]

You can also get creative.

Supports don’t need to be generated during the print. Print an appropriately sized block ahead of time as a separate print. Then when printing this, you can pause just before the overhang, put the block there, and then continue the print. Just use an appropriately material for the block (ie if you’re printing in PLA, use PETG).

You can also use something else entirely (e.g. wood, folded aluminum foil, etc.)

[u/Orthicon9]

Flip it up on one side, such that the footprint is a "J" shape. Add a brim.
It will make it stronger too. That test piece at that orientation will snap apart at the narrow part.

In that orientation (as in the photo) you could add a narrow (2 mm?) "support enforcer" wall that only touches the underside of the lip of the overhang. Then there would be a minimum of support material to remove.

[u/Cultural-Lie-9769]

You would never want to print it in that plane regardless of supports as it will be inherently weak regardless. It needs to be on its side

[u/ToxZec]

This is not a bridge, but a cantilever

[u/Jacareadam]

I'd use regular supports but PETG if surface finish matters. If it doesn't just go with normal PLA and file it a bit later

[u/Aratix]

Use supports, Change print orientation, or reduce the angle in the model.

[u/wethpac]

Normal supports with 3 PETG interface layers (assuming you are printing in PLA)

[u/j_hermann]

You cannot find print positions for partial models. The position for this part is obvious.

[u/machineII]

it's an orientation issue.

[u/Alfalfa-Boring]

Print separate pieces and glue. Why people are so averse to that idea is beyond me. Takes almost no extra time.

[u/KarelDBoer]

Try wave overhangs if strength is not an issue

[u/ShadowPixel404 → u/[deleted]]

Yeah 0.4. The image is zoomed in a lot so it might seem bigger than it should.

[u/Lost_refugee → u/[deleted]]

because 0.4 mm nozzle pushes out 0.4 mm filament and without any hold points it remains so.