Hello,
This week our group focused on optimizing the build time, material usage, and part strength of our Bucky model. We tested Bucky standing up, laying on his side, and laying on his back. Laying Bucky on his back provided optimal results in all categories. You can read our findings below.
PARAMETERS AND RESULTS:
| Printing Parameters | |
| Layer Height | 0.15 mm |
| Infill | 25% |
| Support Angle | 45° |
| Print Speed | 55 mm/s |
| Print Orientation Performance | |||
| Standing | Laying Down | Laying Side | |
| Build Time | 11hr 15m | 8hr 33m | 10hr 03m |
| Print Material | 38 g | 36 g | 36 g |
| Support Material | 42 g | 20 g | 34 g |
| Joint Strength | Poor | Good | Good |
ORIENTATION TESTING:
The obvious orientation to print Bucky is in the standing position. Intuitively this may seem to be the orientation requiring the least support material. However, this is actually one of the worst ways possible to orient Bucky. It requires more support material (5.4m) than actually printing material (4.88m), takes the longest to print (11 hr 13 min), and produces a very weak connection from the body to the head due to the raster orientation. A picture showing all of the support material, shown in blue, needed is seen below:
Figure 1: Cura engine slicing for Bucky standing upright.
Next we looked at Bucky laying on his side. This provided better results than standing, with a 20% reduction in the amount of support material needed. The build time in this orientation was also reduced by one hour. Laying Bucky on the side was an improvement, but it seemed natural that laying him on his back would provide the fastest printing time since the print speed is largely dominated by motion in the z-axis.
Figure 2: Cura engine slicing for Bucky laying on his side.
Slicing Bucky while laying down reduced the print time and support material used even more. This is the preferred orientation for reducing printing time and material used. It produces the same joint strength as laying down on the side. The main concern with strength is to be sure that the neck is printed with strength in tension/bending. The joints for Bucky can be seen in this orientation below:
Figure 3: Cura engine slicing for Bucky laying on his back. Ball joints are visible in this cross-section view.
We are printing our first Bucky model today. In 8 hours and 33 minutes we will know how successful the print is. We will keep you updated. Wish us luck!
Team Bucky