Large format printer, what compromises are required to speed up the process.

I want to estimate the slicing, and print time of large objects to get an idea of what to expect, and to identify what compromises one can make to speed up the process. What slicing software should I download to explore this?

I have the opportunity to create a hydra printer (FDM + DLP/SLA) with a build envelope size of 12x12x24 inch. But from what I have read slicing an object for FDM printing could take days, and longer to actually print with a layer height of 0.10 mm. I'm looking for compromises that allow you to print large objects quickly without concern for the quality of the surface finish.

I want to estimate the time to slice, and print a 12x12x24 inch hollow box without a top (5 sides) with a ~1.0 mm wall thickness, and 0.50 mm layer height with a 1.0 mm orifice diameter. Attached is an STL file of the box for you to experiment with.

Bottom line, should I abandon this idea, and design around a 12x12x12 inch build envelope?

Tks!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/2014 11:32AM by A2.

Fastest slicer I have used is Cura. Slices a 12 x 12 x 6ish build in ~1 minute maybe with complicated parts. Haven't tried Kisslicer though.

I just sliced it in Cura. Took maybe 5 seconds. Heres a screen shot:



Hope that helps.

PS. What's a hydra printer? I tried googling it but only got the HydraRaptor.

---

greghoge.com

HUGE 3D PRINTER PARTS SALE!!!

Slicing time is largely a function of the object complexity. Your test box probably has only 28 facets and should slice very quickly. The only thing that will take much time is infill generation.

As for print time, with a 1mm orifice and 1mm wall thickness, this would print with a single perimeter. The cross section of the extruded filament would be 0.5mm x 1.0mm, and if your were printing at 100mm/sec, say, then you'd be extruding 50mm^3 / sec of material. Your volume is about 750,000mm^3, so I believe this all works out to about a 4 hour print time. Sounds doable, except you need to build and extruder that can melt and extrude 50mm^3 of filamant per sec.

All this goes out the window, of course, if your object is much more complex.

Simplify3D is quite nice as a slicer, but I still use Repetier Host. Cut slicing times to about 1/50th sometimes 1/100ths.
It's got different acceleration and slower external perimeter algorithms that seem to be faster. It only decreases acceleration on complex parts, other parts seem to have greater accel. Perimeters have a gradiant, per perimeter speed change, rather than external and all internal as two.
Yoda, which took too long to wait in Slic3r, was sliced in about 12 seconds [note: original, full poly Yoda] in S3D. Compromise? $140.
Edit: Went ahead and did a test.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/2014 01:26PM by MrDoctorDIV.

---

Realizer- One who realizes dreams by making them a reality either by possibility or by completion. Also creating or renewing hopes of dreams.
"keep in mind, even the best printer can not print with the best filament if the user is the problem." -Ohmarinus

@gmh39:
Cura.
Lernaean Hydra was an ancient serpent-like water monster with reptilian traits. It possessed many heads, [en.wikipedia.org]. I'm designing a generalized Cartesian structure, large enough to accommodate other additive and subtraction technologies, thus the use of the word Hydra. It will be bigger than a breadbox, and smaller than an automatic dishwasher I'm limiting the external footprint to the depth of my office desk, i.e. under 30 inches.

@LoboCNC:
object complexity, infill generation, except you need to build and extruder that can melt and extrude 50mm^3 of filamant per sec.
All this goes out the window, of course, if your object is much more complex.

Tks for the example, I'll test the speed of object complexity, and infill generation. Is there an example of a hot end capable of 50mm^3/sec, seems like a lot extrudate? Looks like the rate of extrusion could be an important factor that limits expedient large object creation. If it is that's interesting, and I I'll have to consider it an opportunity, and learn more about it.

@MrDoctorDIV:
Simplify3D.
Repetier Host.
Tks for the video, and slicer recommendations, helps to see it in action!

Currently, standard extruders today probably will not cut it. What you need is a longer melt zone. Basically, increase teh length of the threaded rod and screw on 2 or 3 heatblocks.

---

"Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."

Develpment on KISSlicer has started again with Jonathan cranking out versions as he stamps out bugs. He's on the KISSlicer Refuge Google group with the latest alphas and betas.