For a geeky gift I want to model something where in a few places

3D Printing
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1

For a geeky gift I want to model something where in a few places you can see the infill of the model. Any tips on how to model/slice this? I’m using Fusion 360 and Slic3r for my Prusa MK2s.

My problem is all results are on how to avoid showing the infill (when not enough top layers are printed for example). So having a bit of google-fu problems.

The only solution I could think of is to remove the top layers from the gcode file, so that the layers are never printer. This is less then ideal as I can only do it from the top, and I will have to compensate a 1mm on top of the model to be cut out.

So any tips/pointers would be greatly appreciated.

2

I’m not sure that Slic3r allows for this action, as easily as Simplify3D does, but the concept is simple. I’ll describe S3D first, and you can decide if the manual method is worth the effort.

Within the advanced settings of S3D, I can set a start and end layer height for a specific set of print settings. For the first collection of settings (process 1), I would have the outer layer thickness set to normal, ending at, for example 25 mm height.

For process 2, all the settings would be identical, but the process start would be 25 mm and have the outer layers set to zero, stopping the process at 35 mm for example.

Using Slic3r, unless you can find an automated method, consider to chop off the model at the desired height, generate the g-code. Reload the model, chop it off below the previous location and above the second spot, generate g-code. Reload the model, chop it at the second location, generate g-code. Open the three files in a text editor and splice them together.

All references I’ve been able to find specific to Slic3r for anything similar to this seem to point to variable layer height and allow no capability to embrace your objective.

I’ve used Slic3r on occasion and am aware that you can position the model “below” the print bed to create the slicing I’ve described. I cannot recall if it can be done with the precision necessary to manually stack the pieces.

I suspect that you can achieve accurate model segmentation within Fusion 360, however. I’m comfortable enough with Meshmixer to say that it can be done with that program as well.

Please note that my suggestion results in a portion of the model in which the infill is visible around the entire perimeter of the selected segments.

I hope you are successful and I would enjoy to see a photo of the result.

3

If you turn off top and bottom solid infill (not sure what that feature might be called in Slic3r - Cura does this) all the horizontal surfaces (and nearly horizontal - Top of a sphere might have a hole) will not print solid and show the infill. Anything with a slope greater than something like 1-2 degrees should have a shell on it. How well this might work depends on your geometry and the orientation.

4

@Jeff_Parish this was what I just realized as well, it actually works quite nice. My ultimate goal was to have some side cutouts, but this top and bottom windows are quite cool too.

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@Davy_Landman Glad you figured out something that worked. Post a picture of your project. I’d like to see the result.

6

This might be a bit agricultural, but could you literally cut away parts of your complete model with like a hot wire foam cutter?!? I love your idea anyway, that would be cool!

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I have to do some iterations, but I will post the result!

8

@Fred_U Slic3r has a far more advanced method called modifier meshes.

http://slic3r.org/blog/modifier-meshes