prevent top of model from being closed
Quote from Maurits Buijs on 2023-10-11, 17:38Hello everyone,
I'm new to 3D printing and bought a second hand Craftbot 3 to learn. At the moment I'm struggling with ABS prints. The first print lines always seem to shrink irregularly, while the rest of the print lines are fine. I suspect this is because of the heat of the print bed, but I'm not sure. So I created a 'heat shield' model to test if my hypothesis is correct. I attached an image of it; as well as the STL-file.
I'm obviously new to Craftware software, so I am still learning the way it works. On the heat shield model, I assumed it would close the top of the bowl shape if the model would have a single outer layer. Therefore, I gave it an inner and outer layer. However, after printing it in reality, I realized my assumptions were wrong and Craftware still closes the top layer; regardless of having double layers.
Can someone explain: why it fills the bowl shape with support material and closes it off? And also; how I can prevent this from happening?
By the way; I know what vase-mode is, but it can't be used here because it removes the center stage. I would need to make this a two part print, which is not what I intended.
Hello everyone,
I'm new to 3D printing and bought a second hand Craftbot 3 to learn. At the moment I'm struggling with ABS prints. The first print lines always seem to shrink irregularly, while the rest of the print lines are fine. I suspect this is because of the heat of the print bed, but I'm not sure. So I created a 'heat shield' model to test if my hypothesis is correct. I attached an image of it; as well as the STL-file.
I'm obviously new to Craftware software, so I am still learning the way it works. On the heat shield model, I assumed it would close the top of the bowl shape if the model would have a single outer layer. Therefore, I gave it an inner and outer layer. However, after printing it in reality, I realized my assumptions were wrong and Craftware still closes the top layer; regardless of having double layers.
Can someone explain: why it fills the bowl shape with support material and closes it off? And also; how I can prevent this from happening?
By the way; I know what vase-mode is, but it can't be used here because it removes the center stage. I would need to make this a two part print, which is not what I intended.
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Quote from Alexander Mark on 2025-07-14, 10:53It sounds like you're encountering some common challenges with ABS. Regarding your heat shield model, Craftware may be interpreting the geometry in a way that automatically adds a top layer for structural integrity. You might want to check the slicing settings related to top layers and infill. By the way, while learning new skills, I found taking an iq test free really helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses better.
It sounds like you're encountering some common challenges with ABS. Regarding your heat shield model, Craftware may be interpreting the geometry in a way that automatically adds a top layer for structural integrity. You might want to check the slicing settings related to top layers and infill. By the way, while learning new skills, I found taking an iq test free really helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses better.
Quote from forgiveb oyscouts on 2025-07-16, 05:47Quote from Maurits Buijs geometry dash on 2023-10-11, 17:38Hello everyone,
I'm new to 3D printing and bought a second hand Craftbot 3 to learn. At the moment I'm struggling with ABS prints. The first print lines always seem to shrink irregularly, while the rest of the print lines are fine. I suspect this is because of the heat of the print bed, but I'm not sure. So I created a 'heat shield' model to test if my hypothesis is correct. I attached an image of it; as well as the STL-file.
I'm obviously new to Craftware software, so I am still learning the way it works. On the heat shield model, I assumed it would close the top of the bowl shape if the model would have a single outer layer. Therefore, I gave it an inner and outer layer. However, after printing it in reality, I realized my assumptions were wrong and Craftware still closes the top layer; regardless of having double layers.
Can someone explain: why it fills the bowl shape with support material and closes it off? And also; how I can prevent this from happening?
By the way; I know what vase-mode is, but it can't be used here because it removes the center stage. I would need to make this a two part print, which is not what I intended.
Preheat your chamber or cover the printer to stabilize ambient temperature.
Quote from Maurits Buijs geometry dash on 2023-10-11, 17:38Hello everyone,
I'm new to 3D printing and bought a second hand Craftbot 3 to learn. At the moment I'm struggling with ABS prints. The first print lines always seem to shrink irregularly, while the rest of the print lines are fine. I suspect this is because of the heat of the print bed, but I'm not sure. So I created a 'heat shield' model to test if my hypothesis is correct. I attached an image of it; as well as the STL-file.
I'm obviously new to Craftware software, so I am still learning the way it works. On the heat shield model, I assumed it would close the top of the bowl shape if the model would have a single outer layer. Therefore, I gave it an inner and outer layer. However, after printing it in reality, I realized my assumptions were wrong and Craftware still closes the top layer; regardless of having double layers.
Can someone explain: why it fills the bowl shape with support material and closes it off? And also; how I can prevent this from happening?
By the way; I know what vase-mode is, but it can't be used here because it removes the center stage. I would need to make this a two part print, which is not what I intended.
Preheat your chamber or cover the printer to stabilize ambient temperature.
Quote from lisa purnellsw on 2025-07-25, 04:48Quote from Maurits Buijs cookie clicker on 2023-10-11, 17:38Hello everyone,
I'm new to 3D printing and bought a second hand Craftbot 3 to learn. At the moment I'm struggling with ABS prints. The first print lines always seem to shrink irregularly, while the rest of the print lines are fine. I suspect this is because of the heat of the print bed, but I'm not sure. So I created a 'heat shield' model to test if my hypothesis is correct. I attached an image of it; as well as the STL-file.
I'm obviously new to Craftware software, so I am still learning the way it works. On the heat shield model, I assumed it would close the top of the bowl shape if the model would have a single outer layer. Therefore, I gave it an inner and outer layer. However, after printing it in reality, I realized my assumptions were wrong and Craftware still closes the top layer; regardless of having double layers.
Can someone explain: why it fills the bowl shape with support material and closes it off? And also; how I can prevent this from happening?
By the way; I know what vase-mode is, but it can't be used here because it removes the center stage. I would need to make this a two part print, which is not what I intended.
You're absolutely on the right track with suspecting the print bed's heat, especially for ABS and first-layer issues. ABS is notorious for warping and shrinking due to temperature differences. The first layer is particularly vulnerable because it's directly exposed to the bed temperature, and if the ambient air around it is significantly cooler, it can cool too quickly and unevenly, leading to those irregular shrinkage lines.
Quote from Maurits Buijs cookie clicker on 2023-10-11, 17:38Hello everyone,
I'm new to 3D printing and bought a second hand Craftbot 3 to learn. At the moment I'm struggling with ABS prints. The first print lines always seem to shrink irregularly, while the rest of the print lines are fine. I suspect this is because of the heat of the print bed, but I'm not sure. So I created a 'heat shield' model to test if my hypothesis is correct. I attached an image of it; as well as the STL-file.
I'm obviously new to Craftware software, so I am still learning the way it works. On the heat shield model, I assumed it would close the top of the bowl shape if the model would have a single outer layer. Therefore, I gave it an inner and outer layer. However, after printing it in reality, I realized my assumptions were wrong and Craftware still closes the top layer; regardless of having double layers.
Can someone explain: why it fills the bowl shape with support material and closes it off? And also; how I can prevent this from happening?
By the way; I know what vase-mode is, but it can't be used here because it removes the center stage. I would need to make this a two part print, which is not what I intended.
You're absolutely on the right track with suspecting the print bed's heat, especially for ABS and first-layer issues. ABS is notorious for warping and shrinking due to temperature differences. The first layer is particularly vulnerable because it's directly exposed to the bed temperature, and if the ambient air around it is significantly cooler, it can cool too quickly and unevenly, leading to those irregular shrinkage lines.