this post was submitted on 20 Feb 2024
20 points (91.7% liked)

3DPrinting

15138 readers
9 users here now

3DPrinting is a place where makers of all skill levels and walks of life can learn about and discuss 3D printing and development of 3D printed parts and devices.

The r/functionalprint community is now located at: [email protected] or [email protected]

There are CAD communities available at: [email protected] or [email protected]

Rules

If you need an easy way to host pictures, https://catbox.moe may be an option. Be ethical about what you post and donate if you are able or use this a lot. It is just an individual hosting content, not a company. The image embedding syntax for Lemmy is ![](URL)

Moderation policy: Light, mostly invisible

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

Hi everyone - I'm doing some prototyping on a part I'm designing. The final part will take up nearly the entire build plate, but for a test print, I'm using a negative modifier to remove 80% of the part, leaving only a sliver to print. The problem is that once sliced, the part left to be printed is way over on the edge of the build plate, and I'd rather it be in the center if possible. If I position it where the edge i want printed is in the middle, it of course complains that part of the file is off the build plate and won't let me slice, even though it's all being removed with the negative modifier. Any ideas on how to get it to cut the piece and still center it?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

I second the other comment it’s best not to handle it in slicers.

Rather, I’d suck it into your favorite modeling software, then create a sketch with a cube that fills the space you want to cut (so one face is the cut-plane and the rest of the part is inside the cube.)

From there, duplicate the part you’re trying to print and use the cube to “intersect” the part- which makes it so that copy, only the stuff inside the cube exists. On the duplicate, you can then use “cut” to remove the bits you just created.

In Fusion 360, the function your looking for is “combine”, you don’t need to duplicate the mesh part just toggle “keep tools” (I’d also suggest “new component” as well.)

While you’re in there… I would create a sketch off the net cut plane (either side,) and then create registration posts. Shallow is just fine, but you want a something tapering to a solid point so that as you’re gluing up, it aligns itself. (A shallow pyramid also works, whatever angle youre printer can handle overhangs is fine.)

Inside, you’re joining the extrusion the other you’re cutting (and creating a void.)