In this post, we teach “what to look for” when looking for 3D-Printable files on Thingiverse… and explain the most important rule of all…
Rule #1: Avoid “Unsupported” overhangs
An “unsupported” overhang, and the disaster it causes (right)
You can (and SHOULD) choose files that can be 3D Printed without support material. Why do we need to consider overhangs, and what do we need to look for while browsing Thingiverse?
Why do we need to consider overhangs?
3D Printers fabricate objects layer-by-layer, building on top of the previous layer.
Keeping this in mind, we must have a surface on which to place the next layer as a design is fabricated by the 3D Printer.
If a design leaves an area “unsupported” - a.k.a.” Printing On Top of Nothing” - you will run into issues with stringy-prints, like in the photo above.
As a general rule, overhangs are safe up to approximately 45 degrees before the issue arises.
What does it look like?
Let’s think of a Martini Glass and a Mushroom as an example to plant in our brains.
A “Supported” Overhang
An “Unsupported” Overhang
Looking at the Martini Glass, notice how the edges of the glass “step out” at a 45 degree angle from the top of the stem?
This shape will print well because it gradually steps out from the layer beneath it. Your 3D printer will have a solid surface to build the next layer upon.
Now let’s consider the Mushroom…
The stem of the mushroom will print fine… but once the nozzle goes to print the mushroom head… it will be printing on top of nothing, and this is where the problem manifests.
By carefully selecting your design when browsing Thingiverse files, you can avoid all the frustration of printing a design with an unsupported overhang.
Other Helpful Rules
Rule #2: Consider the physical size of the design
Your Mantis 3D Printer has a robust 8”x 8”x 8” build volume. This is a very useful size for the majority of models you’ll find… with that said, the printer can’t handle parts larger than its build volume.
Make sure to consider the size of parts while you’re selecting them on Thingiverse.
Rule #3 - Consider the File-Size of your chosen model
The Mantis is designed to fully automate the file preparation and printing process. With that said, our algorithms run on the micro-computer that lives on the Mantis. This microcomputer, known as a raspberry pi, is only so powerful - complex models can take longer to process. A good rule of thumb is to print models that are less than 50 mb in file size to minimize processing time. Large files that take too long to process may trigger an error message.
Keeping these rules in mind and, most importantly, by avoiding “Unsupported Overhangs”, you will get the most enjoyment from your Mantis 3D Printer!
If you’re ready to begin searching now, here’s a link to thingiverse: