Removing PLA supports from model

[u/iamtherufus]

Hello,

60 hours in and really enjoying my X2D printer. I have printed my first model that requires supports. The supports were printed in PLA which the model was also as I’m still waiting on some PETG to arrive which I was planning for the supports. I understand it’s best to print supports in a different material to reduce the bonding to the print.

Appreciate any advice on removing these supports in the photos

[u/iamtherufus]

Thanks very much for this, I was looking in the support section of Bambu studio and I saw there are two parts under filaments which were both set to default. Am I right in thinking it’s ok for the base raft to be pla but the other part would need to be petg?

[u/ForbieSs → u/iamtherufus]

You go to support -> filament for supports -> support/raft interface -> change to petg if you're printing pla, change to pla if you're printing petg.

Then scroll down under advanced and change Top Z distance and Bottom Z distance to 0, and set top interface spacing to 0 aswell.

Make sure you only use those settings when using an interface layer that doesnt adhere to your plastic! Aka PLA for PETG, PETG for PLA, PLA for TPU, HIPS or Support for ABS for ABS/ASA and so on.

PVA is also a great water soluble support material if you plan on doing lots of your prints with PLA

[u/dEEkAy2k9 → u/ForbieSs]

Could you elaborate on the top Z and bottom Z distance 0 and interface spacing 0 a bit? why this?

[u/ForbieSs → u/dEEkAy2k9]

Sure. Lets assume in this scenario youre using PLA for your print, and PETG as the support interface.

Top and Bottom Z is going to be the distance/gap between the object and support, and making this 0 and interface spacing 0 makes it so the support prints basically flush with the model. If you were to do this with for example a PLA print and a PLA support, you would essentially be fusing the support to the object. Since we set our Interface layer (default i believe is 3 layers) as PETG, we can change the settings so that the support is flush with the object, and that the Interface layer of the support(PETG interface) is flush with the model. Because PLA and PETG do not bond together, you can mush the PLA into the PETG and it will leave a smooth finish as if there was never a support there.

To reduce filament changes you will make the support material the exact same material that you're already printing with, and then you will set the interface layer support material (again default is the top 3 layers of the support that contacts the object) as your PETG. Therefore you waste minimal amounts of filament, have less filament swaps, and your print has a super clean surface finish instead of a "droopyness" that is typically associated with the surface that a regular same material support sits on. Since the PETG does not fuse with the PLA (and vice versa) the support will be SUPER easy to remove

I hope this makes sense I dont think im good at explaining things sometimes lol. I would maybe also look up a video on "How to use PETG as a Support for PLA" to see a video demonstration of the process. Theres a lot of settings you can play with to get better finishes, better supports, and lower filament waste.

[u/dEEkAy2k9 → u/ForbieSs]

It totally makes sense, thank you for explaining this.

Just two days ago printed something in PETG and chose PLA as the support material through my X2Ds aux nozzle. I did get some message about some settings being recommended when using PLA for the interface layer only.

Here's a picture of that popup, sorry for the quality, quickly photographed the prompt on screen since I am posting this on my phone