Prusaslicer: Feature request: Nonplanar layers

[mdjurfeldt]

It would be wonderful if it would be possible for you to merge the following Slic3r modification (available on github):

https://tams.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/research/3d-printing/nonplanar_printing/index.php

[Venthe]

Direct link to Github branch: https://github.com/Zip-o-mat/Slic3r/tree/nonplanar
Released under GNU Affero General Public License v3.0; Same as regular Slic3r

[draeath]

See also #2704

[haarp]

This is a super promising feature that would make Prusaslicer stand out quite a lot.

One of the challenges here will be how to handle collision detection. Prusaslicer already does this for sequential printing, but it is quite rudimentary and not adequate. Having the PINDA hang next to the nozzle doesn't help either.

[alexwhittemore]

+1! added for inspo: https://hackaday.com/2016/07/27/3d-printering-non-planar-layer-fdm/

[draeath]

The print cooling fan shroud as-is would also be an issue, significantly limiting z traversal during use of this technique.

[TargoDove]

With the current printers it probably wouldn't be very useful/implementable with just a software update. It would also require some clever changes to the current form of the Mk3 and Mk3s. But it would be a nice feature/ability to have for a new printer (say the MK4?). It has been around since 2016 and with all the developments since then it is most certainly possible to implement.

It doesn't have to be perfected before being added to a Prusa Printer. Thats the whole point of releasing new printers. None of them are perfect. I think a lot of us would love to have this feature if it isn't more capable than what was demoed in this video (https://youtu.be/gmePlcU0TRw).

There are and will most certainly be issues and difficulties but that is typically the case with all new features.

[alexwhittemore]

I mean, certainly Prusa Research doesn't have much incentive to develop slicer features inapplicable to their own printers, but FWIW, PrusaSlicer is definitely used outside the scope of the Prusa i3.

[draeath]

Even with the small clearance available due to PINDA and part cooling fan shroud this can be useful, just not to the degree everyone hopes.

[Zazcallabah]

Divide the Z axis into 5 mm chunks or whatever, and run this on all shell surfaces facing up when reaching the top of each chunk?