When you are printing multiple part in Simplify3D, you may wonder how to avoid printing that nasty spider web-like leakage between parts (as seen in the following image caused by print head movement between parts):

You'll notice that the web often pulls on the newly laid filament layers on the part itself and causes two bad quality prints.


However, this is typically the only option available if you only have one print process assigned to all of your parts:

But when you create duplicate processes, you are provided another option. Even if you are only using 1 extruder to print all of your parts, there is an advantage of adding the exact same process twice. Let's do that now for our two frogs above:


STEP 01: If you don't currently have a process added, click the following button located in the bottom left corner:

STEP 02: Double click the process that was added to open it's .FFF Settings, and set it up with whatever settings you would normally use to print all these parts. [There are other tutorials on using print profiles to get the best quality prints.]


STEP 03: Once you've set all the settings, there is one more important setting to set before clicking the OK button. To the far left of the OK button you should see the following button:

Clicking it will allow you to assign this process to only one of the models.

Choose the Select None button then choose the first model only and click the OK button.


STEP 04: Repeat steps 1-3 for each additional mode. The good thing about clicking the Add button for processes is that it typically keeps exactly the same settings from the previous process created, making the steps go quickly. Remember, that when you get to step 3 for each, that you don't select a model that you already have a process for. Otherwise, you will receive an error later.

Now, we have two models, each with a separate process assigned to it. 


When you click Prepare to Print! this time, you will receive a new window before it actually prepares the print:

The top asks you which processes you want to use. Leave it at the default (all processes are selected), and skip down to the "Printing Mode" section.


Continuous Printing:

"Continuous printing" prints layer-by-layer, will result in the spider web in our case because we created 2 processes identical to each other (Simplify3D calls the inital case Single Process Printing - but having multiple, identical processes in Continuous Printing yields results similar to Single Process Printing mode). 


If you have different models (not printing the exact same model), you typically will make minor adjustments in the assigned process (i.e. one model doesn't have a lot of detailed edges, so it can be printed at a slightly faster speed). Therefore, this is how Continous Printing is advantageous over "Single Process printing."


Sequential Printing:

"Sequential printing| prints object-by-object... sort of. You enter a max height clearance and can print a that many millimeters of one object before it moves on to the next object. This actually saves time on printing because the print head isn't having to move back and forth from part to part each layer. AND less movement between parts also greatly reduces the spider web leakage described earlier.


There is a catch to using this mode with Leapfrog printers. If you click the Need help with these settings? link, it will open to the following Simplify3D tutorial page: https://www.simplify3d.com/support/tutorials/multi-part-printing/


According to Simplify3D's explanation, Leapfrog 3D Printers that have dual extruders shouldn't use "sequential printing" because the other nozzle could hit the other object. AND... if you don't take care, this could happen. But Leapfrog would not 


IF you want to use "sequiential printing" with your Leapfrog 3D printer, you MUST do the following:

  • Monitor your first time print of the .GCODE created all the way through. Do no leave it to print overnight if you've never tested the print all the way through to completion. You could come back in the morning with a serious damaged print head.
  • Parts will need to be spaced out on the X and Y axis to allow movement of nozzles (and fan on HS series models).

Sequential printing will not work with the above layout.


Here is the ideal layout for Sequential printing:

  • If you a have one part in front of the other in the Y direction, assign your first process to print the "front" part (parts closer to the front of the printer); the second process to the part "behind" the front part. The .GCODE is written in the order that the processes are listed. Therefore, you want the printer to print the part in front to the max height clearance before moving to the back to print the other part to the max height clearance.

[NOTE: the frog model used here needs Generated Support Material; it was removed to make the photos appear more understandable.]
  • Finally, set the Max height clearance no greater than 4mm. This will at least print 4mm of layers of one object before moving on to the next.


Therefore, sequential printing is better and will work on Leapfrog 3D printers. You just must take extra steps to ensure that your print head nozzles (and print head part fan for HS series printers) do not hit the parts as it is printing.

Thank you for reading through the solution. For help with any other issues, please do not hesitate to contact our Leapfrog Support Team.

 

We wish you happy printing!