UFO printed using Fixture(reusable support)

thingiverse

This is a proof of concept for using a fixture to support a print. Fixtures are common in CNC machining, but I hadn't seen it used with 3d printing. Its probably overkill for doing a single print, but if printing multiples it will save filament overall.The UFO is intentionally made to be hard to print without the use of supports. I split it in half at the widest part so that both sides will print easily without any supports. The bottom half is printed first, then it is placed in the fixture. the second half is printed. First an alignment dowel will print to locate and stabilize the fixture, while using a pause at layer command the fixture with bottom half of print is placed on the bed. the print is then resumed and the top half is printed on top of the bottom half creating on solid print with no marring from any supports. The fixture is printed in PETG so that any PLA that happens to print on it won't bond to it. It uses three 1/2inch by 1/8inch neodymium with 16lb pull to hold to the print bed. when printed at 0.20 layer height a pause at layer 32 will allow you to place the magnets.The bottom half is printed normallyThe Top half of the saucer requires a pause so the fixture can be placed on the bed. When printed at 0.20 layer height layer 88 should workThe slicer i used is Flashprint. It has a glitch that changed the elevation of the top print when sliced. I solved this by making a one wall thick cylinder with enough height to reach the bottom of the STL placed on the bed but not touching the rest of the print.