Pin Support Challenge
A torture test for single-line pillars and unsupported tops. The part starts with a solid spiral base, rises as a thin pillar printed with one perimeter only, and finishes with a cone or sphere balanced on top of the pillar. It stresses retraction, cooling, speed, and extrusion consistency all at once — ideal for calibrating pressure advance or comparing materials.
See Predefined Models for the general workflow and how to select this model.
Parameters (sliders)
Parameters
Shape- Shape of the top feature: Cone (Easier) — a downward-pointing cone that builds layer-by-layer — or Sphere — the harder test, needs rock-solid overhang control.
Line Overlap- Overlap between adjacent spiral lines in the base (0–50 %). 10–15 % is a good default.
Sphere/Cone Diameter- Diameter of the cone or sphere at its widest point (mm, 10–80).
Pillar Height- Height of the thin pillar between base and top shape (mm, 10–40).
Pillar Diameter- Diameter of the single-line pillar (mm, 0.4–3). Usually matches your nozzle — the pillar is literally one extruded line wide.
Pillar Speed- Feedrate used for the pillar in mm/min (5–50). Slow speeds (10–20) let heat dissipate so the pillar stays stiff.
Sphere Speed Min- Slowest feedrate used at the poles of the sphere in mm/min (20–200). Poles are the hardest parts — slow speed keeps them precise.
Sphere Speed Max- Fastest feedrate used at the equator of the sphere in mm/min (100–1000). The equator is easy, so it can speed up.
Sphere Layer Height (Poles)- Z increment per 360° at the top and bottom of the sphere (mm, 0.02–0.2). Very small at poles to maintain resolution.
Sphere Layer Height (Middle)- Z increment per 360° at the equator (mm, 0.05–0.5). Larger at the middle since fewer revolutions are needed per unit height there.
Ribbed Pillar (No Preview)- Add horizontal ribs to the pillar for extra grip (Off / On). The preview does not show ribs, but the G-code will include them.
How it works
- Base: a flat outward spiral to Sphere/Cone Diameter × 1.5 provides rigid bed adhesion.
- Pillar: a single-line vertical column rises from the centre of the base to Pillar Height, using Pillar Speed and Pillar Diameter. The pillar is essentially one stacked bead of plastic.
- Top shape:
- Ribbed Pillar optionally splices small horizontal ribs into the pillar for mechanical grip — useful if you plan to glue the printed pillar into a socket.