Stop Using Brims, Do This Instead

In this episode of Design for 3D Printing, we will cover how you can eliminate brims from your 3d printed parts using a simple design technique.

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[slantd]

The reason we did not include it in the video is that we don't think these are good solutions. Mainly because none of them add the sprue. So they are sub-optimal. And on this channel we really try to show the single most effecient way to do a thing. Since we work in mass production 3D Printing, a 1% improvement means a lot of cost savings for a client when they make 10's of thousands of an item.

[GyrosoftCo]

Please continue making more of these design optimization videos. They are incredibly helpful pointers to keep in mind when designing parts.

[YourArmsGone]

Don't forget you can usually add circles in your slicer software, this means you can easily modify other people's designs for better printing without brims.

[chizzt]

I use these regularly. Once the printer is above them, i pop a small neodymium magnet on (my prusa uses steel plates) to ensure adhesion to the bed

[HarryPorpise]

I’ve also found that a .3mm brim distance works very well. It doesn’t touch the model in most places, but it does hold on to the corners and is very easy (and satisfying) to pop off.

[kearnsarosa]

This video has been a big time, material and sanity saver for me as i was having issues with a print and the only response i kept getting was "you need to wash your print bed" Followed your steps here and now problems solved!

[ArguileSoques]

This is fantastic. I have been looking how to start using sharper corners in some of our designs so everything isn't so rounded. Keep up the good work.

[zzippo]

Oddly enough, I was fighting corners pealing up on an intricate design where a brim would have been a nightmare when this video popped up. Huge help, thank you so much.

[rigfix]

I have been 3D printing for more than 12 years now, but this was new for me.
Still learning :)
Thanks!

[NexGen-D]

Tabs and similar are quite handy for PLA's, but my fix for this was to install a recirculating chamber heater system, works for ABS and above, no warping anymore, and better bed and layer adhesion, depending on the material I can go all the way up to 90° C inside the chamber.

[Son-Goku_Kakarot]

Always had issues with these and love your points about not relying on printer settings and instead focusing on quality designs

[LibertyEver]

Great tip! It makes me wonder it a teardrop shape might work even better by providing a relatively large surface area but without the rapid change in nozzle direction that exists where the sprue encounters the mouse ear circle.

[Mcowling]

This totally made my life easier this week. I was printing a bed full of 100 tiny objects and by adding a sprue to interconnect them and to an outer system of circles i was able to save time and not worry about failures.

[KarlOnSea]

Hi - I saw your short version of this earlier today, and am currently printing a part that was very prone to lifting in one area. Apparently now fixed: Thank you!! 😚

[Mnkylord]

I've been experimenting this with some 3D printable buildings I've been working on for miniature wargaming, which often have large, flat floors, and are thus prone to warping at the corners. So far the results have been great! Thanks so much for sharing this technique!

[WestonWill]

SuperSlicer has this function for Brim > Brim Ears. Works great. Your example in CAD does offer more flexibility.

[KTJ]

Slowing and increasing temperature at the first layer much helpful as well.

[DonBarthel]

Phenomenal, thanks! On some of my parts I've actually rounded the corners to prevent curling where it didn't affect the functionality or appearance. On cube corners I have chamfered the point. Saves filament too.

[stevef]

Literally just had this issue with a print going right now, fantastic timing, thank you

[TheSkeletonKing]

This seems like a pretty hot tip, thanks for sharing! I've started to incorporate beveling into my corners to help alleviate some of those issues, this definitely seems like a great trick to try!