To develop RC flight models that are as light as possible and yet stable, it is necessary to work with as little filament as possible. Most slicers expect "waterproof" bodies that are simply filled with filament. To get flight models with the desired characteristics it is necessary to invent other methods and to get the slicers to create thin walled and super light parts in an unusual way. For our earlier models, we solved this with Cura's experimental SURFACE MODE function. These models require the Profile P3 and can only be sliced with Cura. Our later developments, starting with the SHARD, are specifically designed for LW-PLA and are constructed completely differently. They can be printed with any slicer that offers Gyroid filling.
That's why we decided on a system of basic profiles that can be created once and then used to print all PLANEPRINT models. Use our WINGTEST v1.7 to check whether the parts are stable!
The Profile P1 is the simplest and corresponds to the most common application in 3D printing, namely bodies that are completely filled. You can print them with all slicers.
Select a standard profile for PLA and the nozzle 0.4 in the slicer. Change the following settings (the quickest way to find them is via the search field):
CURA • Layer Height (and Initial Layer Height): 0.25mm • Z Seam Alignment: User Specified, Position: Back • Infill Density: 100 % • Minimum Layer Time: 2.0 • Union Overlapping Volumes: checked • Save the profile with the name PLANEPRINT P1
PRUSA SLICER • Layer height (and first layer height): 0.25mm • Seam position: Rear • Fill density: 100% • Save it as a new profile with the name PLANEPRINT P1
Set the printing speed, fan and nozzle temperature so that you get very stable parts with good layer adhesion (depending on printer type and filament).
The Profile P2 differs from P1 in that the printed parts are hollow in the inside. You can print them with all slicers.
Select your profile P1 and change the following settings:
CURA • Wall Line Count: 2 • Horizontal Expansion: 0 • Top Layers: 2 • Bottom Layers: 2 • Infill Density: 15 % • Infill Pattern: Gyroid • Save the profile with the name PLANEPRINT P2
PRUSA SLICER • Perimeters: 2 • Solid layers Top: 2 • Solid layers Bottom: 2 • Fill density: 15% • Fill pattern: Gyroid • Save it as a new profile with the name PLANEPRINT P2
The Profile P3 is ONLY possible with Cura because it uses the experimental function SURFACE MODE. There are other slicers that have similar functions, but you have to expect that the results are slightly different from Cura and partly not usable. For this profile we recommend to use Cura version 4.12.1 (scroll down to version 4.12.1 and click on "Assets"). With newer versions there may be errors in slicing.
Select your CURA profile P1 and change the following settings:
• Horizontal Expansion: 0 • Infill Before Walls: unchecked • Enable Retraction: checked • Retract Distance: shorten to half way • Retraction Extra Prime Amount: 0.3 (if there are holes after the z-seam, increase this value slightly) • Combing Mode: Off • Union Overlapping Volumes: NOT checked • Surface Mode: Surface • Slicing Tolerance: Middle • Save it as a new profile with the name PLANEPRINT P3
For P3, the nozzle temperature should be slightly higher, 225 to 230° (Fan max 20%) to achieve good adhesion. The printing speed should be a maximum of 40 to 60 mm/s.
The Profile P4 is only used for flexible TPU parts. You can print them with all slicers.
Select your profile P1, change the filament type to TPU and change the following settings:
CURA • Wall Line Count: 2 • Top Layers: 3 • Bottom Layers: 3 • Infill Density: 15 % • Infill Pattern: Gyroid • Speed and Temp: (According to the TPU manufacturer's recommendation) • Combing Mode: All • Union Overlapping Volumes: checked • Save the profile with the name PLANEPRINT P4
PRUSA SLICER • Perimeters: 2 • Solid layers Top: 3 • Solid layers Bottom: 3 • Fill density: 15 % • Fill pattern: Gyroid • Speed and Temp: (According to the TPU manufacturer's recommendation) • Avoid crossing perimeters: checked • Save it as a new profile with the name PLANEPRINT P4
The Profile P5 is the basis of our new models and is used exclusively with LW-PLA (foaming, not pre foamed). It can theoretically be printed with any slicer that offers a GYROID infill. LW-PLA has the property of constantly foaming in the Nozzle. Therefore, other settings of Cura are important, which specifically feed more filament after long travel paths to avoid areas with too thin walls. We have only tested this with Cura and Prusa Slicer, but it is quite possible to achieve good results in other slicers.
For the PROFILE P5 it is essential to use Cura Version 5 or later, It will work with
older versions, but the weight of the parts will be higher and the printing time longer.
Select your profile P1 and change the following settings:
CURA • Wall Line Count: 1 • Print Thin Walls: unchecked • Top Layers: 3 • Bottom Layers: 2 • Infill Density: 6 % • Infill Before Walls: unchecked • Infill Pattern: Gyroid • Speed and Temp: max 50 to 60 mm/s, 230° to 240° • Retract Distance: 0.1mm • Retract at Layer Change: checked • Retraction Extra Prime Amount: 1 (or more if holes appear after the Z-seam) • Retraction Minimum Travel: 30mm • Combing Mode: All • Travel Speed: As fast as possible with your printer • Union Overlapping Volumes: checked • Save the profile with the name "PLANEPRINT P5"
PRUSA SLICER • Perimeters: 1 • Solid layers Top: 3 • Solid layers Bottom: 2 • Seam position: Aligned • Fill density: 6 % • Fill pattern: Gyroid • Infill before perimeters: unchecked • Maximum infill anchor length: 2mm • Speed and Temp: max 50 to 60 mm/s, 230° to 240° • Retraction length: 0.1mm • Retract on layer change: checked • Deretraction extra length: 0.7 (or more if holes appear after the Z-seam) • Minimum travel after retraction: 1.5mm • Avoid crossing perimeters: checked • Travel (Speed for non-print moves): As fast as possible with your printer • Save the profile as a new profile with the name "PLANEPRINT P5"
It also works very well with the Orca Slicer.
Downloads
With this data you can calibrate your printer perfectly and test our profiles.
saved as Cura projects to open in Cura.
Here you can find a collection of user profiles from our Facebookgroup.
NOTE: Cura error message "Model errors"
since Cura 4.6 this warning comes after the first start. The reason is that our Profile 3 parts use the experimental Surface Mode and are not built as full bodies but as open surfaces.
Please ignore it!
NEVER use any kind of repair programme with our STL!
FAQ – Here are some tips for printing
-
If you need support, please contact us only by email to info@planeprint.com with your order number or choose our Facebook group Planeprint Pilots. Support requests will no longer be answered on other channels such as Facebook Messenger, Instagram or Whatsapp.
-
Before you do any profile settings activate a completely NEW CURA-Profile!
-
Measure the diameter of your filament in several places and enter the actual diameter in Cura. With that, we no longer have problems with sub-extrusion.
-
Before you begin to print and build everytime download the LATEST manual from our website!
-
To print an airplane only use a new, high quality PLA filament, we do not recommend any other material.
