Slic3r vs. Cura

I tested out Cura with my new set-up and I'm positively surprised about the results.
Slic3r is working well but there are some parts of the Gcode generation which leave some ugly artefacts. Especially the change from perimeters to infill always leave a mark on the outside.

Slic3r, still having troubles generating clean perimeters

There is still an argument to be made about Cura missing a lot of the fine detail function. No acceleration settings, no manual control and the simplification of giving only a outer wall thickness and not a number of perimeters are a bit to simplistic for my taste.

But the results speak for themselves.
Except for the little blobs, degenerated layer and bigger gaps in the perimeters didn't happen in the Cura printed (golden) parts. I will give Cura more tries in the future.

Cura, overall much more consistent look

Meshmixer support - a very good alternative

I recently tried the Meshmixer support because I'm tired of Slic3r not being able to calculate its support correctly. Apart from looking really cool it actually works really well.
You could even make organic looking sculptures by using this tree and branch technique.
Below you find a tutorial video how you apply and manipulate the support structures a function that comes in very handy if you know your printer better and only need partial support.

The contact point on the model brake of very easy and are surprisingly stable. The only detail to keep and eye on is that the contact point need to be really on the edge of the overhang, otherwise the underside of said overhang will not look good and have a slope of bad layers in them.

The colored trees are the automatically generated support.

Here the model still hot on the bed.

Custom Cookie Cutters

With my 3D printer we can make any shape into a cookie cutter.

The sky or your imagination is the limit. From sigils like game of thrones, the batman sign, a logo or letters, to your littles nieces scribbles on the wall we make cookie cutter from it.
For more inspiration look here: Thingiverse: Cookie cutters

Very popular last year, the Stark wolf from Game of Thrones

Get your own in 3 easy steps

Step 1: You choose a picture, drawing or form.

We can use almost anything to make our shape. The less colors and the simples the shape the easier we can extract the shape.
We can even scan a drawing from you.

The same wolf as finished cookie cutter.

Step 2: Magic and some code.

I have a script ready which allows me to easily transform your picture into information for the 3D printer.

Special order: Rocket from Guardians of the galaxy.

Step 3: Print it.

The printer handles the rest a normal sized form takes around 1 hour to finish, so we can fulfill last minute orders as well. Your welcome to have a look while its made.
Cookies are of course not the only use for these shapes. You can you it as a stencil for spraying or painting or use it as a mold for pouring silicone.

  

Even in tough and chewy croissant dough, the shape comes through.

Practical things:

• In order to get a good cookie long, thin or ragged pieces will make it hard for the cookie to bake evenly.
• The material I'm using is called PLA (poly lactic acid) its used in a lot of food packaging and is non reactive. I've been using it in my kitchen for years. However its not dishwasher safe as its starts getting soft at around 70°C. I can not be held responsible for your safety and/or improper use.
• If you are unsure about safety google the topic and make an informed choice. Here is a short article about the topic PLA and food safety