How do I place the part on the bed?
Orientation dictates strength, supports, surface finish and print time all at once. It deserves more attention than any other slicer setting.
What the failure looks like
The part snaps right where it shouldn't, supports are everywhere, or the visible surface looks untidy. It's almost always a matter of orientation.
Causes, most likely first
- 01
Force perpendicular to the layers
The part splits along the layer line.
- 02
Visible surface facing downwards
It gets marked by the supports.
- 03
Vertical vs horizontal holes
Vertical holes come out round; horizontal ones come out oval.
Step-by-step fix
1. Identify the main load direction
Orient so that the stress runs along the layers, not pulling them apart.
2. Position the most important face upwards or vertically
Never facing the supports.
3. Maximise contact with the bed
Larger base = less warping and fewer supports.
4. Orient critical holes vertically
They come out round and accurately dimensioned.
5. Consider splitting the part
Two well-oriented halves glued together usually beat a single poorly oriented part.
6. Compare in the slicer preview
The slicer gives you the time, material use and supports for each orientation in seconds.
So it doesn't happen again
- Consider orientation while designing: chamfers, 45° angles and flat faces.
- Save the slicer project with the validated orientation.
Related questions
Does rotating 45° reduce warping?
On long, narrow parts, it does help distribute stresses and make better use of the print bed.
Keep reading
Want to go deeper? We have a full article about this on the blog.
What if it isn't worth your time?
Sometimes the part is more urgent than the learning curve. We're a workshop in Viladecavalls: send us the file and we'll print it with the right material and settings.
Still not working?
Tell Marco which printer and material you use and he'll tell you what to change.
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