JLCPCB complain about hollow spaces around keys

[yuantsung]

Thanks for this amazing project. I am planning to assemble a 50-55mm ball so I downloaded the Everything.stl file, then split parts and submit a 3dp order to JLCPCB, using FDM technology and PLA material. However JLCPCB said the hollow spaces around six keys will be filled with supports and are hard to remove and clean.

I think it is not supposed to be printed like this. Did I do sth wrong when I split parts? Link to my top.stl file are attached below (GitHub doesn't allow me to attach stl files).

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wbKxrg41f3QzpvyFheMYKDBQxwxnRGUP/view?usp=share_link

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[efogdev]

Hi, I think you should specify that there should be no supports — all the files were specifically designed for FDM 3D printing. Maybe you need to point them out that every part must be oriented with the flat side on the bed.

I believe you can re-orient everything by yourself and export as STL from your slicer then. But I never did something like that

[yuantsung]

Thanks for your quick reply.

They still insist that the keys should be printed with support, even after I oriented the top surface to the flat side on the bed and told them there should be no supports 🤦‍♂️. I really have no idea why I encountered such an issue. There are already a lot of people FDM printed top part of Adept similar with this one, even with their own printer at home.

Could you advise further? Did I adjust the orientation correctly? Or I should give up. I would appreciated your help.

[efogdev]

The orientation is correct, well I believe you just need to persuade them that supports aren't needed :D

From my experience with JLC, usually they ask "do you accept the risk", at least that's the case with PCB/PCBA, don't have any experience with their 3D printing department.

Honestly I don't even understand what the second arrow pointing to, if it's the bridge then well it's a bridge, it's designed to be a bridge in the air :)

Supports would just ruin the print (I think you won't even be able to clean them out without damaging the essential bridges), so I believe you either convince them, or print somewhere else.

From their wording, I'd think you can just say that you acknowledge that some parts may not come out perfect.

[fabriciobastian]

The only concern is whether the printer can bridge well, which is the only concern for this model. But if a cheap Bambu Labs A1 can do it, I would be surprised if a pro 3d print business do not have printers that can print this model without supports.

[yuantsung]

I really appreciate your suggestions. I convinced them to proceed last week, and it finally has some progress today. They sent me an email for shipment confirmation with printing result attached. Here's the result. It looks good : )

The bridges are printed correctly without support. The only problem is the two plates for anyball logo is too thin, which is not acceptable in their printing service. I need to find another way to make them.

Thanks again for this amazing project. I can't wait to assemble it and post my build in gallery!

[DryDate-8383]

Just to add my experience - JLC gave me the same pushback when I tried to print the files with them a week ago. I was able to convince them to move forward but the sensor cover and logo were both 'too thin' for them to print, so I found someone on Facebook with a Bambu labs printer.

I received an entire set of the print I was looking for in a few days for under $50.