Non-Planar 3D Printed Lamp

Disclaimer - This is a difficult print, print it at your own risk! 

(If you need help, let me a comment or send me a message) 

Index

1. General Considerations
2. Printing the G-code on Bambu A1 / A1 mini
3. Adapting the G-code for Other Printers or Materials
4. Generating the G-code in Grasshopper

1. General Considerations

This project is experimental. The goal is to print a lamp shade using non-planar extrusion, meaning the printer head moves in X, Y, and Z at the same time while extruding.
This is not produced using a traditional slicer. Instead, the tool-path is generated directly in CAD.

Important Risks

• There is a risk of nozzle collisions with the printed geometry.
• Each printer has different mechanical clearances, so the Z height must be tuned carefully.
• This technique requires close supervision during the entire print.

Use this method at your own risk. Always monitor the machine while printing.

To make this model I used the software Rhino, in particular the Grasshopper extension and the following videos:

• Non planar 3D print path generation in grasshopper

• Rhino User Webinar: Advanced 3D printing with Grasshopper

   

2. Printing the G-code on Bambu A1 / A1 mini

To make things easy, I’ve uploaded the G-code files for the lampshade, compatible with Bambu A1 Mini and Bambu A1 printers.

These G-code files are configured assuming:

• Textured build plate
• PET-G filament
• 0.4 mm nozzle

If you want to use different settings (plate, material, nozzle, etc.), please refer to Point 3 where I explain how to re-slice the model.

Steps:

1. Download the G-code for your printer.

   

2. Open it in Bambu Studio.
3. From there, send it directly to your printer.

Note: The real print time is visible in the slicer, but it may not display correctly on the printer during printing. Keep that in mind.

Only the lampshade uses a special non-planar G-code.
The other parts can be printed normally.

Assembly

After printing the 3 parts, simply assemble them together.

Make sure to check the file names, because I uploaded two different lamp designs:

3. Adapting the G-code for Other Printers or Materials

In this section we will take the Base G-code and integrate it into a normal sliced file, so you can use different printers, materials, and parameters.

Important Requirements:

• The nozzle clearance must be at least 3 mm.
• The nozzle size must be 0.4 mm.
  If you use a lower clearance, the nozzle will collide with the model.

Steps

1. Import the Model
   • Load Unna Top (x,x,75,130,85,3) into Bambu Studio, like any normal STL.

2. Position the Part

   • Move the model from the center to position (90, 90, xx).
   • Ensure the orientation is correct.
   • No supports are needed.

   

3. Set Print Parameters

   • Choose the material, heated bed surface, and slicing profile.
   • Slice the model.

   • Export the sliced file.

     

    

4. Extract the G-code
   • Right-click the exported .3mf project file → Show more options → Open with 7zip
     (7zip must be installed).
   • Inside the archive, open the folder: Metadata/
   • Locate plate_1.gcode

   • Copy this file to your desktop.

     
     

     

5. Edit the G-code
   • Open plate_1.gcode with Notepad (or any text editor).

   • Press Ctrl + B (or Ctrl+F) to search for: ; close powerlost recovery

     

   • Delete everything below that line.
6. Insert the Base Non-Planar G-Code (See documents attached)

   • Paste the Base G-code directly below:

     

   • Save the file.
7. Repack the G-code

   • Replace the modified plate_1.gcode back into the same Metadata folder inside the .3mf archive (using 7zip).

     

   • Your project file is now ready.
8. Optional

   • Replace the project thumbnail image (512x512) if you want a nicer preview.

     

9. Verify
   • Open the .3mf file again in Bambu Studio.

   • You should now see the non-planar G-code merged into the file’s preview.

     

10. Send to Print
    • Everything is ready — send to your machine and print.

4. Generating the G-code in Grasshopper

WIP….. follow to know about the updates.

That´s all, thank you for been here! You can also check my other files.