Is there a way to get a "vase mode" for multiple wall prints if you just change the order the walls are printed on each layer?

Question

I was pretty fascinated with vase mode print results thinking it would be awesome if this could be done with at least 2 (or more) walls. Initially I was told that its not possible because the printer would start on the outer wall (or inner), then once that is completed, smoothly transition to the inner wall, and once that one is done, it would then need to move up 1 layer and move back to the outer wall - Thus creating the Z-seam.

But after thinking about it - that seems like something that could easily be solved by just not printing the inner/outer wall in the exact same order on every layer. The printer could just do the outer wall, then like usual, print the inner wall, then instead of retracting and moving to the same location the lower outer wall was created, it could just continue on to print the inner wall on the next level, then the outer wall. Then move up, outer wall, inner wall.. Rinse and repeat.

I highly doubt I'm the first one to think of this, but I didn't see any plugins or settings for this. I don't see why this wouldn't let several wall vase mode prints to be possible.

Question: Is there some flaw with the above logic? If not, is there a way to get that style of print (I use Cura/Klipper/Ender 3 S1 Pro).

Answer 1

Vase mode can't have two walls

Vase mode creates one continuous spiraling pattern all over. Z is moving up continuously very slowly. There is no "end of the layer", there is just a start point and an end point.

This is mutually exclusive with trying to print any single layer with more than one wall. The whole thing about Vase mode is the spiral pattern along the outer wall to have no seam or sudden moves up.

Answer 2

I have seen a video (unable to locate) which may provide some resolution but it requires that you are the creator and have created the model in such a way as to incorporate this method. There may be model editing practices which can be used on someone else's model, but the skills required would match those of a creator.

For the sake of this answer, the model being printed is a simple cylinder and the base is ignored.

Consider the following: the model which generates the cylinder would have a 0.4 mm width wall, arbitrarily consistent with the nozzle size and not locked in stone. The slicer in vase mode performs in the normal, expected manner.

In the modeling software, excise a vertical slot at any point on the circumference of the cylinder. The slot creates a reversal of direction of the nozzle and as the print progresses, the nozzle returns again to the slot from the opposite direction. The slot width should be large enough to be seen in the slicer as a distinct interruption, but small enough that the extruded filament will join with the previous circuit.

This is approximately what you describe in your second paragraph. The result would have a wall thickness of 0.8 mm and would have a clearly visible seam at the location of the slot.

Alternatively, if you have greater skills and understanding than I, you may find Full Control to be a suitable solution. It is not modeling software, nor is it a slicer. One creates g-code based on parameters provided to the program which allows for models beyond the reach of conventional modeling programs. Images from linked site:

Answer 3

I'm going to call this an XY problem, because if a model admits printing in vase mode except that you want it to have "multiple walls", the problem is not actually needing "multiple walls" but a higher total wall thickness. In that case, you just increase the "outer wall line width" to whatever wall thickness you want. With a standard 0.4 mm nozzle you can print lines up to at least 0.8-1.0 mm thick, maybe even 1.2 mm. If you need thicker than that, use a larger nozzle.