# How to prevent bowing /warping of "flat" parts

**URL:** <https://forum.formlabs.com/t/how-to-prevent-bowing-warping-of-flat-parts/13585>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [June 5, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/how-to-prevent-bowing-warping-of-flat-parts/13585 "2017-06-05T15:38:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![David\_Boydston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_Boydston](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/David_Boydston)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/how-to-prevent-bowing-warping-of-flat-parts/13585/1 "2017-06-05T15:38:36Z")

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Hi,  
I’ve tried printing this part like 6 different times in different orientations, but I keep getting these “Warping” or bowing parts and I cant figure out why it does that, I’ve tried using the auto print but nothing, The “Flatter” i lay it the better it comes out but I heard before that you shouldnt lay things flat since it creates a lof of shear force when moving side-ways and it leads to failed prints.

 ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/formlabs/original/2X/8/83625c1ba7c2b1d7d8f8832ced8d0763c25cc6bb.JPG) ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/formlabs/original/2X/4/44e3b8766f7713ab1995f511ed2234f9f7fe336c.JPG)

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**Author:** ![Zachary\_Brackin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/4da419/32.png) [@Zachary\_Brackin](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Zachary_Brackin)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/how-to-prevent-bowing-warping-of-flat-parts/13585/2 "2017-06-05T16:12:22Z")

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A couple things

First–looks like you’re using the automatic support generation–you can get better results by placing supports yourself to get a better distribution, you can see there where there’s supports right next to other supports which isn’t necessary, you can spread them out in a pattern.

The other thing though, is that since it’s angled so sharply, even though there’s supports on the back it will still flex a bit due to the thin profile, if you angle it down more and get a good distribution of supports then it will be more stable and have less of a chance of flexing while printing.  
Alternately, you can try printing it directly to the base, just make it a little thicker than you want and then you’ll have to sand it down to the thickness you need afterward.