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Types of support used in 3D printing models

Updated: May 25, 2022


Most of complex 3D printing models required lots of supports especially for overarching parts. When you are looking to print the model which has the gap between the ends, you require support as it cannot print in the air. Whenever this happens, make sure you have the right settings otherwise your models will suffer in the terms of quality.


In this article, we’ll try to articulate about types of supports and they can lead to nicely supported print or to a worse experience.


1. Linear Supports

This is a common type of support used by beginners and professionals in most of the significant numbers of prints. It is also called “lattice” in additive manufacturing, where the architecture is built by an array of spatial arrangements of unit cells with edges and faces. They are angular and flat overhangs look like columns and grow up to the bottom.

Pros:

- Reliable and great support for bridges, flat, angular overhangs

Cons:

- A daunting task to remove supports as they touch the entire bottom of the bridge and overhangs.

- Can easily damage your 3D printed model during the removal process.

- Use a huge amount of material as a supporter and is time-consuming to print.


2. Tree-Like 3D Print Support

Tree like support structures is used in the model with no flat overhangs. This type of support grows as a trunk at the base of the 3d prints and evolves into thin branches that touch the overhang parts of the model at various points. This support is best suited for prints with many overhangs but isn’t too vertical.

Pros:

- Quick and easy to remove supporters from print

- Less amount of material used in supports

- Do not harm the underside of the overhangs

Cons:

- Tree like structures are often used for 3D printing models with non-flat overhangs

- Not reliable when used with flat protrusions.


3. Dissolvable Supports

If you looking to invest in more expensive supports, then dissolvable supports are best that enable you to remove supports easily by soaking them in water. It helps to keep a nice surface finish without adding any extra effort in finishing the 3d model. As a soluble supporter and 3D printing material can’t be extruded together, you must need one nozzle for filament material and another nozzle to work on soluble support.

Pros:

Receive final outcome with nice finish without adding any extra efforts

Cons:

Only used in dual extruder printer, not feasible in ne extruder machine.




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