The necessity of adding support in 3D printing depends on factors such as the structural characteristics of the printed model, the type of printing technology used, and the properties of the materials.
01
What is a 3D Printing Support Structure?
Support structures are additional structures added during the 3D printing process to prevent deformation or collapse of the model’s overhanging parts due to gravity or material properties. After printing, supports usually need to be removed manually, which may leave marks on the model’s surface.
02
Situations Requiring Support
1. The model has overhanging or cantilever structures
When there are protruding parts in the model that are not vertical to the printing platform (such as cantilevers, arches, inverted structures, etc.), and the vertical distance of the overhanging part from the lower printing surface exceeds the material’s “critical overhang height,” support must be added.
Example: When printing an “L” shaped model horizontally, if the horizontally extending part does not have support, it will sag due to the weight of the uncured material.
2. Using specific 3D printing technologies
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling):Material is stacked layer by layer, and if there is no support for the overhanging part, the molten plastic will deform due to gravity.
SLA/DLP (Stereolithography/Digital Light Processing):When liquid resin cures, overhanging areas may fall off due to insufficient adhesion, especially when the model is printed upside down (to reduce support marks).
3. Material properties affecting support
Low-viscosity or highly fluid materials (such as certain resins, flexible plastics) are more prone to collapse and require support; high-hardness, fast-curing materials (such as some metal powders) may reduce the need for support.
03
Situations Where Support Can Be Reduced or Eliminated
1. Reasonable model structure design
When the model’s overhang angle is less than 45°, some materials (such as ABS, high-strength PLA) may achieve support-free printing by optimizing printing parameters (such as layer height, temperature).
Example: Gentle slopes or conical structures can self-support due to the large contact area of the overhanging part with the lower layer.
Some domestic metal 3D printing manufacturers have released similar information claiming to have broken through the 45° “concept,” allowing for reduced or no support.
2. Using special printing technologies or equipment
SLS (Selective Laser Sintering):The powder bed supports itself without additional support, suitable for complex structures.
Multi-material 3D printers:Can print support materials (such as water-soluble PVA) and model materials simultaneously, allowing for post-processing dissolution of supports, reducing manual handling.
Vertical printing or optimized angles:By adjusting the model’s placement angle, overhanging structures can be converted into self-supporting structures.
3. Material and process compatibility
In metal #3D printing (such as SLM), the un-melted powder in the powder bed can serve as natural support, reducing additional structures; some high-strength plastics can achieve small-scale overhang printing by increasing printing temperature and inter-layer adhesion.
04
Considerations for Support Design
Support position and density:
Supports should be placed on non-critical surfaces of the model (such as the bottom, hidden areas) to avoid affecting appearance.
Density should be adjusted based on the weight of the overhang: heavy structures require dense support, while light structures can be sparse.
Choice of support type:
Tree-like supports: save material, easy to remove, suitable for intricate models.
Linear supports: high stability, suitable for large overhanging structures.
Post-processing convenience:
Select support materials that easily separate from the model material (e.g., in #FDM, #PLA models paired with PVA supports can be washed away).
05
Is Support Absolutely Necessary?
Not an absolute requirement:The use of support depends on the model structure, technology type, and materials; reasonable design and process optimization can reduce or eliminate the need for support.
Recommended principles:
Beginners or complex models should prioritize adding support to avoid print failures;
Use slicing software (such as #Cura, PrusaSlicer) support preview features to simulate and assess necessity;try small test prints to verify the feasibility of support-free solutions.
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