Elements of 3D Printing
To print successfully it is important to understand some of the elements of 3D printing. If you understand these, you can orientate your object so that it will print in the most efficient way.
Overhangs
Overhangs are parts of your object that extend horizontally out from the body.
Generally, if the angle of an overhang is acute, it will need to be supported.
The software will automatically calculate where the overhangs are and how to support them.
No supports needed for these overhangs.
10 Degrees (left)35 Degrees (right)Greater than 45 degrees requires supports
45 degrees (left)60 degrees (right)60 degree overhang with support
Overhangs printed without supports = mess
Here, the overhang is unsupported. The printer will try to print the form, but because there is no support a mess will result.
Overhang with support
Here, the same shape is printed in the same orientation. Notice how the printer has created supports for the overhang.
The software will create these automatically.
Holes need supports
Open holes in a vertical surface will require supports. Remember, the top of the hole is actually an overhang.
These supports will have to be removed after printing
Orientation of your design
The orientation of your design will determine if it needs supports or not.
Goal: Try to` reduce the amount of supports you need.
Fewer supports means:
shorter printing time
less material used
shorter clean-up time
higher quality surface
No overhangs and no supports
Here the "L" object is printed with one side down and one leg pointing straight up. No supports are needed in this orientation.
"V" shapes are self-supporting
Because of their shape, they usually don't require any supports. If the inside angle is greater than 90 degrees, supports might be needed. The software will automatically generate them.
"Peaks" need to be supported
Usually, the a peak or overhang needs support. Notice how the software created a small "tower" to support the inside of the peak.
Infill
Infill is the density of the printed object. The software will create an internal pattern inside the object, The viewer cannot see it.
Infill affects your print in several ways.
Infill = 10%
Low infill =
slight more flexible/less strength
shorter printing time
less material used
lighter prints
Infill = 60%
Infill = 80%
High infill =
less flexibility/greater stiffness/greater strength
more material use
longer printing time
heavier print
Different Support Options
The 3D printing software will automatically create the supports for your design.
It is possible, though, to create different types of supports, or to adjust how the printer will create them.
1: Printed with no supports
In this example, notice how the overhangs (the neck and the belly of the bear) have strings hanging down. This is because there are no supports for the overhangs.
2: Printed with Standard Supports in UPstudio
The software will automatically generate these supports.
These supports will have to be removed by hand after the object is printed.
This is the default setting for our printers.
You can edit the supports in UPstudio. Click here to learn how.
3: Printed with supports generated in Meshmixer
Notice how there are fewer supports compared to the ones generated by UPstudio.
This style of support breaks away very easily. However, you need to create the supports in a separate program before printing. For instructions on generating supports in Meshmixer and printing in UPstudio, click here.
source: 3D HUBS