WEEK 3: SUPPORT STRUCTURES
This week we went through the different types of support structures, when to put them and the types of support structures.
SKIRT BRIM RAFT
SKIRT
The most resource saving option. Hoever, does not add to adhesion to the base plate and could cause warping of model
BRIM
The standard used one for general cases. Good balance of base adhesion and resource saving
RAFT
The most resource intensive option. For prints that have low base area and need high adhesion and support to stand.
WHEN TO USE SUPPORT STRUCTURES
We can use support structures in overhangs when angle>45 degrees.
prevent bridging malfunctions by adding support structures.
BRIDGES
Experiment of the decline of quality of bridging with different lengths.
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Bridges that are longer result in more fraying of filament. Overall less stable structures.
ORIENTATION
Changing the orientation of the model can also can reduce the need for overhangs and support, reducing time and filament needed. In this case, the rotation of the letters reduces the need of support which in turn reduces time needed to print.
TYPE OF SUPPORT
Changing the support types results in the difference in time or material cost. From my exercise, manual support placement seems to be the fastest method to print but it does not have the guaranteed stability of the computer generated ones.
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Tree supports seem to be the most reliable and efficient method.
REFLECTION
In conclusion, in order to optimise the speed and efficiency of the print, we have to consider or calculate the different times taken as well as the materials used in grams in a slicer. Some of the options such as manual support placement might be faster, however might lack the stability on a computer generated one.