1 Topic by H_Alex

  • H_Alex
  • H_Alex
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Illinois, United States
  • Registered: 2015-03-26
  • Posts: 55

Topic: Variable Density of Support Structures

I'm an engineer by profession, and my company owns a Statasys 3D printer which does something very cool and useful: it can be programmed to make the support structures gradually become denser as they come closer and closer to the face they are supporting, which creates a very smooth face where the support structures attach, while not using a ridiculous amount of material.

Is there any way for hobby-grade printers to do this as well?

Frustration is part of the process.

2 Reply by pirvan

  • pirvan
  • pirvan
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: San Francisco
  • Registered: 2013-03-27
  • Posts: 1,797

Re: Variable Density of Support Structures

Slic3r does something very similar.

Take a look at the settings below.  You can achieve the same thing as Stratsys by changing this option:
Interface pattern spacing.  Setting this to "0" will create a solid support surface just under the model.

So, assuming your support density spacing is normally 2.5mm, it will stay like that until it reaches just below the part needing support, then it gradually starts to build a solid surface.

http://www.soliforum.com/misc.php?action=pun_attachment&item=9622

Post's attachments

support interface.jpg
support interface.jpg 130.94 kb, file has never been downloaded. 

You don't have the permssions to download the attachments of this post.
To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

3 Reply by H_Alex

  • H_Alex
  • H_Alex
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Illinois, United States
  • Registered: 2015-03-26
  • Posts: 55

Re: Variable Density of Support Structures

Oh sweet! Thanks! I'll give it a try!

Frustration is part of the process.

4 Reply by widespreaddeadhead

  • widespreaddeadhead
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Quad Cities IA/IL
  • Registered: 2015-01-20
  • Posts: 471

Re: Variable Density of Support Structures

Thanks for this info, I just used this yesterday on a print and it worked very well!

FuseBox 1.5 CoreXY - e3dv6 - Graphic Smart Display
Solidoodle 2 - e3dv6 - Hobb Goblin - e3d Titan - lawsy carriages - Direct Drive Y Axis - T8 Z axis - OctoPi