Support

Generate support

Some models have overhanging parts, which means that parts of the model float mid-air when you would print the model. In this case, you must print a support structure under the model to prevent the plastic from falling down. This can be achieved by enabling “Generate support”.

Support extruder

Dual extrusion machines offer the possibility to create water-soluble supports. To make use of this feature, you can specify which parts of the support are printed with which extruder. The setting is divided into:

Support infill extruder
First layer support extruder
Support interface extruder
Support roof extruder
Support floor extruder

Placement

This setting defines where the support structure is printed. It contains the following options:

Touching build plate: Support material is only printed from the build plate up
Everywhere: Support material is printed below every part that needs support, which means that it can also be placed on or inside a model

Support placement options — This model has parts with overhangs. The model on the left has support everywhere, while the model on the right has support on the build plate only

Overhang angle

The overhang angle influences how much support material is added. A smaller angle leads to more support. For example, at a value of 0° all overhangs are supported, while at 90° no support material is added.

Support pattern

There are different patterns available for printing support structures, resulting in sturdy or easy to remove support. You can choose from the patterns below:

Connect zig-zags

When a zig-zag support pattern has been selected, this setting becomes visible. It connects the end of zig-zags, which strengthens the support structure and increases adhesion to the build plate by the support structure.

Support density

This defines the density of support structures. A higher value will lead to stronger support, but these will be more difficult to remove and take more time to print.

Densities of triangle support material — This model has triangle support with three different densities: 15 %, 30 % and 45 %

Z distance

This refers to the distance from the top and bottom of the support structure relative to the model. This setting is divided into the top distance and bottom distance. The top distance defines the distance between the top of the support and bottom of the model and the bottom distance refers to the distance between the bottom of the support and top part of the model.

A small distance between the support structure and parts of the model is necessary in order to remove the supports easily after the model has been printed. A low value creates a smoother surface, but can also make it more difficult to remove the support properly.

X/Y distance

Under this setting you can adjust the distance between the support structure and the model in the X and Y directions. A higher value reduces the chance of the support structure hitting the model. However, this also creates a larger distance between model and support structure, which may result in smaller overhangs not being fully supported.

The lateral distance between support and model — The model on the left has a support X/Y distance of 0.7mm, while the one on the right has one of 0.3mm

Support distance priority

After the launch of Ultimaker PVA, the support Z-distance was set to 0. This introduced a scenario where the X/Y-distance would offset the PVA from the model, decreasing the support quality. The support distance priority ensures that the PVA aligns with the model perfectly. The image below shows the priority when X/Y overrides Z, and when Z override X/Y.

Minimum support X/Y distance

When the Z overrides the X/Y-distance priority, as discussed above, the X/Y-distance may force the support to hit the model. To ensure a safe distance, the minimum support X/Y-distance should be kept at all times.

Stair step height

When “Support placement type everywhere” is selected, support structures are printed with the model. This structure doesn’t necessarily follow the contours of the model smoothly. Instead, the bottom of the support structure consists of small stair-like steps. Changing the stair step height value affects how big these steps should be. A low value will result in a smoother bottom of the support and more connections between the model and support structure. A higher value makes it easier to remove the support afterwards.

Stair step value heights — The object on the left has a high value stair step height, the model on the right has a lower value

Support stair step maximum width

This is the maximum width in the X/Y direction where a stair step appears. When a plane does not change height within these 5 millimeters, the support is handled as regular support.

Join distance

Join distance is the maximum distance between support structures in the X/Y directions. When separate structures are closer together than this value, they will merge. Using a high value for this setting will cause support structures will merge sooner. This can help increase the stability and strength of the support, especially when the support structures are very thin. It is important to note that a high value can make the support structures so dense that it is difficult to remove.

Support horizontal expansion

By using horizontal expansion, an offset can be applied to support structures in the X and Y direction. High values will expand the support areas, resulting in sturdier support. Very thin support areas can be removed completely by using a negative value. The right side support of the model below can easily be printed, although the supported area is very thin.

Horizontal expansion for supports — The model on the left has horizontal expansion disabled which saves material and decreases print time. The model on the right has horizontal expansion enabled, which increases the strength of the structure

Enable support interface

A support interface generates a dense skin on the roof and floor of the support structure on which the model is printed. Doing this supports the bottom layer of the print better, leading to a more even surface. It is important to remember that a support roof is more difficult to remove than regular support, so post-processing may require more work, specifically when using non-soluble supports.

Support interface toggle — This model is sliced in two different ways: the example in the middle has the support interface enabled, while the right example has the support interface disabled

The support roofs and floors can be set separately and each has its own options:

Support interface thickness: The thickness of the support interface(s)
Support interface resolution: The resolution checked in the Z-direction, which determines where support interface is printed
Support interface density / line distance: The density of interface of the support structure
Support roof pattern: The pattern that determines how the roof of the support structure is printed

Use towers

By enabling this setting, support structures are printed as towers that reinforce tiny overhang areas. Support towers are only printed for support areas that are smaller than the set minimum diameter. All support areas larger than this value will use regular support.

To improve stability, support towers have a larger diameter than the region they support. If necessary, the tower diameter can be changed to create either a bigger or smaller support tower. The tower’s diameter decreases near the overhang, forming a roof. Adjusting the tower roof angle defines how sharp or flat the tower roof should be.