{"id":5743,"date":"2020-06-11T09:07:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-11T09:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ultimakerstage.wpengine.com\/learn\/"},"modified":"2023-05-19T09:22:39","modified_gmt":"2023-05-19T09:22:39","slug":"support-materials-a-beginners-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ultimaker.com\/fr\/learn\/support-materials-a-beginners-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Support materials: A beginner\u2019s guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"hero-support\"<\/div>\n

Support materials: A beginner\u2019s guide <\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/section>\n

Support materials play a significant role in 3D printing. They make it possible to create complex geometries without\u00a0significantly\u00a0affecting the aesthetics of the final printed product.\u00a0There are a variety of\u00a0support materials\u00a0to choose from, each with different advantages.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"pla-dissolvable\"<\/div>\n
Parts printed with PVA support material<\/div><\/div>\n

Why are support materials important? <\/h2>\n

With FFF (fused filament fabrication) 3D printing, objects are created in layers, from bottom to top. Melted filament<\/a> passes through the 3D printer\u2019s extruder and builds the printed item, layer by layer. Each new layer requires the layer underneath to support it. <\/p>\n

Issues arise when a print design requires an overhang, or an element that\u2019s suspended in mid-air. This is where support materials can help. They create a \u201cprop,\u201d on which the melted filament can be placed. The support material is removed once the print is complete, leaving the printed material intact and in the correct position. <\/p>\n

This offers far greater design freedom, enabling the creation of complex geometries, with very few restrictions. <\/p>\n

Common uses of support materials <\/h2>\n

Support materials enable you to create more complicated parts. Architects, for example, can 3D print bolder conceptual designs. Engineers and designers have complete freedom in their designs and are not subjected to the limitations of traditional manufacturing methods, such as milling or molding. Manufacturing aids (such as tools, jigs and fixtures) can be customized to specific tasks. Even complex models with separately moving parts can be printed in one go.<\/p>\n

What else should you know? <\/h2>\n

Basic build material support.<\/b> If you\u2019re using a single extrusion 3D printer, you will need to create supports with the material your are printing your model in. This is because single extrusion printers can only print with one material at a time. This means your support will adhere well to the model. Prints are also less likely to fail, as there are no compatibility issues. However, it\u2019s more difficult to remove the support material post-print, and the surface quality may be adversely affected. <\/p>\n

Breakaway support material.<\/b> Manually removable support materials, like Ultimaker Breakaway, tend to be used by those printing with dual extrusion 3D printers. They\u2019re a different material to the filament used to create the printed model, easy to remove, and reduce impact on surface quality. However, when you\u2019re working with these support materials, consider compatibility. Specific support materials adhere more effectively to some build materials than others. <\/p><\/section>\n

\"breakaway-2\"<\/div>\n
A part printed with Ultimaker Breakaway support material<\/div><\/div>\n

This table details which materials are compatible with our Breakaway support material:<\/p><\/section>\n

PLA<\/th>\nTough PLA<\/th>\nABS<\/th>\nNylon<\/th>\nCPE<\/th>\nCPE+<\/th>\nPC<\/th>\nTPU 95A<\/th>\nPP<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u24d8<\/td>\n\u24d8<\/td>\n\u2715<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/section>\n
<\/section>\n

Soluble support material. <\/b>Soluble support materials are a popular option for dual extrusion 3D printing. These supports dissolve in water, which means they don\u2019t adversely affect surface quality. They also offer exceptional design freedom. Soluble support material is the favored option for printing moving assemblies or precision end-use parts. <\/p>\n

Support blockers.<\/b> Sometimes, support material is added in holes that could be printed just as well without it. Surface quality is also less important on some parts of a model than others. In these instances, using the ‘support blockers’ function in Ultimaker Cura is highly effective.<\/p>\n

Functionality testing.<\/b> Always check that your supports can be reached, so they can be easily removed once the print is complete. For example, a section of support that\u2019s stuck inside your model may limit its functionality. <\/p>\n

PVA. <\/b>PVA is the most commonly used soluble support material. It dissolves quickly in water after printing, and even works with highly complex structures. Be aware that PVA attracts moisture, so it\u2019s important to store it properly when not in use.<\/p><\/section>\n

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A print with PVA supports submerged in water<\/div><\/div>\n
\"pla-1\"<\/div>\n
After submerging in water, PVA material will dissolve<\/div><\/div><\/section>\n

Here\u2019s a quick run-through of which materials are compatible to use with PVA:<\/p><\/section>\n

PLA<\/th>\nTough PLA<\/th>\nABS<\/th>\nNylon<\/th>\nCPE<\/th>\nCPE+<\/th>\nPC<\/th>\nTPU 95A<\/th>\nPP<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u24d8<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u24d8<\/td>\n\u2715<\/td>\n\u24d8<\/td>\n\u2715<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/section>\n
<\/section>\n

Our support material partner <\/h2>\n

Some higher-engineered applications require a higher temperature or a different type of material that does not bond well with normal PVA. For these applications, Ultimaker works with Infinite Material Solutions, which offers Infinite AquaSys\u00ae 120 as a solution. <\/p>\n

Infinite Material Solutions <\/h3>\n

Infinite Material Solutions Infinite AquaSys\u00ae 120<\/a> is easy to use, as it dissolves rapidly in tap water. It\u2019s also stable up to a 120 \u00b0C build chamber temperature, which makes it suitable for engineering thermoplastics.<\/p><\/section>\n

\"aquasys\"<\/div>\n
Parts printed with Infinite Material Solutions\u2019 Infinite AquaSys\u00ae 120<\/div><\/div>\n

\u201cPVA is an excellent option for providing support, but AquaSys\u00ae 120 offers certain advantages for specific applications. In head-to-head testing, AquaSys\u00ae 120 exhibited consistent model material compatibility and excellent dissolution rates,\u201d Larry Doerr, Chief Operating Officer, AND Brandon Cernohous,\u202fR&D Supervisor\/Production Operations at\u202fInfinite Material Solutions, said. \u201cSpecifically, AquaSys\u00ae 120 dissolved twice as fast as the PVA at room temperature, and up to six times faster at 80\u00b0C. And since it dissolves completely in only water \u2013 no chemicals required \u2013 AquaSys\u00ae 120 is also environmentally friendly.\u201d <\/p>\n

Infinite Aquasys\u00ae 120 is compatible with the following 3D printing materials:<\/p><\/section>\n

PLA<\/th>\nTough PLA<\/th>\nABS<\/th>\nNylon<\/th>\nCPE<\/th>\nCPE+<\/th>\nPC<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
\u2715<\/td>\n\u2715<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/section>\n
TPU 95A<\/th>\nPP<\/th>\nPVDF<\/th>\nPETG<\/th>\nPACF<\/th>\nPETCF<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td>\n\u2713<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/section>\n

If you\u2019d like to find out more about support materials with preconfigured print profiles for Ultimaker printers, you can find more by browsing the Ultimaker Marketplace<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can also explore Ultimaker\u2019s range of 3D printers that are compatible with support materials on our website.<\/p><\/section>\n

Discover Ultimaker 3D printers<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n