Support Creation

You can create various types of supports in several different ways using the Support Creation command in the Programming section of the action bar.

This page discusses:

Manual Support Creation

When Create Manual Supports is selected, the Manual Support Creation dialog box appears. You can use this dialog box to create defined supports in specific support zones, compute support zones, and view a quick preview of computed support zones.

You can manually define support zones by defining the Zone and Support parameters.

Zones Types

The available zone types are:

  • Surfaces
  • Edges
  • Points of a part

Zones Creation

Free Form and Primitive Shapes

Clicking Free Form allows you to draw the required support zone directly on the part in the work area.

Note: Free Form is only compatible with the Surface and Edge zone types.
You can also use a predefined primitive shape: rectangle , circle , triangle , diamond , or polyline .
Using the context toolbar, you can:
  • : Draw an open curve on a zone to remove sections of the zone border. Ensure that the visible geometry on which you are drawing is the geometry that is defined as the one to produce when preparing the part and defining the regions.

    Example:

    Before After

  • : Offset a free form zone contour. An offset can be applied to both sides of a zone contour.
  • : Modify the zone's contour by adding or removing part of it, either freehand, or with a primitive shape (rectangle , circle , triangle , diamond , or polyline ).
Sectioning
Clicking Sectioning allows you to define a sectioning plane in the work area. Use the Robot to position the plane. Clicking Sectioning again hide the plane and the part becomes fully visible again.

Support Structure Propagation

You can propagate the current part to a product support structure on positioned part, using Propagate Structure.

The Propagate On dialog box displays all the valid, eligible instances for support propagation.

This option is only displayed if:

  • The positioned part has calculated support structures.
  • There is more than one occurrence of the positioned part that originates from a singular part to produce.

It is only possible to propagate support structures if the two positioned parts are defined along the same X-Y plane and have the same rotation along the Z-axis.

Copy Support Properties

You can copy the shape of the current support to a selection of other supports.

This command can be accessed by:

  • Clicking Copy Properties from the context toolbar that appears when you select a support structure in the work area.
  • Clicking Copy Supports to other instances from the support context menu in the manufacturing view.

Only supports with an identical structure (surface, edge, or point) can be selected for duplication.

Support Structure Assessment

You can specify various support parameters using the Support Structure Assessment dialog box.

Open the Support Structure Assessment dialog box by doing one of the following:

  • Click Quick Support Analysis from the context toolbar in the work area when establishing the build layout.
  • Click Analysis from the Generate Support Structure dialog box.

You can use the Support Structure Assessment dialog box to:

  • Edit the minimum surface angle for the set of facets needing supports.
  • Edit the maximum surface angle for the set of facets needing supports.
  • Edit the orientation of the part using the Robot while the command is active. This command dynamically evaluates the surface area for the modified orientation.

Based on the color chosen for the minimum/maximum surface angle, color legend updates itself, and the color changes gets reflected on the facets of the overhanging parts.

The following parameters can be modified:

Parameter Description
Minimum surface angle Specifies the minimum surface angle allowed on the part.
Maximum surface angle Specifies the maximum surface angle allowed on the part.
Transparency Specifies the transparency of the color visualization.
Supported Zones Area Indicates the computed surface area of the support zone. This measurement is given in square meters.
Supported Edge Length Indicates the computed surface area of the edge length. This measurement is given in square millimeters.
Number of Supported Points Indicates the number of supported points.
Occlusion WRT Front-face

True: Displays only the previewed zones visible in the current view.

False: Displays all previewed zones.

Wire Support Edition

You can select, edit, and delete wire support structures in the work area.

Use the commands in the context toolbar to edit or delete a selected support structure face.

You can also use the Scaling command to display a Robot that allows you to scale supports on the bottom or an intermediate level.

Note: This command is only available with wire support structures.

Wire Angled Support Creation

You can create an angled wired support structure.

Select a wired support in the work area, then select Edit Supports from the context toolbar. Manipulation points appear in the work area if it is possible to create an angled support structure. Points that appear in red cannot be manipulated, whereas points that appear in green are open to manipulation.



Clicking a green manipulation point displays a Robot that you can use to define the various angles of the angled support. Moving the Robot dynamically recomputes the support structure.

Along the X-axis:

Along the X and Y-axis:

When you are finished, use the context toolbar to validate, reject, or revert your changes.



Rules for Generating Supports

You can generate supports by creating rules that apply to the whole part or to specific zones of the part only.

Assign or edit a support rule using:

  • Create or Edit Rules command in the Generate Support Structure dialog box.
  • Rules Management command in the Setup section of the action bar.

Note: Before creating support structure rules, you must define zones on the part where supports need to be specified, and choose a shape for the supports.

Zones

Lets you define an area on the part where to generate supports. A zone corresponds to an area defined between a minimum angle value and a maximum angle value.

You can generate supports on:

  • Surfaces
  • Edges
  • Points

Depending on the zone selected, the following parameters are available:

Surface
Parameter Description
Minimum Surface Angle Minimum angle between the part surface and build tray surface. The value must be less than 90°.
Maximum Surface Angle Maximum angle between the part surface and build tray surface. The value must be greater than or equal to 0.
Minimal Surface Width Precision of the zone computation.
Tolerance Specifies the maximum deviation allowed between the design part and the manufactured part.
Ground Type Lets you decide if the roots of the support structure stand on the build tray, on the part or on both.
Edge
Parameter Description
Minimum Edge Angle Minimum angle between the part edge and build tray surface. The value must be less than 90°.
Maximum Edge Angle Maximum angle between the part edge and build tray surface. The value must be greater than or equal to 0.
Computation

Lets you specify the support's computation method:

Can be either:

  • All: follows the sharp edges
  • Lowest line: detects the lowest line on the part.
Minimum Length Minimum length of the lowest line.
Note: Only available if Computation is set to Lowest line.
Exclude Edge Already Supported Ignores the part edges at an angle that equals the maximum angle value with respect to the build tray.
Maximum Angle for Zones Already Supported Maximum angle allowed between the part surface and build tray. This value is used for the Exclude edges included in surfaces supported parameter.
Ground Type Lets you decide if the roots of the support structure stand on the build tray, on the part or on both.
Point
Parameter Description
Exclude Points Included in Surfaces and Edges Supported When selected, ignores the points of the part at an angle that equals the maximum angle value with respect to the build tray.
Maximum Angle for Zones Already Supported Maximum angle allowed between the part surface and build tray.
Ground Type Lets you decide if the roots of the support structure stand on the build tray, on the part or on both.

Shapes

The following shapes are available for supports:

  • Wire
  • Conical
  • Tree
  • Volume
  • None

Wire Conical Tree Volume

Depending on the type of zone selected (Surface, Edge, or Point), the following parameters are available:

Parameter Description
Pattern Type Lets you choose between an offset or grid pattern.
Spacing Specifies the density of the pattern.
Radial Offset Specifies the offset spacing.
Direction angle Specifies the direction of the grid support structure. See Additional Wire Support Parameters.
Z Offset to Top Creates a void between the support structure boundary and the top zone.
Z Offset to Bottom Creates a void between the support structure boundary and the bottom zone.
Rib width Specifies the width of the transverse reinforcement.
With envelope Creates an additional wire that follows the peripheral loop of the surface zone.
Fragmentation See Additional Wire Support Parameters.
Fillet Adds fillet perforations on the support.

Parameter Description
Cone Radius Specifies the radius of all the nodes in direct contact with the part.
Space Between Cones Specifies the distance between cones to control the density of the supports.
Radial Offset Specifies the offset spacing.
Z Offset to Top Creates a void between the support structure boundary and the top zone.
Z Offset to Bottom Creates a void between the support structure boundary and the bottom zone.
Fillet Adds fillet perforations on the support.

Parameter Description
Leaf Radius Specifies the radius of all the nodes in direct contact with the part.
Radius Increase Rate Specifies the rate at which the tree thickens from the leaves to the root of the tree.
Branch Internal Thickness Specifies the skin thickness for hollow branches. If the value equals zero, the branches are considered solid.
Maximum Angle Specifies the maximum angle allowed for branches with respect to the building direction.
Space Between Leaves Specifies the spacing between leaves to control the density of the tree.
Radial Offset Specifies the offset spacing.
Z Offset to Top Creates a void between the support structure boundary and the top zone.
Z Offset to Bottom Creates a void between the support structure boundary and the bottom zone.
Fillet Adds fillet perforations on the support.

Parameter Description
Motif Customizes the solid structure by letting you select any polyhedral motif you have created.
Scale Specifies the scaling factor applied to the motif before replication, to control the density of the lattice structure.
Skin Thickness Creates a solid skin around the lattice structure when you specify a value.
Z Offset to Top Creates a void between the support structure boundary and the top zone.
Z Offset to Bottom Creates a void between the support structure boundary and the bottom zone.
Fillet Adds fillet perforations on the support.
Note: Negative values are accepted for Offset on Volume supports. With negative values, the support structure penetrates the part, but not the build tray.

Additional Wire Support Parameters

Direction Angle
Available with the Grid pattern, the Direction Angle parameter allows you to change the direction of the grid support structure.

Below are some examples:

Direction Angle at 0° Direction Angle at 30°




Fragmentation
If the With Fragmentation check box is activated, supports can be fragmented along the X or Y axis. The following parameters are available:
Parameter Definition
Fragmentation Block Size Factor (X) Specifies the grid step size along the X-axis.
Fragmentation Block Size Factor (Y) Specifies the grid step size along the Y-axis.
Fragmentation Clearance Specifies the distance between fragmentation blocks.
Envelope Fragmentation Specifies if fragmentation is to occur on the build envelope.

Below are some examples:

No fragmentation Fragmentation along the X-axis Fragmentation along the Y-axis Fragmentation along the X and Y axis No fragmentation on envelope










Perforation

Perforation can be applied to the entirety of a wired support structure. This option allows you to generate holes on the support structure that allows thermal dissipation and powder extraction after building the part. Four types of perforation can be applied: Diamond, Rectangular, Circular, or Ellipsis.

Diamond
The following parameters are available:
Legend Parameter Definition
i1 Width Specifies the perforation width.
i2 Diamond Thickness Specifies the smallest distance between perforations.
i3 Diamond Angle Specifies the degree of the diamond angle.
i4 Extension Height Specifies the height of the central rectangle of the diamond.
i5 Vertical Shift from Top Specifies the distance from top to begin perforations.
i6 Lateral Shift Specifies the distance from sides to begin perforations.
i7 Vertical Shift from Bottom Specifies the distance from bottom to begin perforations.


Rectangular
The following parameters are available:
Legend Parameter Definition
i1 Height Specifies the perforation height.
i2 Width Specifies the perforation width.
i3 Horizontal Spacing Specifies the horizontal distance between two perforations.
i4 Vertical Spacing Specifies the vertical distance between two perforations.
i5 Odd Line Shift Specifies the distance from sides to begin perforations on an odd line.
i6 Even Line Shift Specifies the distance from sides to begin perforations on an even line.
i7 Vertical Shift from Top Specifies the distance from top to begin perforations.
i8 Vertical Shift from Bottom Specifies the distance from bottom to begin perforations.


Circular
The following parameters are available:
Legend Parameter Definition
i1 Radius Specifies the perforation radius.
i2 Horizontal Spacing Specifies the horizontal distance between two perforations.
i3 Vertical Spacing Specifies the vertical distance between two perforations.
i4 Odd Line Shift Specifies the distance from sides to begin perforations on an odd line.
i5 Even Line Shift Specifies the distance from sides to begin perforations on an even line.
i6 Vertical Shift from Top Specifies the distance from top to begin perforations.
i7 Vertical Spacing from Bottom Specifies the distance from bottom to begin perforations.
Ellipsis
The following parameters are available:
Legend Parameter Definition
i1 Height Specifies the perforation height.
i2 Width Specifies the perforation width.
i3 Horizontal Spacing Specifies the horizontal distance between two perforations.
i4 Vertical Spacing Specifies the vertical distance between two perforations.
i5 Odd Line Shift Specifies the distance from sides to begin perforations on an odd line.
i6 Even Line Shift Specifies the distance from sides to begin perforations on an even line.
i7 Vertical Shift from Top Specifies the distance from top to begin perforations.
i8 Vertical Shift from Bottom Specifies the distance from bottom to begin perforations.

Fillet

Fillet on Wire
Legend Parameter Definition
i1 Fillet Radius Specifies the perforation radius
i2 Fillet Wired Spacing Specifies the perforation spacing.
i3 Fillet Wired Offset Specifies the perforation offset.
For the Perforation parameters, see Perforation.
Fillet on Conical, Tree, and Volumic Shapes
  • Fillet on Conical and Tree Shapes

    Legend Parameter Definition
    i1 Fillet Radius Specifies the perforation radius

  • Fillet on Volumic Shape

    Legend Parameter Definition
    i1 Fillet Height Specifies the perforation height
    i2 Fillet Radius Specifies the perforation radius

The perforations are defined by their shape, their spacing pattern, and their depth.
Perforation Shape
  • Cylindrical

    Legend Parameter Definition
    i1 Height Specifies the perforation height
    i2 Width Specifies the perforation width
    i3 Top Radius Specifies the perforation top radius
    i4 Bottom Radius Specifies the perforation bottom radius

  • Ovoid

    Legend Parameter Definition
    i1 Height Specifies the perforation height
    i2 Width Specifies the perforation width
    i3 Top Height Specifies the perforation top height
    i4 Bottom Radius Specifies the perforation bottom radius

  • Triangular

    Legend Parameter Definition
    i1 Height Specifies the perforation height
    i2 Width Specifies the perforation width
    i3 Top Height Specifies the perforation top height
    i4 Bottom Radius Specifies the perforation bottom radius

Spacing Pattern Type
  • Curvilinear

    Legend Parameter Definition
    i1 Step Specifies the spacing between the perforation along the curve
    i2 Lenght Specifies the perforation depth

  • Mono-directional

    Note: The perforations are perpendicular to a reference direction (by default X Ref Axis).

    Legend Parameter Definition
    i1 Additional Angle to X Ref axis Specifies the angle between X Ref axis and the reference direction
    i2 Step Specifies the spacing between the perforations along the reference direction
    i3 Lenght Specifies the perforation depth
    Note: Unavailable if Depth Type is set as Up to next.

  • XY Grid

    Note: The perforations are perpendicular to a reference direction (by default X Ref Axis) and along the reference direction.

    Legend Parameter Definition
    i1 Additional Angle to X Ref axis Specifies the angle between X Ref axis and the reference direction
    i2 X Step Specifies the spacing between the perforations along the reference direction
    i3 Y Step Specifies the spacing between the perforations along the direction perpendicular to the reference direction.
    i4 Lenght Specifies the perforation depth
    Note: Unavailable if Depth Type is set as Up to next.

Depth
Type Description
Fixed The perforation depth is limited by a fixed value.
Up to next The perforation goes through the support.
Note: If Spacing pattern type is defined as Curvilinear, this is unavailable.

Rules for Generating Anchors

It is possible to define anchors between the supports and part. Anchors are thinner than supports, allowing you to remove the support structure from the manufactured part.

Anchors have a shape similar to the one below:

When using anchors, the part is automatically subdivided into geometric shapes. One geometry shape corresponds to one anchor. It is possible to customize the geometry shape associated with one anchor by modifying the value of the Grid length or Space between anchor points parameters.

To define anchors, select the With anchors check box in the dialog box that appears when you select a shape for a support. The following parameters are available:

The following parameters are available:

Parameter Description
With Anchor Supports Specifies if anchor support is defined or not.
No Anchor on Build Tray Specifies if anchors are defined on the build tray or not.
Penetration Length Specifies the distance that the top or bottom of the anchor penetrates the part.
Note: Anchors cannot penetrate the build tray.
Base Radius Largest anchor radius. It is identified by in the image above.
Shrinking Rate With the Shrinking Position Rate, determines the middle radius of the anchor.
Note: The middle radius is identified by in the image above.
Shrinking Position Rate With the Shrinking Rate, determines the middle radius of the anchor.
Note: The middle radius is identified by in the image above.
Height Distance between the two extremities of the anchor. It is identified by in the image above.
Distance Between Anchors Distance between the center point of each anchor.
Same as Top Specifies if identical anchors are defined on the low part of the supports.