3.Operation
UP! 3D Printer User Manual
29
There is always a delicate balance between
minimizing the amount of support material, versus
the quality of the part, versus the difficulty of
removing support material.
The orientation of the part on the print platform is
also critical in determining both how much support
material gets used, and also how difficult the
support material will be to remove.
As a general rule, it is easier to remove support
material from the outside of a part than from the
inside. As can be seen in the picture to the right,
the part would use a lot more support material if
printed with the opening facing downwards than if
it were facing upwards.
Space:
The distance between the lines of non-solid support material. Changing this
parameter requires some experience in balancing the quantity of support material used,
ease of support material removal, and part print quality.
Area:
The surface area above which support material gets used. When you choose
5mm
2
, for example, there will be no support if the overhanging area is less than 5mm
2
.
Benefit? A little material is saved and a slightly faster print speed is achieved.
Other Options
Stable Support:
Stable support creates support that is more solid, and the model is
less likely to distort, but the support material is then more difficult to remove.
