A new supporting structure-free 3D printing method

What is it about?

Assisted supporting structures (ASs) are very important and are commonly used for the three-dimensional (3D) printing of overhanging structures to avoid collapse. However, this technique is not always effective, and many challenges remains in printing with ASs, such as low printing efficiency, a complicated process, material-wasting and high cost. Here, we propose a novel and simple printing strategy, inclined layer printing (ILP), which allows printing without ASs. The printed structures are sliced in an incline and overhanging structures are supported by adjacent layers under a suitable slicing angle. We demonstrate that ILP can be easily integrated into the current 3D printing process. To verify this method, we test a new model of filament section, which allows evaluation of the fabrication of the slice’s boundary.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

assisted supporting structures can caused material-wasting and high cost, here we present a new way to avoid this.