Why are support structures necessary for an SLA 3D Print Service but not SLS

But in 3D printing, diverse methods require different things to work right. We work with many different types of 3D printing at Whale-Stone, but what we often see is that some printing types require additional assistance in retaining the parts during the printing process. This assistance materializes in the shape of support. These supports aren’t necessary for all 3D prints, however. For instance, SLA printing typically requires them but SLS printing does not. Knowing why can help anyone get better prints, and save time and material. Let me describe why and how support structures are necessary components within SLA printing but not when it comes to SLS.

Why You Need Supports With SLA 3D Printing -But Not SLS

SLA (Stereolithography) works with a liquid resin that hardens when struck by a laser. In this process, the parts are constructed layer by layer and dangle in the resin tank. Because the resin is so liquid and still soft before it cures, parts that jut out or hang in space need something underneath them or against them to hold them up, otherwise they will fall down crooked. These supports are referred to as support structures. If you try to build a sandcastle with a sort of archway, for example, unless there’s something supporting it while the sand is wet, it’ll crumble down. That's the role of support structures in SLA printing they hold the part in place as it’s built. Without supports, parts with overhangs or fine details can snap or warp. “What we see a lot at Whale-Stone are customers that have attempted to do without supports, resulting in failed prints or messy cleanups,” said Watson. Supports are also used to prevent warping by securing the part in place on the build bed. But supports have negatives, too printed material and time extra for printing are just the start, and supports must be removed with care (leaving marks in the process). Nevertheless, they are required to obtain a good quality in the SLA printing.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) printing operates in a very different manner. That’s powder, not liquid! The printer adds layers of the powder, and a laser heats them just enough that they bond together. The cool thing is that the powder surrounding the part functions like a natural support. It secures the object while the laser does its work, so there are no extra supports required. And this powdered bed is able to support even the most complex shapes, including hollowed-out parts and sharp angles without any added material. At Whale-Stone, we like that SLS eliminates the need for supports saving time and material. And because the powder shields the part as it's made, there is less warping or contortion. Cleaning away the loose powder post-print is simple and doesn’t damage the part’s surface. SLS machines are expensive and require special care (lack of supports coming away is great, though. That translates into faster prints and less post-processing.

Why Do Sla 3D Printed Parts Need Supports Whereas Sls Print Does Not

The reason SLA certainly does need supports, whereas SLS doesn't have to, in a nutshell is materials & process. SLA begins with weak, liquid resin. If the part (or edge) has a shape sticking out, but floating above with nothing connecting to it, it will droop or fall if not supported. The printer is a bottom-up printer, and gravity is tugging at this soft resin. The supports are like the scaffolding around a building that is always under construction. They all support every part until it is strong enough to stand on its own. Here at Whale-Stone we always guide clients to carefully design supports that only make contact with the model where necessary. This prevents damage when removing supports, and maintains the surface finish smooth. It’s simply a technique that comes with experience, and lots of trial and error with various designs.

SLS, by contrast, works within a bed of powder to print. The powder envelops the part entirely and supports it from below, naturally. The powder doesn’t dissolve, so it serves as a cushion and support at once. What’s more, the laser only fuses the powder where the part is required, with the rest left loose. That is to say, the part can include complex shapes, undercuts or hollow volumes with no concern. Here at Whale-Stone, we love this technique as it is very versatile and industrial part friendly. There are no extra structures required, meaning less waste and less time fixing the part after it’s printed.

Ultimately, whether to use SLA or SLS printing will depend on the part’s requirements, price and its finished quality. SLA can provide extremely smooth finishes and fine detail but requires supports to eliminate failed prints. SLS works best for strong, complex parts with no supports, but the surface finish is rougher. At Whale-Stone, we have extensive expertise in both methods to help clients choose the right method and achieve exceptional results. Learn what they are and how they work to save time, money and hassle in your 3D printing workflow.

How Stuff Wiggles SLA Printing Resolution And Surface Finish Compared To Other 3D Printing Technologies

Supports are particularly crucial in SLA 3D printing for that very reason ultimately ensuring accurate and smooth to the touch models. SLA, which stands for Stereolithography, involves liquid resin that solidifies when a laser beam hits it. Some torrent section of the model about in the air or with edges. These parts could also fall over/ bend if no supports were used during printing. These parts are held in place by supportive structures so that the printer can build the model layer after layer properly.

At Whale-Stone, we understand that well-designed support is instrumental in maintaining the model’s perfect shape. Strong, well-placed supports make your printer perform better and your print looks better. The support supports prevent the layers from warping significantly and, as a result, edges and details come out pretty clean and sharp. For small toys and trinkets (jewelry), and when all the holes must be lined up just right, this is very important. If it doesn’t have any supports, resin can drip, or drag, resulting in rough surfaces, or mistakes.

But supports also made contact with the model, so where they attach can sometimes leave a tiny mark after you remove them. And so on Whale-Stone, we work really hard to figure out where supports should go, and those marks will be in less visible places. In this way, we maintain a surface that is smooth and an appearance that’s neat. Good supports that are a balance between holding the model strong and not ruining the final look. That’s why support structures are required for SLA 3D Print Service they aid in accuracy and surface finish, but need to be handled with care.

Typical Issues In SLA Supports And How To Solve Them

Using supports in an SLA print can be a little bit of a challenge, but at Whale-Stone we know how to deal with those well enough that you will get great results so don't worry! One issue is that supports may adhere too strongly. If supports adhere too securely to the model, removing them may snap off tiny parts or create rough patches. To avoid this, we develop supports which secure models well while building but are easy to break off subsequently.

A second issue is that too many supports also increase print time and resource waste. Additional supports slow print times and use more resin, increasing costs. Whale-Stone fixes this by selecting support placements carefully. We apply supports only where absolutely necessary, such as beneath overhangs or narrow areas, rather than blanketing the entire model. This allows you to save time and material without the fear of losing print quality.

Some supports can leave a mark or scar on the model surface after it’s taken off. We have special software and printing techniques for adding supports in less visible spots. Additionally, our experienced team after printing will flatten the model surface to eliminate any remaining defects. This post processing step ensures that the finished star has a polished, professional appearance.

Finally, supports can also lead to print failures when they are either too flimsy or too strong. To weak and parts drop during printing, too strong and removing the part is difficult. Whale-Stone varies support patterns for each model to achieve optimal trade-off. We do not have these problems because of years of experience and our customers receive prints that are both strong and gorgeous.

How Support Structures Affect Cost and Efficiency in SLA Printing for Wholesale Models

If you’re printing a batch of models, such as for wholesale, supports are a huge part of expense and efficiency. Here at Whale-Stone, we know that companies like their prints fast, cheap and yet good quality. Support structures influence all three of these variables when it comes to SLA printing.

First of all, supports contribute to extra resin consumption. The more supports there are, the more material that is required, making each print more expensive. When printing hundreds of objects, little extra amounts of resin really do add up. Whale-Stone tries to minimize supports, while also ensuring the prints are safe. This scrupulous planning helps keep prices lower for customers, who must order in bulk.

Second, supports increase printing time. Each added support adds time to form during printing. This is enough to grind the entire process to a halt in large orders. Given a model, we optimize the printer’s build layout and support placement at Whale-Stone as to minimize the needed printing time. This translates into more parts being printed faster, which can help companies stay on schedule.

Third, taking supports on and off of a bunch of prints is extra work and takes time. And if supports are difficult to remove or overly complex, finishing slows down and costs go up. Whale-Stone designing feet which is fast to remove and clean. Our expert team employs special tools and methods to make support removal faster and safer for your prints.

Long story short, supports in SLA 3D printing influence how much a project will cost and how quickly it can be completed. Whale-Stone’s know-how guarantees that an expensive-sounding order will nonetheless feature supports designed for the optimal balance between quality, cost and speed. This is why you need all those support structures for SLA printing but have to balance out carefully how many of them are needed to make any sort of bulk projects work.