Generating offset of the existing estructure

[augusto_pozzebon]

Hello,

I hope this message finds you well.

I’m working on replicating the support structure recommended by our printer technician here at the university lab. The structure I generated is shown on the left, while the target structure is on the right. Although they appear similar, I would like to replicate the cascading/offset details seen in the target design.

I attempted to achieve this effect using hatches at the platform connection, but the result didn’t match my expectations. Could you provide any guidance or suggestions to help me achieve this cascading structure?

Thank you in advance for your help!

[steffen_anders_adsk · Accepted solution]

Hello, @augusto_pozzebon,

Welcome to the Netfabb forum!

There is no ready-to-use function in Netfabb to generate this particular structure. You could, however, add either Polyline around volumes or Polyline on cluster contours to the support script and enable gussets in those actions using the Triangles on platform parameter. This would reinforce the platform contact, too. When you do, you might need to adjust contour distances for the original volume support and possibly disable generation of its contours as well if collinear remelting needs to be minimized.

You could also simply use the Base plate support action and specify a certain angle for the circumference using the Taper angle parameter. Note, however, that base plates are closed-volume support elements that are likely to be exposed with different laser and hatching parameters. Which could be an advantage again: If you have access to the toolpath generation logic, you could redefine the strategy for closed-volume supports to be a series of inner offsets which would effectively reproduce on the slice level what you tried to enforce on mesh level with those concentric open boxes.

Best regards,

Steffen

[augusto_pozzebon]

Hi, Steffen!

Thanks for your help. I'll use the "Triangles on Platform" option. We are printing ceramics using LCM technology with Lithoz CeraFab L30 printer. So I guess I could try editing the image stack...I'm quite new to this field so I'm still learning. 
Once again, thank you. 
Best regards, 
Augusto

[steffen_anders_adsk]

There is a setting to auto-generate such parallel hatchable lines for some support actions. This might be suitable to your requirements.

When configuring the generation parameters, use Structure properties > Connection > Platform connection > Hatches. This setting repeats the connection geometry on both sides of the original to decreasing heights, the number giving the total count of hatches including the original.

In the online help: Volume support properties > Connection