Solid support

[stefan.fredrikssonZEG74]

Hello,
I'm wondering if there's a way to create a solid support that goes from the "baseplate" size all the way up to the detail but leaves a few millimeters in between so it doesn't stick together?

Today, I have to model a support myself by first creating a thick baseplate, then making an outer offset on the detail. After that, perform a Boolean operation on the outer offset against the baseplate.

What remains is my original piece placed in a cradle with a few millimeters of space to the baseplate.

Picture below is to show a simple case.

Thanks in advance

[Sualp.Ozel]

yes this is called a "Setter support"

look for a support action with this name in Netfabb Premium / Netfabb Ultimate and/or Fusion 360 + Additive Build Extension 

Here is the link to online help about this support action in Netfabb: https://help.autodesk.com/view/NETF/2024/ENU/?guid=GUID-0F3A1FCF-C366-49E7-A9C6-580DF57355EB 

Here is a link to a video about this support type for Netfabb:  https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kevin-mortzfield-80555132_friday-focus-tip-create-support-script-acti...

Here is the link to online help about this support action in Fusion 360: https://help.autodesk.com/view/fusion360/ENU/?guid=MFG-AM-HOW-TO-ADD-SETTER-SUPPORTS

Here is a link to a video about this support type for Fusion 360: https://youtu.be/vJCod8gnO1k?si=-ocY9Im5mWm9ZXmd&t=109

if you are satisfied with this response please select "Accept Solution"

[stefan.fredrikssonZEG74]

Thank you for your answer!

I will for sure try this out right away

//S

[steffen_anders_adsk]

Hello, @stefan.fredrikssonZEG74,

Alternatively, you can set the volume support to be generated as a closed shape with fragmentation disabled:

Advantages:

• It generates connections ("pins") in the same step. The pins can be disabled, this connects the volume directly to the part.
  • If you disable the pins, use Top distance to part to adjust the gap.
  • With pins enabled, adjust the height of the pins. Due to a bug, this currently requires a workaround: Switch Filling type to Structured, adjust Connection > Top connection to part > Connection height, then switch back to Closed volume and rerun the support script.
• Another advantage over a base setter is that it does not have a strict minimum height.

Disadvantages or differences to your initial requirement:

• May not be suitable if a joint, common plate between supported plateaus is a requirement. This may be mitigated with the dedicated Base plate action.
• Strictly speaking it does not support the shadow area of the part, only shadow areas of surfaces defined by surface angles.
• Can be smaller than those areas by an offset but can never be larger. A base setter can be made larger.

Either way, multiple support actions may be performed on the same part, with overlappings, and resolved later during toolpathing by unification of volumes (read: closed contours) at the slice level.

Best regards,

Steffen

[stefan.fredrikssonZEG74]

Hi,

at the moment we run Premium, and I don't see the "solid " script available in my drop down list in 2024. is it related to ultimate version?

[steffen_anders_adsk · Accepted solution]

Hello,

No, that is simply a custom script I created and named myself to only contain the Area with volume support action.

https://help.autodesk.com/view/NETF/2024/ENU/?guid=GUID-AFE2A2BB-8462-4B93-AEB7-4DA9BA3819A7

You would use the base setter action in Netfabb in the same way.

Best regards,

Steffen