Blog - Supports

In FDM 3D printing, supports are structures that are added to a model during the printing process to help support overhanging features or other parts of the model that would otherwise droop or collapse without support.
When you slice a 3D model in your slicing software, the software will analyze the model and determine which parts of it will require supports. It will then add the supports to the model, which will be printed along with the rest of the object.
Supports are typically made of the same material as the model, and they are designed to be easily removed once the print is finished. They are usually printed at a lower density or with a thinner layer height than the rest of the model so that they can be easily broken away or cut off with pliers or a knife.

There are several types of support structures used in FDM 3D printing, including tree supports, linear supports, and crosshatch supports. Linear supports are the most common type as they usually provide the best surface quality but they can be the most material-consuming technique. Tree supports use less material and are shaped like a branching tree, with thicker support structures near the model and thinner ones as they extend away.
Supports are an important feature of FDM 3D printing, as they allow you to print more complex and intricate designs with overhanging or unsupported parts. However, they can also add time and material cost to the printing process, and they may leave behind small marks or scars on the finished print where they were attached. It is important to balance the need for supports with the desire for a clean and efficient printing process.