Less is More with NoSupports
Metal Powder-Bed Printing Without Support Structures
Support structures are unwanted within enclosed structures where support removal is impossible. NoSupportsTM allows you to:
- Print large internal channels and cavities without supports
- Improve surface homogeneity in downfacing overhang zones
- Reduce the risk for dimensional variation caused by manual finishing.
Powered by 3DXpert® software, NoSupports expands the design envelope, accelerates design cycles and unlocks new applications.
Apply NoSupports to Your Advanced Application
NoSupport build strategies are available for:
- DMP Flex/Factory 350 (Dual) using LaserForm Ti Gr23, LaserForm Ni718
- DMP Factory 500 using LaserForm Ni718
Find out how 3D Systems' team of application experts can help you apply NoSupports on your application and benefit from reduced cost, shorter delivery time and accelerated design cycles.
An optimized DMP build design with NoSupports strategies. The reductions achieved using NoSupports were 69% fewer supports, 14% shorter print time, 69% reduction in labor cost.
DMP build design using traditional supports.
Real-World NoSupports Applications
Design Guide: Printing with NoSupports
Metal AM makes it possible to produce high performing components that defy conventional manufacturing limitations. Every manufacturing process has its nuances, and for metal AM this is the need for certain geometries to be printed with support structures. However, the need for supports is not universal. The strategies within this guide offer ways to print successfully without them.
Webinar: NoSupports™ Metal Printing
Past methods for supporting metal additive manufactured (AM) parts have imposed limitations on part design. The increased complexity associated with removing supports has added cost and lead time to the process, and some parts and applications have even been disqualified from AM due to support-based issues.
Together with 3D Systems’ leading expertise and machine platforms, our 3DXpert software package has advanced metal AM capabilities to help expand your design envelope with features such as multi-exposure and thermal blades to help you realize the goal of no supports. Multi-exposure can drastically reduce the self-supporting angle while maintaining a high-quality surface finish, and thermal blades provide a structure to transfer heat and control the weld process for the lowest-angle features without welding to the part.
Topics covered in this webinar include:
- The historical challenge of minimum support angles
- 3DXpert tools for advanced segmentation and parameter assignment
- Multi-exposure strategies
- Thermal blades strategies
3DXpert
The 3DXpert software package has advanced metal AM capabilities to expand your design envelope with features such as multi-exposure and thermal blades to print without supports. 3DXpert is an all-in-one integrated software for the entire AM workflow. It provides the ultimate combination of automation and full user control.
- Parametric and history-based hybrid (b-rep and mesh) CAD tools
- History-based approach facilitates changes at any stage
- Built-in simulation speeds up design verification
- Optimize print strategies to ensure quality at reduced printing time