3D printing parameters for support

Adding supports to your 3D models is an extremely important step as it provides stability to the models, especially when overhanging and bridges are present. Supports are also needed to anchor your 3D print onto the building plate. Each support setting in CHITUBOX is explained in this article.

1. Z-Lift Height

Z-lift height is an important consideration when adding supports to a resin model in 3D printing. 

• This parameter setting refers to the vertical distance between the 3D models and the building plate. 
• Proper Z-lift height prevents models from sinking into rafts and reduces suction force during printing.

2. Top Part

Contact shape

• There are two options: Sphere and None.
• The “Sphere” contact shape adds a sphere at the tip of the supports, increasing the contact area between the print and the support.
• We recommend choosing “None”

Contact diameter (mm)

• This value changes the size of the Sphere. 
• If you choose “None” as the contact shape, your support settings will not be affected.

Contact depth (mm)

• This value indicates how deep the contact point will be inserted into the 3D model.

Connection shape

• CHITUBOX offers cone, pyramid, and skate as 3 connection shapes. 
• The 3 connection shapes don’t have any significant differences.

Upper diameter 

• This refers to the diameter of the support tip. 
• The thicker the upper diameter, the stronger the support will be.

Lower diameter

• This refers to the diameter of the bottom-top part. 
• Make sure the middle diameter and lower diameter are set at the same value.

Connection length

• This feature allows users to customize the connection length.

3. Middle Part

Shape

• Shapes offered by CHITUBOX include cylinder, cube, and prism which do not have any significant differences
• The cylinder is set as the system default.

Diameter (mm)

• This refers to the size of the supports’ main/middle part 
• Make sure the middle diameter and the lower diameter of the top are set at the same value.

Angle (°)

• This is the angle between the top and middle parts of the support.

4. Bottom Part

Platform Touch Shape

• Five types of bottom shapes are available in CHITUBOX: Skate, Cone, Cube, Cylinder, and Prism. 

Touch Diameter (mm) 

• This refers to the size of the platform touch shape. 
• This will also enhance your building plate adhesion.

Thickness

• This refers to how thick the platform touch shape will be. 

Model Contact Shape

• There are two options: Sphere and None. 
• The value chosen will adjust the supports that connect to the 3D model. 

Contact Diameter (mm)

• This value will change the size of the Sphere.
•  If you choose None as your contact shape, your settings will not be affected.

Contact Depth (mm)

• This determines how deep the support will be inserted into the model.

Contact Point 

• The number of connection points for the supports that connect to the model.

5. Raft 

Raft Shape 

• This refers to the shape of the raft (the first few layers that are attached to the building plate) 
• This helps to improve adhesion to the 3D model, making it easier for users to remove 3D prints from the building plate during post-processing. 
• There are two shape options for raft: “None” and “Skate”
• If you use “Skate” raft, make sure to set raft height and thickness at the same value to reduce suction force 

Raft Area Ratio (%) 

• This refers to the size of the raft.

Raft Thickness

• This refers to how thick the raft will be. 

Raft Height (mm) 

• This refers to the height of the raft. 
• Set the value slightly higher than the raft thickness so that prints can be easily removed from the building plate. 

Raft Slope (°)

• This refers to the angle of the raft edge. 
• This will help remove the model from the building plate during post-processing.

If you are beginners and have difficulty setting supports, just click here for more tips and tricks.