In the 3D printing mold process, the support structure plays a key role. Its reasonable design and effective removal are crucial to ensure mold quality and printing efficiency.
First of all, the design of the support structure needs to take into account many factors. In the overhanging parts of the mold, such as undercuts, deep cavity inner walls, etc., supports must be added to prevent material collapse during printing. The layout of the support structure should be planned according to the shape and force characteristics of the mold. For example, for large-area overhanging surfaces, grid-shaped supports can be used to evenly disperse gravity; while in key force-bearing parts, more solid columnar or block supports need to be designed. At the same time, the connection method between the support and the mold body should be considered to ensure that the connection is stable and easy to remove later. Generally, a small contact area and a connection structure that is easy to break are used.
In terms of material selection, support materials are usually different from mold printing materials. Common support materials have a lower melting point or strength so that they can be removed relatively easily after printing. For example, in printing with PLA as the mold material, water-soluble PVA can be selected as the support material. This material can be dissolved and removed by soaking in water after printing, greatly reducing the risk of damage to the mold surface.
In terms of design software, many 3D modeling software now have a dedicated support structure generation function. Designers only need to input the model data of the mold, and the software can automatically generate support structures according to the preset parameters, and can adjust and optimize the density, angle, height, etc. of the support to improve design efficiency and accuracy.
After printing, the removal of the support structure is a delicate job. For supports with mechanical connections, tools such as pliers and tweezers can be used to carefully break or remove them. However, special attention should be paid to avoid scratches or damage to the mold surface during operation. For soluble support materials, such as the PVA water-soluble support mentioned above, the printed mold needs to be immersed in water at a suitable temperature, and the immersion time should be controlled to ensure that the support is completely dissolved. At the same time, the residual support material should be cleaned in time to prevent it from adhering to the mold surface again.
In addition, after removing the support structure, the mold surface often needs to be further processed. Since the contact part between the support and the mold may leave marks or be uneven, it is necessary to restore the finish of the mold surface through grinding, polishing and other processes to meet the use requirements of the mold.
With the continuous development of technology, some new support structure design and removal technologies are also emerging. For example, using degradable support materials that automatically decompose under specific environmental conditions; or using laser technology to selectively weaken the connection between the support and the mold to facilitate subsequent removal. These new technologies are expected to further improve the quality and production efficiency of 3D printing molds and promote the widespread application of 3D printing molds in more fields.
