Metal Powder-Bed Printing Without Support Structures
Support structures are unwanted within enclosed structures where support removal is impossible. NoSupports 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.
Get a FREE trial license to try NoSupports
With the free trial license, NoSupports is available within 3DXpert’s support manager and can drastically reduce the self-supporting angle while maintaining a high-quality surface finish.
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Key benefits of using NoSupports
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Eliminating supports in direct metal printing (DMP) improves part production efficiency without compromising on part quality.
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Reduce Time and Costs
Eliminating supports accelerates part production and delivery. Reduce the cost of labor and minimize material waste. Less supports means less scrap and post-processing which expediting build times.
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Improve Repeatability
NoSupports strategies improve dimensional repeatability and surface homogeneity while empowering expanded design freedom and advanced print capabilities such as nesting.
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Unlock New Applications
Discover new possibilities such as complex geometries, and enclosed channels not previously possible. Less supports means quicker builds and faster turnaround on design iterations.
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Expedite Post-Processing
If no supports are used, you eliminate the need for their removal during post-processing, significantly reducing the time to delivery.
Real-World NoSupports Applications
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Acetabular Cups
NoSupports build strategies make acetabular cup production even more cost-effective by using a supportless stacking configuration. This approach saves time, reduces labor cost and minimizes material waste, while improving dimensional repeatability.
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Turbo Pump Casing
The turbo pump casing with a diameter of 455 mm was printed seamless in 75 hours on the DMP Factory 500. This cost-competitive solution was achieved by combining the high-productivity Ni718 parameters with 3D Systems NoSupports build strategies.
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VSP® Fibula Guide
NoSupports strategies combined with design for AM (DfAM) practices enable you to rapidly produce mass personalized devices—such as this titanium 3D printed fibula cutting guide—without compromising on part quality.
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.
Expand Design Capabilities and Reduce Costs: Metal Printing with 3DXpert’s NoSupports™
Explore how NoSupports technology, combined with high-productivity printing strategies, can improve efficiency, shorten lead times, and lower costs throughout the entire additive manufacturing workflow, all while maintaining superior part quality. Don't miss this opportunity to revolutionize your approach to metal printing. Watch now and take the first step towards transforming your additive manufacturing process.
Key learning objectives include:
- Understand the value proposition and typical use cases of NoSupports technology in Direct Metal Printing.
- Gain insights from compelling case studies covering healthcare and industrial applications using NoSupports and high-productivity printing technology.
- Explore the ways in which NoSupports technology, combined with high-productivity printing, can improve efficiency, shorten lead times, and lower costs throughout the entire additive manufacturing workflow.
- Discover how to maintain superior part quality while implementing NoSupports technology in Direct Metal Printing.
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