About this Block
What it does: The Manufacturing Support Beams block generates beam-based support structures under points on a body that require support for additive manufacturing. It identifies these regions based on a user-defined overhang angle relative to the build plane. Common uses:- Automating the generation of support structures for additive manufacturing build preparation.
- Creating efficient, easily removable lattice-based or single-face mesh supports.
- Reducing manual intervention and “clicks” in the build prep process.
- Spacing: This input defines the distance between support points on the build plane. A smaller spacing increases the number of calculated support points, which improves support density but increases algorithmic computation time.
- Overhang Angle: Regions on the body with a shallower angle than this value (relative to the build plane) will receive support structures.
- Min Overhang Angle: Use this optional parameter to define a minimum threshold, confining the support volume only to a specific angular range.
- Support Region: You can choose to build supports for internal regions, external regions, or both.
Example File
Download Example: Manufacturing Support Beams
Generate beams under the points needing support on a body for an additive manufacturing process based on overhang angle.