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Contact region in Z Pin contact Single point contact
Support
Support cells: Support cells define the regions of the support volume where the support
geometry is tied to the parts. Thus, no cover grid is needed for support cells. Prior to the
generation of connecting geometry, adjacent support cells are combined into larger support cells
and thus "thinned out". The maximum size of those combined cells can be defined by the
parameter support cell max. In order to keep the contact to the part and the support volume at a
minimum at the same time, the connection is realised by a so-called "pin contact" as a standard.
In this connection, small support edges in the form of support crosses are generated in the
corners of the sidewalls of each cell. Their length is defined by the parameter pin size. (The
maximum length of the cross edges corresponds thus to the double value of the pin size.) In
direction of Z, the height of the pin goes by the defined voxel height. An even slighter contact to
the part can be achieved by the application of single-point contacts. This function generates only
one support edge with a length of zero in each of the corners of a support cell. This produces a
single support point whose maximum dimensions correspond to the spot size of the employed
machine. Single-point contacts are generated if the value for the parameter support point at is
larger than or equal to the value for pin size.
Support socked incl. part in 2D Generated support socked without part in 3D
Support socket: Underneath the part, a support socket connecting the part with the build
platform is generated. The support socket consists of the support socket base linked to the build
platform, and the socket set-up that lies on top. The height of the socket basis can be adjusted
to a defined slice thickness by the parameter base height, whereas at least one base layer is
produced. The socket base is generated as a stable reticule with grid cells corresponding to the
engendered voxels, and the shape of the socked base corresponds to the generated support
volume. The lowest connection layer of the socket set-up lying above the socket base is made
up by the generation of the cover grid on top of each base cell. All further socket layers are
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