Script for custom supports for 3D printed parts

daniel_splawski

I was thinking about writing a script to automatically generate supports for 3D printed parts.  Initially I was thinking about selecting a set of surfaces to support, a face that represents the build plate and an offset distance to control how close the supports get to the final part.  I was thinking it would function something like the Rib script.  

Does anyone have any thoughts or pointers that might help me get started?

kevin_o_toole_1

Can you link to an Onshape part or an image with the kind of geometry you want to make? Is this the kind of thing you could do with the rib feature right now, if it had an offset distance?

daniel_splawski

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/40c9d3de316d6f72cfdc68c5/w/b007841993eeba1ece0d8f9a/e/1ef89504b5ad2eb70ed027dd

I usually just use something like the junk hanging off the side of the "hanger" part in this model.  They're only connected using a 1mm x 1mm area just to make the orientation in the assembly easier.  I find that having the supports 0.2mm from the part works well.   As far as the pattern is concerned, I usually just make something that works for the part when doing it by hand.  I've seen zig zag's and lines in the past.