Post : Soluble support structure can be used with any extruder-based 3D printer
URL : http://hackaday.com/2013/03/01/soluble-support-structure-can-be-used-with-any-extruder-based-3d-printer/
Posted : March 1, 2013 at 8:01 am
Author : Mike Szczys
Tags : abs, high-impact polystyrene, hips, polystyrene
Categories : 3d Printer hacks, chemistry hacks

http://hackadaycom.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/3d-printing-soluble-support-structure.png

One of the issues with extruder-based 3D printing is that it can be very difficult to print objects that have voids in them. You simply must have something to deposit the soft material on until it has a chance to harden. [Matt] found a solution which should work for any extruder-based printer (with one caveat we'll get to in a minute). He prints a support structure out of HIPS then later dissolves it using Limonene (http://www.3dppvd.org/wp/2013/02/soluble-support-material/) . The image on the left shows the object soaking for 24 hours. The final project is seen beside it.

The only real problem with this technique is that it requires a second extruder. Since printers build objects by layers, switching material in a single print head isn't an option. HIPS stands for High-Impact Polystyrene (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystyrene#Copolymers) . It extrudes at the same temperature as the ABS (235C) and adheres well to a heated bed kept at 115C. ABS will be unaffected by the hydrocarbon solvent Limonene (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limonene) , except for the residual smell of citrus.

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