Sequential Support: 3D Printing Dissolvable Support Material for Time-Dependent Mechanisms

摘要: In this paper, we propose a different perspective on the use of support material: rather than printing structures for overhangs, our idea is to make its transient nature, i.e. fact that it can be dissolved when placed in solvent, such as water. This enables range new cases, quickly dissolving and replacing parts prototype during design iteration, temporary assembly labels directly object leave no marks dissolved, creating time-dependent mechanisms, fading an image shadow art piece or releasing relaxing scents from 3D printed structure sequentially overnight. Since regular material (PVA), approach works consumer printers without any modifications. To facilitate objects leverage dissolvable support, built custom editor plugin includes simulation showing how dissolves over time. evaluation, predicted geometries are statistically similar example shapes within 10% error across all samples.