Silicone support for 3D printing

Support silicones play a crucial role in silicone 3D printing when dealing with complex geometries, overhangs, or sharp angles that may collapse during the printing process. These temporary structures provide stability to critical parts of the printed object until the silicone cures. After the cross-linking process is complete, supports are removed, leaving behind a high-precision silicone part with clean, accurate details.

Lynxter support silicones

Lynxter offers two specialized support silicones for the Lynxter S300X and S600D silicone 3D printers in 55 g syringe and 850 g cartridge format: SUP-001, a water-soluble material compatible with a wide range of silicones, and SUP-002, a breakaway support designed for polyurethane (PU) silicones. Each is tailored to meet the specific demands of different printing processes and materials, ensuring optimal performance and ease of use.

Image 1: The SUP-001 support silicone (yellow) during printing, during removal and after removal. Source: Lynxter.

SUP-001 dissolves easily in water, simplifying post-processing. Its non-toxic composition is safe for skin contact and environmentally friendly, as it can be flushed into standard wastewater systems. It leaves no residue on the printed silicone and does not interfere with the polyaddition reaction or alter the color of the printed material. SUP-001 is compatible with all Lynxter silicones, from industrial-grade SIL-001 to medical-grade formulations (Shore 5-50 A). It also withstands high temperatures (up to 110 ºC), making it suitable for heat-cured silicone applications.

Image 2: The SUP-002 support silicone (purple) during printing, during removal and after removal. Source: Lynxter.

SUP-002, designed for PU silicones like PU-001, can be removed manually after printing. Its safe, skin-friendly formulation poses no health risks, and the material can be disposed of as regular household waste. It supports polyurethane parts during curing without affecting the polymerization process or altering the material's appearance. This makes SUP-002 an ideal solution for applications requiring robust and precise support structures.