Bar supports for SLA and DLP printing

There are two types of resin-based printers on the market: bottom-up resin printers and top-down resin printers. In a bottom-up resin printer, the light source is below the resin tank. As the build plate lifts up from the resin tank (sometimes referred to as the vat), the part is printed upside down. In a top-down resin printer, the light source is above the build plate. As the build plate is submerged down into the resin tank with each layer, the part is printed right-side up. Both types of resin 3D printers require support structures for different purposes.

In top-down resin 3D printing, we need to generate support structures for overhanging surfaces similar to how we generated them for FFF 3D printing. However, the support structures we will generate for resin printers will most likely be bar supports instead of volume supports.

In top-down 3D printing, with each layer, the build plate is submerged further into a resin tank. As there is...