<p>Print orientation is usually the key to print with a minimum of supports. If you print this part with the sharp point down, you will get some support structures on the outside for overhang support to prevent it from tipping over, but no support on the inside.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-24T16:15:16.397Z
I wonder whether it's possible to print **flexible** items with this much complexity without some internal support.  My guess is that the allowable overhang angle is much less than for rigid materials.
Carl Witthoft
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-24T17:19:08.710Z
I think it's dependent on the softness of the filament. I saw a video where the guy printed a glove (with TPU I think) and it seemed to print alright without supports. I doubt something like ninjaflex would be as simple.
Lux Claridge
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-24T19:48:19.760Z
@CarlWitthoft Fortunately, the overhang angle for support generation is a parameter in the slicer settings.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-24T06:56:16.023Z
2019-01-24T06:56:16.023Z
0scar
<p>I need to print a flexible, hollow "sleeve" or "cover" for an elongated part, kind of like a soft "skin" for a "finger" (see pic). I'm not sure how to approach the hollow space problem, i.e. how to print a flexible surface that is above an enclosed, hollow space. I could print supports inside, but they'd be hard to remove from inside the space, because I can't quite access all corners with a tool from outside. I could print this in 2 parts ("bottom" / "walls" + "ceiling" separately), but I'd prefer not to glue if I don't have to. Any ideas how to approach this?</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/lTliF.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/lTliF.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<support-structures><flexible>
Flexible filament how to print a hollow "sleeve"
MrSparkly
# Flexible filament how to print a hollow "sleeve"

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-01-24)

I need to print a flexible, hollow "sleeve" or "cover" for an elongated part, kind of like a soft "skin" for a "finger" (see pic). I'm not sure how to approach the hollow space problem, i.e. how to print a flexible surface that is above an enclosed, hollow space. I could print supports inside, but they'd be hard to remove from inside the space, because I can't quite access all corners with a tool from outside. I could print this in 2 parts ("bottom" / "walls" + "ceiling" separately), but I'd prefer not to glue if I don't have to. Any ideas how to approach this?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/lTliF.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/lTliF.jpg)

**Tags:** support-structures, flexible

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-01-24. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

Print orientation is usually the key to print with a minimum of supports. If you print this part with the sharp point down, you will get some support structures on the outside for overhang support to prevent it from tipping over, but no support on the inside.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I wonder whether it's possible to print **flexible** items with this much complexity without some internal support.  My guess is that the allowable overhang angle is much less than for rigid materials.  
> **username_3**: I think it's dependent on the softness of the filament. I saw a video where the guy printed a glove (with TPU I think) and it seemed to print alright without supports. I doubt something like ninjaflex would be as simple.  
> **username_1**: @CarlWitthoft Fortunately, the overhang angle for support generation is a parameter in the slicer settings.  

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