<p>Test out a couple different types and z distances. I've found that the 'lines' type on Cura turns out very well - they are generally easy to remove and leave few artifacts on the part. Some types of support I've found to be much more difficult to remove than others, I would recommend 'lines' or 'zig zag'. See the link at the bottom for all possible values.</p>
<h3>Z distance</h3>
<p>Beyond switching over to 'lines' instead of 'concentric' this is the one that I've found has the most impact on the how easy it is to remove supports. You want this to be  as large as possible while still providing sufficient support. Do a couple test print, increasing this value until the detail start to get bad, then lower it just a bit.</p>
<h3>Current link for Cura setting explanations</h3>
<p><a href="https://ultimaker.com/en/resources/20422-cura-support-settings" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://ultimaker.com/en/resources/20422-cura-support-settings</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-17T18:51:09.073Z
Welcome to 3dPrinting.SE! If the settings which are posted on the ultimaker site are important to your answer, please just copy them over here and leave the link in place. While this has a little more information in it than a "link only answer", it's not much beyond that. Please bring the information over as the link can become stale.
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-17T21:05:27.303Z
That's actually a really useful list.  I can see that it would be too much to copy over.
BanksySan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-10-25T06:17:56.227Z
@Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 - I've only just seen this, and you are obviously correct, and the link has *now* died... rendering (that part of) the answer almost useless. That's a shame. There is this link [Ultimaker - Support](https://ultimaker.com/en/resources/52663-support)... I'm not sure if this was the same sort of information. Anthony, can you either find a new version of your link or confirm that this new link contains the same information, please? Or this 3rd party site [CURA SUPPORT SETTINGS
What Are Support Structures?](https://all3dp.com/2/cura-support-settings-optimize-your-supports/)
Greenonline
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-10-26T15:17:39.617Z
Yes, that contains an updated version of the information. In fact, that version is much better than the original.
Anthony Herrera
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-17T18:44:29.140Z
2020-04-23T10:11:19.587Z
2020-06-18T08:29:41.667Z
Anthony Herrera
<p>Changing slicer settings will ultimately help with future prints, but there is a tool that has been an absolute god send to me for cleaning up hard to clean up prints.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/sFViG.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="Deburring tool"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/sFViG.jpg" alt="Deburring tool" title="Deburring tool"></a></p>

<p>Please, go pick one up.  You won't regret it.  They make life so much easier to clean up prints from hard to clean up materials.  </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-18T06:26:34.393Z
deburring tools remove elephant foot and bad corners, but not sticking support material.
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-10-23T12:57:39.647Z
Why so many downvotes? Seems like a reasonable alternative to try. I've undeleted this, and upvoted..
Greenonline
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-18T04:41:11.983Z
2019-10-23T17:40:48.393Z
2019-10-23T17:40:48.393Z
TheNerdAlly
<p>It’s possible to use a heat gun to smooth it off after removing the majority of the supports. It creates a glossy effect as well.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-10-31T05:06:05.100Z
Dont use external heat if you want to preserve your prints, just change separation from the part 1mm, and Z to 90% of your layer or 70% of population, this last parameter will make weak supports, of course dont make it too weaks.
Fernando Baltazar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-10-30T21:14:34.533Z
2019-10-30T21:14:34.533Z
Tim Li
<p>It is recommended that you try &quot;tree support&quot; in the &quot;experimental&quot; module of settings.Also,before removing the support, blowing with a hot air gun to soften the support material connected to the model may achieve good results.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-11T14:34:45.640Z
2020-08-11T16:03:39.400Z
2020-08-11T16:03:39.400Z
gailulun
<h2>Print/material specific settings</h2>
<p>If you are printing <em><strong>too hot with too less distance</strong></em>, <em><strong>the support just fuses to the print object</strong></em>. Extra cooling, lower print temperature and support distance should be in balance to create easy to remove support structures with respect to an acceptable print object surface. If temperature and cooling cannot be balanced to prevent fused support structures (e.g. for high temperature filament materials that cannot take too much cooling as that would result in less structural solid prints), there is an option in Cura to override the fan speed for the first layer above the support (<code>Fan Speed Override</code>). If this fails to produce easy removable supports, you can resort to changing the support distance between the support and the print object.</p>
<h2>Support settings</h2>
<p>Most of the used slicers have an option to determine how much distance (in terms of layers) you want between your support and your product, you could add an extra layer as space to try out if that works better for you. E.g. the default Cura setting for <code>Support Bottom Distance</code> (which is a sub-setting of <code>Support Z Distance</code>) is the layer thickness specified in <code>Layer Height</code>. If you have a layer height of 0.2 mm, the <code>Support Bottom Distance</code> is also 0.2 mm. For the top, option <code>Support Top Distance</code> this is two layer heights, so 0.4 mm in this example. These options are visible in the expert mode, you can search for them in the search box, see image below.</p>
<hr />
<p><strong>Why should you want air in between your part and the support?</strong></p>
<p>You'll soon find out when you want to <strong>remove supports</strong>, if no gap is used, the support will fuse to the print part. This is only interesting (no gap between print part and support structure) when you use a different filament for support like PVA or break-away filament; e.g. PVA dissolves in water in a dual nozzle printer setup (not that you can make the biggest part of the support except the top and bottom layer from the print object material, e.g. PLA for the main part of the support and PVA for the bottom and top layer: settings <code>First Layer Support Extruder</code>, <code>Support Interface Extruder</code>, <code>Support Roof Extruder</code> and <code>Support Floor Extruder</code>).</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/vnlrY.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/vnlrY.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-16T15:31:11.487Z
Would extra cooling be me buying a more powerful fan?
BanksySan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-16T15:45:40.290Z
Or a better fan duct, e.g. the stock duct of the Anet A8 is quite bad. I don't own a CR-10 to evaluate the duct of the machine.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-16T19:52:00.413Z
I've got a Monoprice Ultimate.  I suppose I could print a better duct and add a more powerful fan.
BanksySan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-16T19:53:40.230Z
@BanksySan Or lower the temperature and increase the distance between the support and the print, much easier and faster to test.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-16T22:15:05.440Z
@0scar Wouldn't an increased gap defeat the objective of the support?
BanksySan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-04-23T09:49:39.310Z
@BanksySan No, as long you don't make them too big, an extra layer (so 2 layers instead of 1 of in total a few tenths of a millimeter) is usually sufficient. Else tune your temperature down and increase cooling, but that might affect the structural integrity of the print.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-16T13:06:37.613Z
2020-04-23T10:09:51.460Z
2020-06-18T08:29:41.667Z
0scar
<p>I'm having a lot of difficulty removing support material without damaging the print.</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/wUyNe.jpg" alt="Support material">
<img src="https://i.sstatic.net/chXd9.jpg" alt="Support marterial"></p>

<p>Are there any tips/tricks to doing this or is it just a case of sanding, cutting, chopping and then cleaning it up as best I can?</p>

<p><strong>Settings</strong></p>

<ul>
<li>Printer: Monoprice Ultimate</li>
<li>Filament Temp: 200 °C</li>
<li>Plate Temp: 60 °C</li>
<li>Material:  PLA</li>
<li>Slicer:  Ultimaker Cura

<ul>
<li>Placement:  Everywhere</li>
<li>Angle:  20°</li>
<li>Pattern:  Concentric</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-16T13:08:18.520Z
The question lacks some basic information and settings like: "What material, printer, temperature, support settings, slicer, etc." Please add some more vital information by [edit] of the question.
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-16T14:07:51.680Z
The right side of the cube looks strange, was that the top or the bottom of the print?
0scar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-16T15:29:33.537Z
@0scar The bottom.  The sphere protrudes the edge of the box very slightly, meaning that the bottom of the box also had support material,
BanksySan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-18T05:42:25.970Z
CURA: Support->Support Z Distance -> activate the Support Z Distance Top and Support Z Distance bottom. Mostly the top distance is NOT the normal distance, e.g. I set the Z distance to 0.4 but the z distance top still was 0.12 which causes painfully hard to remover supports
Horitsu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-18T05:42:56.333Z
I had the same problem some time ago: https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5226/problems-with-support-interface-since-cura-3-1
Horitsu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-18T05:43:41.080Z
Possible duplicate of [Problems with support interface since cura 3.1](https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5226/problems-with-support-interface-since-cura-3-1)
Horitsu
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-18T05:46:51.540Z
Oh, and double check this setting after EVERY Cura update. They mess this up every time.
Horitsu
<print-quality><support-structures><monoprice-maker-ultimate>
Difficult to remove support material
BanksySan
# Difficult to remove support material

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-01-16)

I'm having a lot of difficulty removing support material without damaging the print.

![Support material](https://i.sstatic.net/wUyNe.jpg)
![Support marterial](https://i.sstatic.net/chXd9.jpg)

Are there any tips/tricks to doing this or is it just a case of sanding, cutting, chopping and then cleaning it up as best I can?

**Settings**

* Printer: Monoprice Ultimate
* Filament Temp: 200 °C
* Plate Temp: 60 °C
* Material: PLA
* Slicer: Ultimaker Cura
  + Placement: Everywhere
  + Angle: 20°
  + Pattern: Concentric

**Tags:** print-quality, support-structures, monoprice-maker-ultimate
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The question lacks some basic information and settings like: "What material, printer, temperature, support settings, slicer, etc." Please add some more vital information by [edit] of the question.  
> **username_1**: The right side of the cube looks strange, was that the top or the bottom of the print?  
> **username_0**: @0scar The bottom.  The sphere protrudes the edge of the box very slightly, meaning that the bottom of the box also had support material,  
> **username_2**: CURA: Support->Support Z Distance -> activate the Support Z Distance Top and Support Z Distance bottom. Mostly the top distance is NOT the normal distance, e.g. I set the Z distance to 0.4 but the z distance top still was 0.12 which causes painfully hard to remover supports  
> **username_2**: I had the same problem some time ago: https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5226/problems-with-support-interface-since-cura-3-1  
> **username_2**: Possible duplicate of [Problems with support interface since cura 3.1](https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5226/problems-with-support-interface-since-cura-3-1)  
> **username_2**: Oh, and double check this setting after EVERY Cura update. They mess this up every time.  

---

## 5 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-01-16. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

## Print/material specific settings

If you are printing ***too hot with too less distance***, ***the support just fuses to the print object***. Extra cooling, lower print temperature and support distance should be in balance to create easy to remove support structures with respect to an acceptable print object surface. If temperature and cooling cannot be balanced to prevent fused support structures (e.g. for high temperature filament materials that cannot take too much cooling as that would result in less structural solid prints), there is an option in Cura to override the fan speed for the first layer above the support (`Fan Speed Override`). If this fails to produce easy removable supports, you can resort to changing the support distance between the support and the print object.

## Support settings

Most of the used slicers have an option to determine how much distance (in terms of layers) you want between your support and your product, you could add an extra layer as space to try out if that works better for you. E.g. the default Cura setting for `Support Bottom Distance` (which is a sub-setting of `Support Z Distance`) is the layer thickness specified in `Layer Height`. If you have a layer height of 0.2 mm, the `Support Bottom Distance` is also 0.2 mm. For the top, option `Support Top Distance` this is two layer heights, so 0.4 mm in this example. These options are visible in the expert mode, you can search for them in the search box, see image below.

---

**Why should you want air in between your part and the support?**

You'll soon find out when you want to **remove supports**, if no gap is used, the support will fuse to the print part. This is only interesting (no gap between print part and support structure) when you use a different filament for support like PVA or break-away filament; e.g. PVA dissolves in water in a dual nozzle printer setup (not that you can make the biggest part of the support except the top and bottom layer from the print object material, e.g. PLA for the main part of the support and PVA for the bottom and top layer: settings `First Layer Support Extruder`, `Support Interface Extruder`, `Support Roof Extruder` and `Support Floor Extruder`).

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

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Would extra cooling be me buying a more powerful fan?  
> **username_1**: Or a better fan duct, e.g. the stock duct of the Anet A8 is quite bad. I don't own a CR-10 to evaluate the duct of the machine.  
> **username_0**: I've got a Monoprice Ultimate.  I suppose I could print a better duct and add a more powerful fan.  
> **username_1**: @BanksySan Or lower the temperature and increase the distance between the support and the print, much easier and faster to test.  
> **username_0**: @0scar Wouldn't an increased gap defeat the objective of the support?  
> **username_1**: @BanksySan No, as long you don't make them too big, an extra layer (so 2 layers instead of 1 of in total a few tenths of a millimeter) is usually sufficient. Else tune your temperature down and increase cooling, but that might affect the structural integrity of the print.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2019-01-17. Score: 2

Test out a couple different types and z distances. I've found that the 'lines' type on Cura turns out very well - they are generally easy to remove and leave few artifacts on the part. Some types of support I've found to be much more difficult to remove than others, I would recommend 'lines' or 'zig zag'. See the link at the bottom for all possible values.

### Z distance

Beyond switching over to 'lines' instead of 'concentric' this is the one that I've found has the most impact on the how easy it is to remove supports. You want this to be as large as possible while still providing sufficient support. Do a couple test print, increasing this value until the detail start to get bad, then lower it just a bit.

### Current link for Cura setting explanations

<https://ultimaker.com/en/resources/20422-cura-support-settings>

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: Welcome to 3dPrinting.SE! If the settings which are posted on the ultimaker site are important to your answer, please just copy them over here and leave the link in place. While this has a little more information in it than a "link only answer", it's not much beyond that. Please bring the information over as the link can become stale.  
> **username_0**: That's actually a really useful list.  I can see that it would be too much to copy over.  
> **username_5**: @Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 - I've only just seen this, and you are obviously correct, and the link has *now* died... rendering (that part of) the answer almost useless. That's a shame. There is this link [Ultimaker - Support](https://ultimaker.com/en/resources/52663-support)... I'm not sure if this was the same sort of information. Anthony, can you either find a new version of your link or confirm that this new link contains the same information, please? Or this 3rd party site [CURA SUPPORT SETTINGS What Are Support Structures?](https://all3dp.com/2/cura-support-settings-optimize-your-supports/)  
> **username_3**: Yes, that contains an updated version of the information. In fact, that version is much better than the original.  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2019-01-18. Score: 1

Changing slicer settings will ultimately help with future prints, but there is a tool that has been an absolute god send to me for cleaning up hard to clean up prints.

[![Deburring tool](https://i.sstatic.net/sFViG.jpg "Deburring tool")](https://i.sstatic.net/sFViG.jpg "Deburring tool")

Please, go pick one up. You won't regret it. They make life so much easier to clean up prints from hard to clean up materials.

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: deburring tools remove elephant foot and bad corners, but not sticking support material.  
> **username_5**: Why so many downvotes? Seems like a reasonable alternative to try. I've undeleted this, and upvoted..  

---

### Answer by username_8 on 2019-10-30. Score: 1

It’s possible to use a heat gun to smooth it off after removing the majority of the supports. It creates a glossy effect as well.

> **Comments:**
> **username_9**: Dont use external heat if you want to preserve your prints, just change separation from the part 1mm, and Z to 90% of your layer or 70% of population, this last parameter will make weak supports, of course dont make it too weaks.  

---

### Answer by username_10 on 2020-08-11. Score: 0

It is recommended that you try "tree support" in the "experimental" module of settings.Also,before removing the support, blowing with a hot air gun to soften the support material connected to the model may achieve good results.


---

