What are the advantages of water-soluble support?

One advantage of using a dual-extruder 3D printer to print models is the ability to use two materials simultaneously. When a model is complex and requires support, water-soluble support material can be used.

The main advantage of water-soluble support is that it can be easily dissolved and removed from the printed object using water, which is particularly useful when support is required in complex models with overhangs that would be difficult to remove if made from the same material as the model. Additionally, using water-soluble support can result in a smoother surface on the printed object.

Water-soluble support is slightly more expensive than other types of plastic in the industry, so it is primarily used for specific applications where certain properties are required, especially in cases where impact resistance is needed.

Nylon or polyamide parts can withstand impact and can be reinforced with carbon or glass fibers for improved strength and temperature resistance.

Nylon is also commonly used for 3D printing parts that need to withstand high temperatures, such as those in car components. This material is also known for its durability and resistance to wear and tear, making it useful for parts that need to slide over surfaces.

PVA is one of the most commonly used water-soluble support materials, but it is prone to moisture absorption and nozzle clogging.

However, a new water-soluble support material called BVOH has been developed that dissolves more quickly than PVA and leaves fewer residues in the printed object.

BVOH is ideal for applications that require fast and efficient dissolution of support material.

The dissolution rate of BVOH in water is faster than that of PVA. The amount of residue remaining in the 3D printed product is also relatively low. If the flow of water is increased and warm water is used, the dissolution of BVOH can be more rapid.

In addition, BVOH printing material is better for printing than PVA because it is less susceptible to moisture and therefore less likely to affect the quality of the print. Its unique material structure also reduces the likelihood of stringing, ensuring that the extrusion is easier when using BVOH. A smoother printing process can further reduce stringing and greatly reduce the occurrence of nozzle clogging during printing. On the other hand, in order to achieve better printing results with BVOH material and the model material itself, some users choose to use 3D printers with dual independent nozzles, such as the Flashforge Creator 3 , to print.

Each independent nozzle has its own nozzle and material. When one nozzle is active and printing, the other idle nozzle moves to one side of the printing platform. Because the non-printing nozzle is located on the side, any material leaked from the idle nozzle will not stick to the printed object, preventing material contamination and improving the quality of the printed model.

Due to the advantages of BVOH mentioned above, many users are starting to choose BVOH, and it is becoming increasingly popular.