What impact do support structures have on printing duration?

Support structures are essential in the Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) process, especially when printing complex geometries that have overhangs or intricate features. These structures are needed to maintain the integrity of the print while the material is deposited. As such, they inevitably add extra time to the printing process.

The process of generating and placing these supports consumes additional resources in terms of both time and material. Additional layers have to be printed to create the support, which extends the overall duration of the printing job. Each layer that is printed includes not only the primary model but also the supports; therefore, the printing time increases as more material is required, and more passes are made by the print head.

In contrast, a scenario where no support structures are required might allow for faster printing, but this is not applicable in cases where overhangs need to be supported. The need for supports typically means that the printer must complete a longer path and additional layers, thereby increasing the total print time significantly.