Prefabricated support structures and/or overlays for additive manufacturing

A device for supporting an object during an additive manufacturing process, the device comprising:

• a build platform comprising a surface;
• a plurality of support structures extending above the surface of the build platform, wherein each support structure is configured to couple to and extend at least partially into a portion of an additively manufactured object,
• wherein each support structure comprises an elongate body and an end portion,
• wherein the end portion is configured to couple to and extend at least partially into the portion of the additively manufactured object,
• wherein the end portion is configured to transition between an expanded configuration and a low-profile configuration, and
• wherein the end portion has a larger lateral dimension in the expanded configuration than in the low-profile configuration;
• and
• a plurality of actuators, wherein each actuator is configured to adjust a position of a corresponding support structure relative to the build platform, and wherein each actuator is coupled to the elongate body of the corresponding support structure.