Systems and methods for automatic detachment of support structures for 3d printed parts

A system comprising:

• a design access engine configured to access a digital design of a part designed for construction through an additive manufacturing process;
• and
• a detachable support structure engine configured to insert, into the digital design, a support structure configured to support construction of a surface of the part, wherein the support structure comprises:
• a shape-memory element configured to be in a diminished shape during the additive manufacturing process and expand into an expanded shape after the additive manufacturing process ends;
• and
• an element enclosure attached to the surface of the part and configured to hold the shape-memory element in the diminished shape and break from the part as the shape-memory element expands into the expanded shape.

A non-transitory machine-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a system to:

• access a digital design of a part designed for construction through an additive manufacturing process;
• insert, into the digital design, a support structure configured to support construction of a surface of the part, wherein the support structure comprises:
• a shape-memory element configured to be in a diminished shape during the additive manufacturing process and expand into an expanded shape after the additive manufacturing process ends;
• and
• an element enclosure attached to the surface of the part and configured to hold the shape-memory element in the diminished shape and break from the part as the shape-memory element expands into the expanded shape.