According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method for processing a thermoplastic part using a carboxylic ester solvent. Advantageously, it has been found that carboxylic esters provide an effective and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional alcohol-based solvents used for processing thermoplastic parts, particularly for smoothing the surface.
C08J 7/02 - Chemical treatment or coating of shaped articles made of macromolecular substances with solvents, e.g. swelling agents
B29C 64/188 - Processes of additive manufacturing involving additional operations performed on the added layers, e.g. smoothing, grinding or thickness control
B29C 71/00 - After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
B33Y 40/20 - Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
The present application relates to a method and system for removing material from an additively manufactured part. The method comprises providing an additively manufactured part comprising a part section and a support structure, providing a material having an expansible volume, carrying out an application step, wherein the material is applied to the additively manufactured part and carrying out a de-coupling step, wherein the material is expanded from a first, unexpanded, state to a second, expanded, state so as to generate a separating force for de-coupling the part section and the support structure.
The present application relates to a method for post-processing a powder-based additively manufactured part. The method comprising the steps of providing a powder-based additively manufactured part, the additively manufactured part comprising a material having a melting point, providing a fluid for processing the additively manufactured part in order to improve the surface finish of the additively manufactured part, wherein the fluid comprises at least one solvent selected from an organic ester, an aromatic organic compound or an acetal, a heating step, wherein the fluid is heated; and an application step, wherein the heated fluid is applied to a surface of the additively manufactured part. It has been found this process can help to improve the surface finish of the additively manufactured part, e.g. resulting in a less rough (i.e. smoother) surface finish.
B29C 71/00 - After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B29C 64/188 - Processes of additive manufacturing involving additional operations performed on the added layers, e.g. smoothing, grinding or thickness control
The present invention provides apparatus for post-processing an additively manufactured polymer part, comprising a reservoir (402) for containing a liquid solvent; a processing chamber (408) in controllable fluid communication with the reservoir; and a controller (418) configured to controllably post-process an additively manufactured polymer part located in the processing chamber by the solvent responsive to at least one parameter associated with the part. A method for post-processing an additively manufactured polymer part is also provided.
B08B 3/10 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration
B29C 71/00 - After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
B33Y 40/20 - Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
The present disclosure describes a number of methods of colouring additively manufactured parts. One such method involves providing a first dyeing liquid, heating the first dyeing liquid to a desired temperature and immersing a surface of an additively manufactured part into the first dyeing liquid. The process is then repeated with a second dyeing liquid so as to alter the colour of the additively manufactured part. Advantageously, by performing multiple, iterative colouring operations, it is possible to achieve a wider range of part colours without having to pre-mix dyes, thereby improving processing efficiency and flexibility.
B33Y 40/20 - Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
B29C 64/379 - Handling of additively manufactured objects, e.g. using robots
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
D06P 1/39 - General processes of dyeing or printing textiles or general processes of dyeing leather, furs or solid macromolecular substances in any form, classified according to the dyes, pigments or auxiliary substances employed using acid dyes
B05C 3/00 - Apparatus in which the work is brought into contact with a bulk quantity of liquid or other fluent material
D06P 3/00 - Special processes of dyeing or printing textiles or dyeing leather, furs or solid macromolecular substances in any form, classified according to the material treated
B05C 3/02 - Apparatus in which the work is brought into contact with a bulk quantity of liquid or other fluent material the work being immersed in the liquid or other fluent material
B05C 3/09 - Apparatus in which the work is brought into contact with a bulk quantity of liquid or other fluent material the work being immersed in the liquid or other fluent material for treating separate articles
B05C 13/02 - Means for manipulating or holding work, e.g. for separate articles for particular articles
According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method for smoothing a surface of an additively manufactured metal part. The method comprises applying a chemical to a stepped surface of an additively manufactured part to at least soften a binder material supporting unprocessed powder particles of the part and allowing the powder particles at the surface to flow under the influence of gravity into recesses defined by the stepped surface to thereby reduce a roughness of the surface. Advantageously, it has been found that the afore-described method is able to provide a part having an improved surface smoothness.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
The present invention relates to methods and systems for removing powder from one or more additively manufactured (AM) parts or a powder cake containing one or more AM parts. The method comprises the steps of: locating one or more AM parts (14) and/or a powder cake (16) containing one or more AM parts in a chamber (12); directing a first flow of fluid in a first direction into the chamber (12) in order to impact the one or more AM parts (14) and/or powder cake (16); and directing a second flow of fluid in a second direction into the chamber (12) in order to impact the one or more AM parts (14) and/or powder cake (16), wherein the second direction is different to the first direction. The method/system has been found to effectively remove powder from an AM part or powder cake.
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B29C 64/165 - Processes of additive manufacturing using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
The invention relates to methods and apparatus (10) for processing one or more additively manufactured (AM) parts and/or a powder cake containing one or more AM parts. The method comprises: locating one or more AM parts and/or a powder cake containing one or more AM parts in a processing chamber (12); providing processing media in the processing chamber (12); and creating a swirling flow path for said processing media within the processing chamber (12) for impacting the one or more AM parts and/or powder cake with the processing media. The method/apparatus can be used to efficiently remove powder from AM parts/powder cakes and/or alter surface properties of AM parts.
B24B 31/02 - Machines or devices designed for polishing or abrading surfaces on work by means of tumbling apparatus or other apparatus in which the work or the abrasive material is loose; Accessories therefor involving rotary barrels
B24B 31/12 - Accessories; Protective equipment or safety devices; Installations for exhaustion of dust or for sound absorption specially adapted for machines covered by group
B29B 17/02 - Separating plastics from other materials
A method for processing an additively manufactured investment casting model. The method comprises providing an additively manufactured investment casting model, placing the model into a processing chamber, introducing a chemical vapour into said chamber, carrying out an application step, wherein the chemical vapour is condensed onto at least a portion of the surface of the additively manufactured investment casting model and carrying out a drying step, wherein the transformed surface material is re- solidified. During the drying step, the temperature within the processing chamber is maintained between 30°c and 50°c and the pressure within the processing chamber is maintained at or below 1000 mbar. In the above manner, it is possible to efficiently smooth additively manufactured investment casting models without causing them to deform.
The present applications relates to a method and system for removing material from an additively manufactured part. The method comprises providing an additively manufactured part comprising a part section and a support structure, providing a material having an expansible volume, carrying out an application step, wherein the material is applied to the additively manufactured part and carrying out a de-coupling step, wherein the material is expanded from a first, unexpanded, state to a second, expanded, state so as to generate a separating force for de-coupling the part section and the support structure.
B22F 10/43 - Structures for supporting workpieces or articles during manufacture and removed afterwards characterised by material
B22F 10/62 - Treatment of workpieces or articles after build-up by chemical means
B29C 64/40 - Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
B33Y 40/20 - Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
C04B 35/00 - Shaped ceramic products characterised by their composition; Ceramic compositions; Processing powders of inorganic compounds preparatory to the manufacturing of ceramic products
The present invention relates to a system (100) for automatically processing an additively manufactured part. The system comprises an inspection module (120) for determining at least one part parameter associated with a surface finish quality of the part, a processing module (118) for processing a surface of the part responsive to the at least one part parameter and controller (102) configured to modify a processing parameter of a surface finishing process, performed by the processing module, based on the at least one part parameter determined by the inspection module.
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/20 - Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
B33Y 50/00 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B29C 64/379 - Handling of additively manufactured objects, e.g. using robots
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B29C 64/40 - Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
B29C 71/00 - After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
12.
METHOD FOR POST-PROCESSING AN ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED PART
The present application relates to a method for post-processing a powder-based additively manufactured part. The method comprising the steps of providing a powder- based additively manufactured part, the additively manufactured part comprising a material having a melting point, providing a fluid for processing the additively manufactured part in order to improve the surface finish of the additively manufactured part, wherein the fluid comprises at least one solvent selected from an organic ester, an aromatic organic compound or an acetal, a heating step, wherein the fluid is heated; and an application step, wherein the heated fluid is applied to a surface of the additively manufactured part. It has been found this process can help to improve the surface finish of the additively manufactured part, e.g. resulting in a less rough (i.e. smoother) surface finish.
B29C 71/00 - After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
B29C 64/188 - Processes of additive manufacturing involving additional operations performed on the added layers, e.g. smoothing, grinding or thickness control
B33Y 40/20 - Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
B33Y 40/20 - Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
B08B 3/10 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration
B08B 3/12 - Cleaning involving contact with liquid with additional treatment of the liquid or of the object being cleaned, e.g. by heat, by electricity or by vibration by sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
B08B 7/02 - Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass by distortion, beating, or vibration of the surface to be cleaned
B08B 7/04 - Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass by a combination of operations
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
Goods & Services
Machines and machine tools for treatment and transformation
of materials; machines and machine tools for manufacturing;
machines for shaping plastic material; machinery for working
plastic material; machine tools for the plastics processing
industry; 3D-printers; powder handling apparatus [machines];
machines and apparatus for cleaning, electric; painting
machines; dyeing machines; paint marking machines; paint
sifting machines; spray paint machines; paint spray guns;
supports for spray guns for paint; machines for dyeing
objects produced with a 3D printing method; machines for
dyeing objects of plastic; machines for impregnating objects
produced with a 3D printing method; machines for
impregnating objects of plastic; machines for sealing
objects produced with a 3D printing method; machines for
sealing objects of plastic; paint mixing machines; air
brushes for applying paint; spraying machines; parts and
fittings for the aforesaid goods. Installation, cleaning, repair and maintenance of 3d
printers, machines and machine tools for treatment and
transformation of materials; painting; coating [painting]
services; paint spraying; information, consultancy and
advisory services relating to all the aforesaid services. 3D printing; additive manufacturing; custom fabrication of
parts, components and models for others; custom manufacture
of 3D printing equipment and components; custom 3D printing
for others; digital printing services; rental of 3D
printers; rental of machines and machine tools for treatment
and transformation of materials; dyeing services; dyeing of
objects produced with a 3D printing method; impregnating
objects produced with a 3D printing method; impregnating of
objects of plastic; custom construction of machines, for
others; sealing of objects produced with a 3D printing
method; sealing of objects of plastic; surface coating and
polishing; information, consultancy and advisory services
relating to all the aforesaid services.
According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method for smoothing a surface of an additively manufactured metal part. The method comprises applying a chemical to a stepped surface of an additively manufactured part to at least soften a binder material supporting unprocessed powder particles of the part and allowing the powder particles at the surface to flow under the influence of gravity into recesses defined by the stepped surface to thereby reduce a roughness of the surface. Advantageously, it has been found that the afore-described method is able to provide a part having an improved surface smoothness.
B22F 3/00 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor
B29C 64/188 - Processes of additive manufacturing involving additional operations performed on the added layers, e.g. smoothing, grinding or thickness control
B33Y 40/20 - Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
B22F 3/24 - After-treatment of workpieces or articles
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
Goods & Services
Machines and machine tools for treatment and transformation of materials, namely, additive manufacturing and 3D printing machines; machines and machine tools for manufacturing, namely, additive manufacturing and 3D printing machines; machines for shaping plastic material; machinery for working plastic material; machine tools for the plastics processing industry; 3D-printers; powder handling machines, namely, additive manufacturing and 3D printing machines; machines and apparatus for cleaning, electric, namely, additive manufacturing and 3D printing machines; painting machines; dyeing machines, namely, additive manufacturing and 3D printing machines for dyeing of machined parts, surface coatings and sealers; paint marking machines; paint sifting machines; spray paint machines; paint spray guns; supports specially adapted for holding spray guns for paint; machines for dyeing objects produced with a 3D printing method; machines for dyeing objects of plastic; machines for impregnating objects produced with a 3D printing method; machines for impregnating objects of plastic; machines for sealing objects produced with a 3D printing method; machines for sealing objects of plastic; paint mixing machines; air brushes for applying paint; spraying machines; structural and replacement parts and fittings for the aforesaid goods Installation, cleaning, repair and maintenance of 3d printers, machines and machine tools for treatment and transformation of materials; painting; coating services, namely, applications of coatings and sealers; paint spraying; providing information, consultancy and advisory services in the fields of painting, application of surface coatings and sealers, and installation, cleaning, repair and maintenance of 3D printers Custom 3D printing; Custom additive manufacturing; custom fabrication of parts, components and models, namely, created by additive manufacturing or 3D printing, for others; custom manufacture of 3D printing equipment and components; custom 3D printing for others; digital printing services; rental of 3D printers; rental of machines and machine tools for treatment and transformation of materials; dyeing services, namely, dyeing of machined parts, surface coatings and sealers; dyeing of objects produced with a 3D printing method; impregnating objects produced with a 3D printing method; impregnating of objects of plastic; custom construction of machines, namely, additive manufacturing and 3D printing machines for others; sealing of objects produced with a 3D printing method; sealing of objects of plastic; surface coating and polishing of machined parts; providing information, consultancy and advisory services in the fields of custom 3D printing, additive manufacturing, rental of 3D printing machines, digital printing, custom construction of 3D printers, and surface coatings and sealants for objects produced by a 3D printer
An apparatus (100) for additively manufacturing a part. The apparatus comprises a build bed (104) for supporting a powder material, a powder surface preparation device (106) for preparing a surface of the powder material and an energy emitting device (108) for energising the powder surface based on a desired part geometry. The build bed is controllably moveable along a closed loop transport path which extends around a horizontal axis. Advantageously, it has been found that the provision of a transport path which extends around a horizontal axis provides for more easy access to the parts located on said path. Subsequently, operational efficiency can be improved.
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B29C 64/176 - Processes of additive manufacturing specially adapted for manufacturing multiple 3D objects sequentially
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
The present invention relates to a system (100) for automatically processing an additively manufactured part. The system comprises an inspection module (120) for determining at least one part parameter associated with a surface finish quality of the part, a processing module (118) for processing a surface of the part responsive to the at least one part parameter and controller (102) configured to modify a processing parameter of a surface finishing process, performed by the processing module, based on the at least one part parameter determined by the inspection module.
The present application describes apparatus (100) for colouring an additively manufactured polymer part, comprising a chamber (106) for locating at least one additively manufactured polymer part (105) to be coloured, a first reservoir (102) for containing dye pigment particles to be suspended in a gas, and fluidly coupled to the chamber, and a further reservoir (104) for containing a solvent vapour, and fluidly coupled to the chamber. A method of colouring an additively manufactured polymer part is also described.
B29C 71/00 - After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
B05D 1/00 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials
B05D 1/02 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by spraying
B05D 3/10 - Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by other chemical means
B05D 5/06 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain multicolour or other optical effects
B05D 7/02 - Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials to macromolecular substances, e.g. rubber
B05B 7/14 - Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent materials from two or more sources, e.g. of liquid and air, of powder and gas designed for spraying particulate materials
B05B 17/04 - Apparatus for spraying or atomising liquids or other fluent materials, not covered by any other group of this subclass operating with special methods
C08J 7/00 - Chemical treatment or coating of shaped articles made of macromolecular substances
The present application describes apparatus for removing powder from a powder- based additively manufactured part, comprising at least one chamber (106) to contain a fluid, a device to induce flow in the fluid to agitate and remove powder from a powder-based additively manufactured part located therein, and an ultrasound generating transducer (121 ) to produce ultrasonic waves in the or a further fluid and agitate and remove powder from the powder-based additively manufactured part located therein. Methods of removing powder from a powder-based additively manufactured part and a method of cooling a powder cake supporting a powder- based additively manufactured part are also described.
B22F 3/105 - Sintering only by using electric current, laser radiation or plasma
B29C 64/153 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only solid materials using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
B33Y 30/00 - ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - Details thereof or accessories therefor
The present application describes a method of determining a condition of a surface, comprising obtaining image data of a surface; extracting a plurality of test parameters associated with a condition of the surface from the image data; and determining the condition of the surface based on the test parameters. A system for determining a condition of a surface and a method of processing a part are also described.
The present invention provides apparatus for post-processing an additively manufactured polymer part, comprising a reservoir (402) for containing a liquid solvent; a processing chamber (408) in controllable fluid communication with the reservoir; and a controller (418) configured to controllably post-process an additively manufactured polymer part located in the processing chamber by the solvent responsive to at least one parameter associated with the part. A method for post-processing an additively manufactured polymer part is also provided.