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
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 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
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
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