Method and apparatus for support removal using directed atomized and semi-atomized fluid
AssigneePostProcess Technologies, Inc.
InventorsDaniel Joshua Hutchinson, Marc Farfaglia
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for removing support material from and/or smoothing surfaces of an additively manufactured part (the “AM part”) is disclosed. The apparatus may include a chamber, a support surface within the chamber, and one or more nozzles within the chamber. The nozzles may be the same size or different sizes. The support surface may be configured to support the AM part. The support surface may have one or more openings sized and configured to allow the fluid to pass through the opening(s). The nozzles may be configured to spray a fluid at the AM part, and the spray may be an atomized or semi-atomized spray of the fluid.
Claims29
A method of removing support material from and/or smoothing surfaces of an additively manufactured part, comprising:
- providing a chamber, a support surface within the chamber, and one or more nozzles within the chamber;
- placing an additively manufactured part (the “AM part”) on the support surface;
- and
- spraying a fluid at the AM part, wherein the nozzles generate an atomized or semi-atomized spray of the fluid.
A method of removing support material from and/or smoothing surfaces of an additively manufactured part, comprising:
- providing a chamber, a support surface with at least an opening therethrough within the chamber, at least one nozzle located above the support surface, and at least another nozzle located below the support surface;
- placing an additively manufactured part on the support surface;
- spraying a fluid at the additively manufactured part from the nozzles from above and below;
- and
- collecting and storing data about settings and operation during spraying.
A method of removing support material from and/or smoothing surfaces of an additively manufactured part, comprising:
- providing a chamber, a support surface with at least an opening therethrough within the chamber, at least one nozzle located above the support surface, and at least another nozzle located below the support surface;
- placing an additively manufactured part on the support surface;
- spraying a fluid at the additively manufactured part from the nozzles from above and below;
- and
- providing an anti-foaming agent while spraying.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.