Chemical processing of additive manufactured workpieces
AssigneeREM Technologies, Inc.
InventorsAgustin Diaz, Gary J. Sroka
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for chemical processing an internal cavity of an additive manufactured (AM) metal workpiece is disclosed in which a connector is provided in fluid connection with the internal cavity and a chemical polishing solution is flowed through the connector and the internal cavity to process the internal cavity to a desired finish.
Claims15
A method for chemical processing an internal cavity of an additive manufactured (AM) metal workpiece, the method comprising:
- (a) providing an AM metal workpiece having an internal cavity, with an internal surface exhibiting metal debris, excess surface roughness, or temporary support structures;
- (b) providing at least a first connector in fluid-tight connection with the internal cavity;
- and
- (c) circulating a chemical polishing solution from an external reservoir through the first connector and the internal cavity and back to the external reservoir, to process the internal cavity to a desired finish and remove the metal debris, excess surface roughness, or temporary support structures,
- wherein the chemical polishing solution is capable of chemically reacting with the metal of the AM metal workpiece,
- wherein the workpiece is immersed in a bath during flowing of the chemical polishing solution through the internal cavity, the bath having liquid and being configured to maintain the workpiece at a constant temperature during flowing of the chemical polishing solution.
A method for chemical processing an internal cavity of an additive manufactured (AM) metal workpiece, the method comprising:
- (a) providing an AM metal workpiece having an internal cavity, with an internal surface exhibiting metal debris, excess surface roughness, or temporary support structures;
- (b) providing at least a first connector in fluid-tight connection with the internal cavity;
- and
- (c) flowing a chemical polishing solution through the first connector and the internal cavity to process the internal cavity to a desired finish and remove the metal debris, excess surface roughness, or temporary support structures,
- wherein the chemical polishing solution is capable of chemically reacting with the metal of the AM metal workpiece,
- wherein the workpiece is immersed in a bath during flowing of the chemical polishing solution through the internal cavity, the bath having liquid and being configured to maintain the workpiece at a constant temperature during flowing of the chemical polishing solution, and
- wherein the desired finish is determined by non-destructive direct inspection using:
- a borescope;
- 3D X-ray CT inspection;
- or ultrasonic imaging.
A method for chemical processing an internal cavity of an additive manufactured (AM) metal workpiece, the method comprising:
- (a) providing an AM metal workpiece having an internal cavity, with an internal surface exhibiting metal debris, excess surface roughness, or temporary support structures;
- (b) providing at least a first connector in fluid-tight connection with the internal cavity;
- and
- (c) flowing a chemical polishing solution through the first connector and the internal cavity to process the internal cavity to a desired finish and remove the metal debris, excess surface roughness, or temporary support structures,
- wherein the chemical polishing solution is capable of chemically reacting with the metal of the AM metal workpiece,
- wherein the workpiece is immersed in a bath during flowing of the chemical polishing solution through the internal cavity, the bath having liquid and being configured to maintain the workpiece at a constant temperature during flowing of the chemical polishing solution, and
- wherein an amount of chemical polishing solution required to achieve a desired finish is calculated and the amount is flowed through the internal cavity until the chemical polishing solution is exhausted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.