Method of post manufacture processing of 3D printed parts

A method of post manufacture processing of 3D printed parts, comprising:

• treating an exterior shell of the part to fill all pores and fracture in order to make the exterior shell of the part air and water tight;
• forming at least one treatment aperture through the exterior shell to provide access to an internal lattice of multiple layers of extruded thermo-plastic filaments within a hollow cavity of the part;
• connecting fluids lines to the at least one treatment aperture of the part;
• inserting a stabilizing substance, that flows before it is set and then hardens when set, through the at least one treatment aperture through the fluid lines into the hollow cavity of the part;
• and
• creating a pressure differential within the hollow cavity of the part and using the pressure differential to coat the lattice with the stabilizing substance to fill spaces between the multiple layers and between individual filaments of said extruded thermo-plastic filaments, such that, when set, the stabilizing substance fixes the multiple layers of extruded thermo-plastic filaments of the lattice in position.

A method of post manufacture processing of 3D printed parts, comprising:

• forming at least one treatment aperture through an exterior shell of a 3D printed part to provide access to an internal lattice of multiple layers of extruded thermo-plastic filaments within a hollow cavity of the part;
• connecting fluid lines to the at least one treatment aperture of the part;
• treating pores and fractures in the exterior shell of the part by:
• saturating the atmosphere around the part with an aerosol or vaporized resin or glue;
• and
• using the connecting fluid lines to place the hollow cavity of the part under partial vacuum to draw the resin or glue saturated air through the pores and fractures of the exterior shell into the hollow cavity of the part until the pores and fractures in the exterior shell of the part become filled with resin or glue, thereby rendering the exterior shell air tight and water tight;
• inserting a stabilizing substance in the form of an expanding foam resin that flows before it is set and then hardens when set through the at least one treatment aperture through the fluid lines into the hollow cavity of the part;
• and
• creating a pressure differential within the hollow cavity of the part and using the pressure differential to coat the lattice with the expanding foam resin to fill spaces between the multiple layers and between individual filaments of said extruded thermo-plastic filaments, such that, when set, the expanding foam resin stabilizing substance fixes the multiple layers of extruded thermo-plastic filaments of the lattice in position.