Removing Soluble Support Material From Rapid Prototype Part

A method of removing soluble support material from a rapid prototype part, the method comprising:

• placing the rapid prototype part in a container having an inlet port and an outlet port;
• substantially sealing the container to selectively substantially prevent egress of an aqueous cleaning solution from the container;
• connecting the first port to a supply of the aqueous cleaning solution;
• introducing the aqueous cleaning solution into the container via the inlet port, thereby removing the soluble support material from the rapid prototype part;
• and
• evacuating the aqueous cleaning solution from the container via the outlet port.

A system for removing soluble support material from a rapid prototype part, the system comprising:

• a basin having an inlet port and a drain basket and configured to store an aqueous cleaning solution;
• a container comprising
• a liner having an exterior surface and expandable to define a mouth portion and a volume for receiving, via the mouth portion, a rapid prototype part having soluble support material deposited thereon;
• an inlet port formed on the exterior surface and in fluid communication with the volume;
• an outlet port formed on the exterior surface and in fluid communication with the volume and with the inlet port of the basin;
• and
• a sealing arrangement configured and arranged to selectively substantially prevent egress of an aqueous cleaning solution from the mouth portion of the liner;
• a pump in fluid communication with the basin and with the inlet port of the container and configured to pump the aqueous cleaning solution from the basin into the volume defined by the liner of the container and back to the basin;
• whereby, when the pump is actuated, the aqueous cleaning solution is introduced into the volume defined by the liner of the container to remove the soluble support material from the rapid prototype part.