Support Structure Removal System

A support structure removal system for removing support structures from three-dimensional parts built with additive manufacturing systems, the support structure removal system comprising:

• a reservoir tank having tank walls and a tank floor that define an interior volume configured to retain an aqueous fluid;
• a plurality of vessels configured to be inserted into the interior volume of the reservoir tank to at least partially fill the vessels with the aqueous fluid, wherein the plurality of vessels each comprise an impeller;
• and
• a plurality of magnet assemblies located below the tank floor, each of the plurality of magnet assemblies being configured to generate a rotating magnetic field that induces the impellers to rotate when the vessels are inserted into the interior volume to agitate the aqueous fluid within the vessels.

A method for removing support structures from three-dimensional parts built with additive manufacturing systems, the method comprising:

• placing a three-dimensional part and a support structure in a vessel having porous vessel walls and a porous floor;
• inserting the vessel into a reservoir tank, wherein the reservoir tank comprises an aqueous fluid that at least partially fills the inserted vessel to immerse the three-dimensional part and the support structure in the aqueous solution within the vessel;
• generating a rotating magnetic field within the reservoir tank;
• rotating an impeller located below the porous floor with the generated rotating magnetic field to agitate the aqueous solution within the vessel;
• dissolving at least a portion of the support structure with the agitated aqueous solution within the vessel;
• and
• removing the vessel from the reservoir tank, wherein the aqueous fluid in the vessel drains from the vessel and into the reservoir tank as the vessel is removed.