3d printed parts with support removal cleaner
OwnerBrent C. Mosherinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system, methods, and chemical compositions for removing a support structure material from a printed material during 3D printing are described. The printing material may include polyetherimide or polyetherimide alloy. The support structure material may include polysulfone or polyethersulfone. A solvent for dissolving the support structure material may include one or more of N-propyl bromide, 1,2 butylene oxide, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.
Claims17
A method of forming an object using a 3D printer, the method comprising:
- depositing a first material to create a support structure for a second material;
- depositing the second material onto the support structure;
- using a solvent to dissolve at least a portion of the first material without affecting the physical properties of the second material;
- and
- removing at least a portion of the dissolved first material from the second material such that the first material no longer supports the second material;
- wherein the first material comprises polyethersulfone, the second material comprises polyetherimide, and the solvent comprises N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.
A method of forming an object using a 3D printer, the method comprising:
- depositing a first material to create a support structure for a second material;
- depositing the second material onto the support structure;
- using a solvent to dissolve at least a portion of the first material without affecting the physical properties of the second material;
- and
- removing at least a portion of the dissolved first material from the second material such that the first material no longer supports the second material;
- wherein the first material comprises polysulfone, the second material comprises polyetherimide alloy, and the solvent comprises N-propyl bromide.
-19. (canceled)
A method for reusing a soluble support material for use in three-dimensional printing, the method comprising:
- dispensing polysulfone to make a scaffolding structure;
- dispensing a polyetherimide alloy on the scaffolding structure;
- dissolving the polysulfone scaffolding structure using a solvent containing N-propyl bromide;
- collecting the dissolved polysulfone;
- drying the collected polysulfone;
- and
- recycling the dried polysulfone.
-25. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.