Surface-treatment method for rapid-manufactured three-dimensional objects

• US 20080169585A1
• Filed: 01/12/2007
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stratasys Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stratasys Incorporated
• Inventors: Zinniel, Robert L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,765,045 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/401
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2071/0045 Washing using non-reactive liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/188 involving additional operations performed on the added layers, e.g. smoothing, grinding or thickness control surface shaping B29C59/00; after-treatment of articles without altering their shape B29C71/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/35 Cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 71/0009 using liquids, e.g. solvents, swelling agents spectacle cases, e.g. for cleaning contact lenses A45C11/04; disinfecting or sterilising contact lenses A61L12/00, using liquid substances A61L2/20; cleaning involving the use of liquid in general B08B3/00; for hydrating contact lenses B29D11/00067
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0073 smooth
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 40/20 Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing

Abstract

A method for forming a surface-treated, three-dimensional object, comprising: solvent smoothing an exterior surface of a rapid-manufactured, three-dimensional object, and media blasting at least a portion of the solvent-smoothed exterior surface.

Claims

1. A method for forming a surface-treated, three-dimensional object, the method comprising:

smoothing an exterior surface of a rapid-manufactured, three-dimensional object with a solvent-based smoothing process; and

media blasting at least a portion of the solvent-smoothed exterior surface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent-based smoothing process comprises a vapor smoothing process.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent-based smoothing process uses a solvent selected from the group consisting of methylene chloride, n-propyl bromide, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, dimethylacetamide, xylene, toluene, water, alcohols, and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising cooling the rapid-manufactured, three-dimensional object below room temperature prior to smoothing the exterior surface.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising suspending the rapid-manufactured, three-dimensional object from a hook-like member.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising abrasively removing at least one surface blemish from the solvent-smoothed exterior surface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the media blasting comprises blasting with sodium bicarbonate.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring a specular reflectivity of the exterior surface.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising performing an action when the specular reflectivity reaches a predetermined level, the action being selected from the group consisting of discontinuing the solvent-based smoothing process and discontinuing the media blasting.

10. A method for forming a surface-treated, three-dimensional object, the method comprising:

building at least a portion of a three-dimensional object with a rapid manufacturing technique, the three-dimensional object having an exterior surface;

smoothing the exterior surface with a solvent-based smoothing process; and

media blasting at least a portion of the solvent-smoothed exterior surface.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the solvent-based smoothing process comprises a vapor smoothing process.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising cooling the rapid-manufactured, three-dimensional object below room temperature prior to smoothing the exterior surface.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising monitoring a specular reflectivity of the exterior surface.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the media blasting comprises blasting with sodium bicarbonate.

15. A method for forming a surface-treated, three-dimensional object, the method comprising:

building at least a portion of a three-dimensional object with a rapid manufacturing technique, the three-dimensional object having an exterior surface;

increasing a specular reflectivity the exterior surface with a smoothing process; and

reducing the specular reflectivity the exterior surface with a media blasting process.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the smoothing process comprises a solvent-based smoothing process.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the solvent-based smoothing process comprises a vapor smoothing process.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the smoothing process reduces a porosity of the three-dimensional object at the exterior surface.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising monitoring the specular reflectivity of the exterior surface.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the media blasting process comprises blasting with sodium bicarbonate.