Methods for Cleaning and Curing Solid Freeform Fabrication Parts
First Claim
1. A method of post-processing a part produced by solid freeform fabrication (SFF), the method comprising:
- positioning the part within a substantially watertight housing of a post-processing system;
exposing the part to cleaning fluid circulated within the housing; and
curing the part with actinic radiation within the housing,wherein the part is cleaned and cured without removing the part from the housing.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A post-processing system is provided for cleaning and/or curing a part produced by solid freeform fabrication (SFF). The post-processing systems include a housing, a part retaining device to retain the part within the housing, and an actinic radiation source to cure the part with actinic radiation. The systems also include a fluid circulation device adapted to expose the part to cleaning fluid and/or to allow the cleaning fluid to absorb actinic radiation to permit filtration of removed build material to allow extended use of the cleaning fluid. Certain systems include a first rotating portion that can rotate the retained part about a first axis, and further systems include a second rotating portion that can rotate the retained part about a second axis. The systems also include additional features to provide safe and efficient cleaning and/or curing of parts produced by SFF.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of post-processing a part produced by solid freeform fabrication (SFF), the method comprising:
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positioning the part within a substantially watertight housing of a post-processing system; exposing the part to cleaning fluid circulated within the housing; and curing the part with actinic radiation within the housing, wherein the part is cleaned and cured without removing the part from the housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of post-processing a part produced by solid freeform fabrication (SFF), the method comprising:
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positioning the part within a part retaining device within the housing of a post-processing system; rotating the part about a first axis relative to the housing; rotating the part about a second axis relative to the housing, wherein the second axis is different than the first axis; and exposing the part to cleaning fluid circulated within the housing. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of post-processing a part produced by solid freeform fabrication (SFF), the method comprising:
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positioning the part within a housing of a post-processing system; exposing the part to cleaning fluid circulated by a first fluid circulation device; curing the part with actinic radiation from an actinic radiation source; circulating the cleaning fluid with a second fluid circulation device without substantially exposing the part to the cleaning fluid, wherein circulating the cleaning fluid comprises circulating the cleaning fluid in optical communication with the actinic radiation source to cure particles of previously uncured build material removed from the part by the cleaning fluid. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification