Post-Processing System For Solid Freeform Fabrication Parts
First Claim
1. A post-processing system for a part produced by solid freeform fabrication (SFF), the system comprising:
- a housing comprising a door that selectively defines an open position and a closed position, wherein the housing is substantially watertight when the door defines the closed position;
a part retaining device positioned within the housing and adapted to retain the part within the housing;
a fluid circulation device adapted to expose the part to a cleaning fluid; and
an actinic radiation source in optical communication with the part.
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.
61 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A post-processing system for a part produced by solid freeform fabrication (SFF), the system comprising:
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a housing comprising a door that selectively defines an open position and a closed position, wherein the housing is substantially watertight when the door defines the closed position; a part retaining device positioned within the housing and adapted to retain the part within the housing; a fluid circulation device adapted to expose the part to a cleaning fluid; and an actinic radiation source in optical communication with the part. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A post-processing system for a part produced by solid freeform fabrication, the system comprising:
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a housing adapted to receive the part; a part retaining device positioned within the housing and adapted to retain the part within the housing; a first rotating portion in mechanical communication with the part retaining device, wherein the first rotating portion rotates the part about a first axis relative to the housing; a second rotating portion in mechanical communication with the first rotating portion and the part retaining device, wherein the second rotating portion rotates the part about a second axis relative to the housing, wherein the second axis is different than the first axis; and a fluid circulation device adapted to expose the part to a cleaning fluid. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A post-processing system for a part produced by solid freeform fabrication, the system comprising:
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a housing defining an interior and adapted to receive the part; a first fluid circulation device adapted to selectively expose the part to a cleaning fluid to remove particles of uncured build material from the part; a second fluid circulation device adapted to selectively circulate the cleaning fluid without substantially exposing the part to the cleaning fluid; an actinic radiation source in optical communication with the interior of the housing; and a controller capable of selectively operating the first fluid circulation device, the second fluid circulation device, and the actinic radiation source in such a way that the actinic radiation source cures the part and cures the particles of build material suspended in the cleaning fluid. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification