Support cleaning system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automated method for removing a support structure from a three-dimensional model built with a fused deposition modeling system, the method comprising:
- providing a support cleaning system having a tank that is separated into first, second and third chambers with a first wall having first and second ends secured to spaced apart first and second locations on the tank and a second wall having a first end secured to the tank at a third location between the first and second locations and a second end secured to the first wall wherein the first, second and third chambers are in fluid communication with each other with a first plurality of pores in the first wall between the first chamber and the third chamber, a second plurality of pores in the first wall between the first chamber and the second chamber and a third plurality of pores in the second wall between the second chamber and the third chamber;
providing an impeller having blades configured to rotate within the third chamber wherein the blades are aligned with an opening in the first wall wherein the opening is spaced from the first plurality of pores;
inserting the three-dimensional model and the support structure into the first chamber;
introducing a liquid into the tank to fill the tank to a selected fill level;
introducing a solid support removal material into the second chamber wherein the solid support removal material dissolves in the liquid over time to form a support removal composition; and
generating a current with the impeller by forcing the support removal composition through the opening in the first wall and wherein the current causes flow of the support removal composition through an interior volume of the tank in a loop between the third, first, and second chambers such that dissolved solid support removal material in the second chamber is carried to the first chamber and the impeller causes the support removal material to flow into the first chamber to maintain a concentration of the support removal material in the support material removal composition in the first chamber, such that at least a first portion of the support structure is dissolved in the first chamber.
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Abstract
An automated support cleaning system comprising a tank disposed within a housing and configured to circulate an aqueous cleaning solution to remove a support structure from a three-dimensional model.
102 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An automated method for removing a support structure from a three-dimensional model built with a fused deposition modeling system, the method comprising:
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providing a support cleaning system having a tank that is separated into first, second and third chambers with a first wall having first and second ends secured to spaced apart first and second locations on the tank and a second wall having a first end secured to the tank at a third location between the first and second locations and a second end secured to the first wall wherein the first, second and third chambers are in fluid communication with each other with a first plurality of pores in the first wall between the first chamber and the third chamber, a second plurality of pores in the first wall between the first chamber and the second chamber and a third plurality of pores in the second wall between the second chamber and the third chamber; providing an impeller having blades configured to rotate within the third chamber wherein the blades are aligned with an opening in the first wall wherein the opening is spaced from the first plurality of pores; inserting the three-dimensional model and the support structure into the first chamber; introducing a liquid into the tank to fill the tank to a selected fill level; introducing a solid support removal material into the second chamber wherein the solid support removal material dissolves in the liquid over time to form a support removal composition; and generating a current with the impeller by forcing the support removal composition through the opening in the first wall and wherein the current causes flow of the support removal composition through an interior volume of the tank in a loop between the third, first, and second chambers such that dissolved solid support removal material in the second chamber is carried to the first chamber and the impeller causes the support removal material to flow into the first chamber to maintain a concentration of the support removal material in the support material removal composition in the first chamber, such that at least a first portion of the support structure is dissolved in the first chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for removing a support structure from a three-dimensional model built with a fused deposition modeling system, the method comprising:
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providing a tank having an interior volume configured to receive a solvent, where the interior volume is divided into a plurality of chambers via a plurality of porous walls with a first wall of the plurality of porous walls having first and second ends secured to spaced apart first and second locations on the tank and a second wall of the plurality of porous walls having a first end secured to the tank at a third location between the first and second locations and a second end secured to the first wall of the plurality of porous walls wherein the plurality of chambers comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber in fluid communication with each other with a first plurality of pores in the first wall of the plurality of porous walls between the first chamber and the third chamber, a second plurality of pores in the first wall of the plurality of porous walls between the first chamber and the second chamber, and a third plurality of pores in the second wall of the plurality of porous walls between the second chamber and the third chamber, wherein the plurality of porous walls configured to allow the solvent to flow therethrough wherein the first chamber of the plurality of chambers is configured to receive the three-dimensional model and support structure; providing an impeller pump having blades configured to rotate within the third chamber of the plurality of chambers wherein the blades are aligned with an opening in the first wall of the plurality of porous walls wherein said first wall separates the third chamber and the first chamber wherein the opening is spaced apart from pores in the first wall of the plurality of porous walls; providing a solid support material removal composition in the second chamber wherein the solid support material removal composition dissolves in the solvent over time; filling the tank with the solvent to a fill level; placing the three-dimensional model with the support structure in the first chamber; and generating a current in the interior volume of the tank wherein the impeller forces the solvent through the opening in the first wall of the plurality of porous walls separating the third and the first chamber and circulating the solvent in a loop through the plurality of chambers to at least partially remove the support structure from the three-dimensional model. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification