Removing soluble support material from rapid prototype part

摘要

A container has been devised for use with a rapid prototype part making machine, specifically of the type having Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) capabilities. The container includes a liner that has an exterior surface and that is expandable to define a mouth portion and a volume for receiving, via the mouth portion, a rapid prototype part having soluble support material deposited on the rapid prototype part. An inlet port is formed on the exterior surface and is in fluid communication with the volume. An outlet port is formed on the exterior surface and is in fluid communication with the volume. A sealing arrangement is configured and arranged to selectively substantially prevent egress of an aqueous cleaning solution from the mouth portion of the liner. The inlet port is configured to introduce the aqueous cleaning solution into the volume to remove the soluble support material from the rapid prototype part.

主权项

1. A method of removing soluble support material from a rapid prototype part, the method comprising:
placing the rapid prototype part in an expandable container formed from a degradable material and having an inlet port and an outlet port, the container defining a mouth portion; substantially sealing the mouth portion to selectively substantially prevent egress of an aqueous cleaning solution from the mouth portion; connecting the inlet port to a supply of the aqueous cleaning solution; and dissolving the soluble support material at least by pumping the aqueous cleaning solution through the container via the inlet port to immerse the rapid prototype part in the aqueous cleaning solution and out of the container through the outlet port with a pressure differential relative to the inlet port to agitate and separate the soluble support material from the rapid prototype part.