RECOVERY OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING SUPPORT MATERIALS

摘要

The inventions is directed to a method for recovering support materials used in an additive manufacturing process. The method comprises exposing a precursor additive manufactured article comprised of a water soluble support polymer and an insoluble material to water. The water soluble support polymer is dissolved in the water. The remaining article is then removed from the water. The dissolved water soluble polymer is precipitated from the water. The precipitated polymer is separated from the water and any remaining water removed to recover the water soluble support polymer. The recovered water soluble support polymer may then be re-used to make further additive manufactured articles.