How Smart Chemistry for 3D Printed Parts Optimizes Support Removal for PolyJet Technology Learn about traditional methods vs. new technologies that intelligently leverage chemical solutions along with mechanical energy to achieve efficiencies in PolyJet post-processing.
PolyJet™ 3D printing is one of the most common Additive Manufacturing build types used in industry and in labs. PolyJet printing layers are jetted liquid photopolymers that are instantly UV cured to create 3D models that can be handled immediately. Clean surface finishes, intricate geometries, and flexible materials are a few reasons PolyJet usage nearly doubled from 2016 to 2017. Regardless of material, in order to support pre-defined geometries, 3D parts are printed with a support material that needs to be removed to fully reveal the part and finish the product.
A number of existing methods have been adapted to address support removal, ranging from the mechanical use of water through a pressure washer to submersion baths with caustic agents chemically removing the support. Each of the traditional support removal solutions suffers from consistency and throughput limitations. What the Additive Manufacturing process has been lacking is a comprehensive post-print solution that intelligently leverages both chemical and mechanical energy simultaneously to efficiently address the increasing geometry complexity, material options, and productivity of PolyJet printers. Such an intelligent solution could offer significant advantages in throughput and end part consistency to drive efficiency for post-printing operations, especially as volume of PolyJet printing continues to grow in industrial use.
Learn more about automated PolyJet support material removal by downloading the White Paper.
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