Abstract: A system and method are described for post-processing a 3D printed component. For example, support structures for the 3D printed component may be removed during post-processing. In the system and method, a marker is placed on the 3D printed component or on a support structure attached to the 3D printed component. The marker may be printed while the 3D printed component and the support structures are printed by a 3D printer. After printing, the marker may then be sensed to determine one or more cutting paths between the 3D printed component and the support structures. The 3D printed component may then be autonomously separated from the support structures by cutting through the cutting path.

Abstract: A system and method are described for post-processing a 3D printed component. For example, support structures for the 3D printed component may be removed during post-processing. In the system and method, a first image of a component is stored in memory. A second image of a 3D printed component corresponding to the component is also captured. One or more cutting paths between the 3D printed component and the support structures is then determined based on the first image and the second image. The 3D printed component may then be autonomously separated from the support structures by cutting through the cutting path.

Abstract: A system and method are described for post-processing 3D printed components. Post-processing may include removing support structures for the 3D printed components and may also include other processes like assembling 3D printed components into finished products. In the system and method, post-processing strategies are iteratively generated and performed on 3D printed components. Performance metrics of the post-processing strategies are compared with a user-defined performance indicator in a learning process to improve the post-processing strategy over a number of 3D printed components.