Abstract: The present application describes apparatus (100) for colouring an additively manufactured polymer part, comprising a chamber (106) for locating at least one additively manufactured polymer part (105) to be coloured, a first reservoir (102) for containing dye pigment particles to be suspended in a gas, and fluidly coupled to the chamber, and a further reservoir (104) for containing a solvent vapour, and fluidly coupled to the chamber. A method of colouring an additively manufactured polymer part is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for post-processing an additively manufactured polymer part, comprising a reservoir (402) for containing a liquid solvent; a processing chamber (408) in controllable fluid communication with the reservoir; and a controller (418) configured to controllably post-process an additively manufactured polymer part located in the processing chamber by the solvent responsive to at least one parameter associated with the part. A method for post-processing an additively manufactured polymer part is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing powder from a powder-based additively manufactured part includes a chamber for locating a powder-based additively manufactured part therein, a support mesh for supporting a powder cake that includes one or more parts therein, an inlet for introducing a gas into the chamber to flow throughout the powder cake and fluidise the powder to disengage from the part, and an outlet to allow the gas to exit the chamber. The apparatus further includes a cryogenic blasting system for spraying a mixture of liquid CO2 and compressed air at the powder-based additively manufactured part to remove powder therefrom.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, there is provided a method for smoothing a surface of an additively manufactured metal part. The method comprises applying a chemical to a stepped surface of an additively manufactured part to at least soften a binder material supporting unprocessed powder particles of the part and allowing the powder particles at the surface to flow under the influence of gravity into recesses defined by the stepped surface to thereby reduce a roughness of the surface. Advantageously, it has been found that the afore-described method is able to provide a part having an improved surface smoothness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100) for automatically processing an additively manufactured part. The system comprises an inspection module (120) for determining at least one part parameter associated with a surface finish quality of the part, a processing module (118) for processing a surface of the part responsive to the at least one part parameter and controller (102) configured to modify a processing parameter of a surface finishing process, performed by the processing module, based on the at least one part parameter determined by the inspection module.

Abstract: The present application describes apparatus for removing powder from a powder-based additively manufactured part, comprising at least one chamber (106) to contain a fluid, a device to induce flow in the fluid to agitate and remove powder from a powder-based additively manufactured part located therein, and an ultrasound generating transducer (121) to produce ultrasonic waves in the or a further fluid and agitate and remove powder from the powder-based additively manufactured part located therein. Methods of removing powder from a powder-based additively manufactured part and a method of cooling a powder cake supporting a powder-based additively manufactured part are also described.

Abstract: The present application describes apparatus (100) for colouring an additively manufactured polymer part, comprising a chamber (106) for locating at least one additively manufactured polymer part (105) to be coloured, a first reservoir (102) for containing dye pigment particles to be suspended in a gas, and fluidly coupled to the chamber, and a further reservoir (104) for containing a solvent vapour, and fluidly coupled to the chamber. A method of colouring an additively manufactured polymer part is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for post-processing an additively manufactured polymer part, comprising a reservoir (402) for containing a liquid solvent; a processing chamber (408) in controllable fluid communication with the reservoir; and a controller (418) configured to controllably post-process an additively manufactured polymer part located in the processing chamber by the solvent responsive to at least one parameter associated with the part. A method for post-processing an additively manufactured polymer part is also provided.