Machine for Removing Substrate Material from Parts Produced by a 3-D Printer
A machine for washing and removing substrate material for parts produced by a 3D printer. The machine includes a working chamber and a disposal chamber. The machine has at least one inlet in fluid communication with the working chamber. The disposal chamber is disposed adjacent to the working chamber. A dividing wall is disposed between the working chamber and the disposal chamber. A pump conveys a working fluid to the at least one inlet in the working chamber. The disposal chamber and the working chamber are disposed in fluid communication such that working fluid passes from the working chamber to the disposal chamber. The machine may also include an ultrasonic generator for generating ultrasonic vibrations within the working chamber and a heater for warming the working fluid.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/597,069, entitled “Machine for Removing Substrate Material from Parts Produced by a 3-D Printer” filed May 16, 2017, which claims priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/337,038 entitled “Machine for Removing Substrate Material from Parts Produced by a 3-D Printer” filed May 16, 2016, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSAt the outset, it should be clearly understood that like reference numerals are intended to identify the same structural elements, portions or surfaces consistently throughout the several drawing figures, as such elements, portions or surfaces may be further described or explained by the entire written specification, of which this detailed description is an integral part. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, debris, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof, (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or of rotation, as appropriate.
Referring generally to
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The fluid within the working chamber 16 flows over the dividing wall 28 into the disposal chamber 31 carrying smaller debris isolating the smaller debris from the working chamber 16. Once fluid containing smaller debris passes into the disposal chamber 31 it flows through a debris strainer 40. From the debris strainer 40, the remaining fluid passes through outlet 41 into a conduit (not shown) that leads to the intake 50 (
While the fluid is circulated within the machine 10, the fluid may also be heated by an heating element 49 which is housed behind a guard 52 within the working chamber 16. This heating element 49 is used to maintain the user set temperature. The heating element 49 may be powered by electrical energy or other suitable power source.
Mounted on the interior wall of the working chamber 16 is an ultrasonic submersible pack 63. An ultrasonic generator 64 may be located within the housing 13 beneath the working chamber 16. The ultrasonic submersible 63 is used to break away substrate material while the 3D printed parts are circulating within the working chamber 16.
Accordingly, the combination of mechanical fluid flow, chemical reaction with the working fluid, heat, and ultrasonic vibration may all be combined in the working chamber 16 to remove the substrate/scaffolding from the 3-D printed part.
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In operation, the lid 34 is opened and a part produced by a 3-D printer is inserted into the working chamber 16 for washing, and/or removal of a substrate/scaffold. The lid 34 is closed and a wash/rinse cycle is initiated via the computer control system 66. The control system 66 provides for customizable wash cycles. The control system includes a PLC controller with a HMI touchscreen. The part may be subject to numerous different conditions including controllable temperature, ultrasonic intensity, and water agitation intensity. The wash cycles may all include a high temperature, washing fluid containing chemicals for removing/dissolving the substrate. The control system 66 may also include a wired or wireless remote connection to a building automation system for remote control of the machine.
The system may also include the following features. The system may be provided with submerged high pressure jets. The system may be provided with submerged ultrasonic agitation. The jets/pump/ultrasonic generator may all be computer controlled on a varied basis. The system may provide for submersion part tumbling. An electronic heating element may be provided. Automatic temperature control for the chamber and the working fluid may be provided. The system may be computer controlled with user programmable cycles (e.g. time, intensity of agitation, temperature). The system may be provided with touch screen HMI. The system may be provided with safety features such as an emergency stop mushroom button, high temperature warnings, a float switch, an overflow drain, and a debris screen at the pump inlet. The system may be provided with swivel casters with a brake and a leveling feature. The system may include a manual fill and drain. The system may also include dual stage filtration. The system may use 110V/60 Hz or 220V/60 Hz electrical service. The lid may be hinged. The sump may be insulated. The system may be controlled by a microprocessor. The machine may be constructed with stainless steel. The exterior of the machine may be powder coated. There may be a split sump for substrate removal and isolation. The machine may include an easily removable parts basket.
Referring generally to
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The fluid within the working chamber 116 flows over the dividing wall 128 into the disposal chamber 131 carrying smaller debris isolating the smaller debris from the working chamber 116. Once fluid containing smaller debris passes into the disposal chamber 131 it flows through a debris strainer 140. From the debris strainer 140, the remaining fluid passes through outlet 141 into a conduit (not shown) that leads to the intake 150 of the pump 146. The pump 146 then conveys the fluid exiting the disposal chamber 131 from the pump outlet 151 through a conduit (not shown) into an inlet 157 for the filtration system 143a, 143b.
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The machine 100 may be provided with an automatic filling option such that when an oversize part is removed, the working chamber 116 will automatically refill until the level switch 147 detects the correct level of fluid inside the machine 100.
While the fluid is circulated within the machine 100, the fluid may also be heated by an heating element 149 which is housed behind a guard 152 within the working chamber 116. This heating element 149 is used to maintain the user set temperature. The heating element 149 may be powered by electrical energy or other suitable power source.
Mounted on the interior wall of the working chamber 116 is an ultrasonic submersible pack 163. An ultrasonic generator 164 may be located within the housing 113 beneath the working chamber 116. The ultrasonic submersible 163 is used to break away substrate material while the 3D printed parts are circulating within the working chamber 116.
Accordingly, the combination of mechanical fluid flow, chemical reaction with the working fluid, heat, and ultrasonic vibration may all be combined in the working chamber 116 to remove the substrate/scaffolding from the 3-D printed part.
Turning to
In operation, the lid 134 is opened and a part produced by a 3-D printer is inserted into the working chamber 116 for washing, and/or removal of a substrate/scaffold. The lid 134 is closed and a wash/rinse cycle is initiated via the computer control system 166. The control system 166 provides for customizable wash cycles. The control system includes a PLC controller with a HMI touchscreen. The part may be subject to numerous different conditions including controllable temperature, ultrasonic intensity, and water agitation intensity. The wash cycles may all include a high temperature, washing fluid containing chemicals for removing/dissolving the substrate. The control system 166 may also include a wired or wireless remote connection to a building automation system for remote control of the machine. As shown in
The present invention contemplates that many changes and modifications may be made. Therefore, while the presently-preferred form of the machine has been shown and described, and several modifications and alternatives discussed, persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that various additional changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined and differentiated by the following claims.
Claims
1. A machine for washing and removing substrate material for parts produced by a 3D printer, the machine comprising:
- a working chamber suitable for holding a working fluid and a part produced by a 3D printer;
- at least one inlet in fluid communication with the working chamber, the inlet configured and arranged to provide a curved flow path for the working fluid to remove substrate material from the part in the chamber;
- a disposal chamber disposed adjacent to the working chamber;
- a dividing wall disposed between the working chamber and the disposal chamber;
- a pump for conveying the working fluid to the at least one inlet;
- wherein the disposal chamber and the working chamber are disposed in fluid communication such that working fluid passes from the working chamber to the disposal chamber.
2. The machine of claim 1, further comprising at least one spray jet to produce the curved flow of working fluid to remove substrate material from the part in the chamber.
3. The machine of claim 2, wherein the at least one spray jet is disposed around the perimeter of the working chamber.
4. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a passageway between the working chamber and the disposal chamber.
5. The machine of claim 4, further comprising a perforated member disposed in the passageway between the working chamber and the disposal chamber.
6. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a debris strainer at an outlet in the disposal chamber.
7. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a conduit disposed in fluid communication between the outlet of the disposal chamber and an intake of the pump.
8. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a filtration system disposed between the pump and the working chamber.
9. The machine of claim 1, further comprising an ultrasonic generator disposed in the working chamber to generate ultrasonic vibration.
10. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a heating element for heating the working fluid in the working chamber.
11. The machine of claim 1, wherein the working fluid includes a chemical agent having a chemical composition effective for breaking down the substrate material.
12. The machine of claim 1, wherein the pump conveys filtered working fluid from the disposal chamber back to the working chamber.
13. A machine for washing and removing substrate material for parts produced by a 3D printer, the machine comprising:
- a working chamber configured and arranged to hold a working fluid and a part produced by a 3D printer;
- at least one inlet in fluid communication with the working chamber, the inlet configured and arranged to produce a curved flow pattern for the working fluid to remove substrate material from the part in the chamber;
- a disposal chamber disposed adjacent to the working chamber;
- a dividing wall disposed between the working chamber and the disposal chamber;
- a pump for conveying the working fluid to the at least one inlet, the working fluid having a chemical composition effective to break down the substrate material;
- an ultrasonic generator disposed in the housing to generate ultrasonic vibration in the working chamber;
- a heat source for warming the working fluid;
- wherein the disposal chamber and the working chamber are disposed in fluid communication such that working fluid passes from the working chamber to the disposal chamber.
14. The machine of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of multi-directional spray jets disposed in spaced apart relation to generate a circular flow pattern for the working fluid in the chamber.
15. The machine of claim 14, wherein the spray jets are disposed around the perimeter of the working chamber.
16. The machine of claim 13, further comprising a passageway between the working chamber and the disposal chamber.
17. The machine of claim 13, further comprising a debris strainer at an outlet in the disposal chamber.
18. The machine of claim 13, further comprising a conduit disposed in fluid communication between the outlet of the disposal chamber and an intake of the pump.
19. The machine of claim 13, further comprising a filtration system disposed between the pump and the working chamber.
20. A machine for washing and removing substrate material for parts produced by a 3D printer, the machine comprising:
- a working chamber configured and arranged to hold a working fluid and a part produced by a 3D printer;
- a plurality of spray jets arranged to generate flow of the working fluid in a circular direction within the working chamber to remove substrate material from the part in the chamber;
- a disposal chamber disposed adjacent to the working chamber, the disposal chamber having an outlet with a strainer disposed adjacent thereto;
- a dividing wall disposed between the working chamber and the disposal chamber;
- a pump for conveying the working fluid from the outlet of the disposal chamber to the plurality of spray jets, the working fluid having a chemical composition effective to break down the substrate material;
- an ultrasonic generator disposed in the housing to generate ultrasonic vibration in the working chamber;
- a heat source for warming the working fluid;
- a filtration system disposed between the pump and the spray jets;
- wherein the disposal chamber and the working chamber are disposed in fluid communication such that working fluid passes from the working chamber to the disposal chamber.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 10, 2018
Publication Date: Nov 1, 2018
Inventors: Joseph M. McMahon (North Tonawanda, NY), Scott A. Gilmour (Amherst, NY), Adam M. Moehlau (Cheektowaga, NY)
Application Number: 16/031,002