by Industrial Print Magazine Staff
Post-processing an additive manufactured (AM) part is challenging. Multiple techniques are available such as depowdering and debinding, and each require a different solution to achieve the desired end result. The number of available products can be overwhelming, but we’ve narrowed down some viable options here from companies strictly providing post-processing hardware to vendors like Formlabs streamlining post-processing by offer an ecosystem that includes both a three-dimensional (3D) printer and post-processing tools.
DyeMansion
DyeMansion offers complete, connected, and fully integrated end-to-end solutions for all finishing steps for 3D printed polymer parts. The processes solve an urgent industry need for cleaning different surfacing options depending on the application and coloring.
The Powerfuse S model is designed to smooth 3D printed polypropylene (PP). According to the company, it is the first “green” vapor polishing solution for highly industrial manufacturing and surface improvements beyond aesthetics to smooth 3D printed PP. The classic Powerfuse S model works with all common rigid and flexible materials on the market such as PA, TPU, and ULTEM. The new Powerfuse S PP is dedicated for the processing of PP.
Elnik Systems
Known as a global leader in debind and sinter equipment, Elnik manufactures advanced AM debind and sinter furnaces. Of note, the MIM 3000 sintering furnace, which processes any metal with any binder in a one-step debinding and sintering cycle, without having to move the parts. This is accomplished through a gas tight refractory metal retort with a gas management system.
HP Inc. recently announced a partnership with Elnik. The two collaborated to help drive adoption of metal additive part making technology. Elnik modified its standard metal injection molding debind and sinter furnace to accommodate the requirements demanded by HP technology.
Formlabs
Formlabs selective laser sinter and stereolithography (SLA) ecosystems both include post-processing tools, with the recent addition of the Fuse Blast—a fully automated cleaning and polishing solution for the Fuse Ecosystem. Users spend five minutes or less extracting parts on the Fuse Sift, a compact and efficient powder management station that reclaims unsintered powder and automatically prepares new powder for the next print. Then, the Fuse Blast automatically removes residual powder and smooths the part surface, delivering customer-ready parts that are clean to the touch and exhibit a smooth, semi-gloss surface finish in as little as 15 minutes.
Formlabs also automates SLA post-processing with the Form Wash and Form Cure. The Form Cure precisely agitates parts in isopropyl alcohol to get every nook and cranny perfectly clean. Form Cure then heats and cures parts with LEDs to bring out their maximum mechanical properties.
Inert
Inert provides PowderShield to safely depowder AM parts. It is a customizable enclosure that inertizes the process of removing residual powders used in 3D printing. The depowdering process and operator are protected with a repeatable hermetic seal that prevents inhalation of particles, and the system is electrically grounded to prevent static buildup and potential ignition of metal powders.
The PowderShield enclosure is the base of the system and is built with a reapeatable hermetic seal, hinged window panel, LED lighting, and stand. Various optional features provide unique depowdering solutions, including rotating tilt table, vacuum hose, blow off gun, unidirectional flow, and other components for safety and efficiency.
After powders are removed, the gravity-fed chute collects and contains powders for reuse, and can be integrated with sieves, powder hoppers, and collection kegs.
PostProcess Technologies
The company’s automated support removal and surface finishing solutions are designed to be compatible with a number of 3D printing technologies, both plastics and metals. The following printing technologies are supported and have been proven by PostProcess, including PolyJet, fused deposition modeling, SLA, selective laser sintering, digital light processing, MultiJet Fusion, direct metal laser sintering, directed energy deposition, and electron beam melting.
Solutions like its DEMI series of products automate support and resin removal using patented and patent-pending software and exclusive chemistry technologies. The proprietary process reliably removes support materials from all 3D printed parts while reducing cycle time and increasing productivity.
Solukon
Solukon is a pioneer and technical leader of automated depowdering in AM. The company, located in Augsburg, Germany, has extensive experience in the development of AM systems and related peripheral equipment and offers a full range of industrial post-processing systems. Solukon has installed depowdering systems in 28 countries and is the supplier of choice of the leading rocket manufacturers. The systems are approved for safe and reliable processing of powder materials, including tough-to-handle and reactive metal powders. Solukon provides four different systems, each optimized for different part sizes and applications. The powder removal systems fit for every laser powder bed fusion manufacturing system on the market.
Finish Up
Advantages of automating post-processing of 3D printed parts are many and the current providers in this space continue to make strides in creating efficient solutions while offering customers safe operating environments.
Feb2024, Industrial Print Magazine