Post processing three-dimensional objects formed by selective deposition modeling
US7285237B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 2004 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 19, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y40/20
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for removing supports from a three-dimensional objected formed by selective deposition modeling. The three-dimensional object is formed from a curable phase change material and the supports are formed from a non-curable phase change material. The curable phase change material contains between about 5% to about 25% of a non-reactive wax in order to achieve the desired phase change characteristics of the material. When removing the supports with heat, discoloration undesirably occurs in the three-dimensional object as the non-reactive wax migrates within the object. The method prevents wax migration by cooling the object slowly past the freezing point of the build material such that a temperature differential no greater than about 5° C. is present within the object. With the preferred build material having a freezing point of about 49.5° C., this is achieved by lowering the temperature between about 62° C. to about 52° C. over a period of between about 5 to about 10 minutes so that the temperature of the regions of the object remain substantially equal as the freezing point is crossed during cooling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.