Machine for Removing Substrate Material from Parts Produced by a 3-D Printer

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.