Resin Contamination Prevention in 3D Printing

Washing apparatus and methods for cleaning 3D printed parts to remove uncured resin. The apparatus has an open-topped vessel with inlets, drains, and valves. Two storage containers are connected to the pump and valves. The pump moves solvent between the vessels and the vessel inlets. After 3D printing, the part is placed in the vessel. The pump pumps solvent from one storage container into the vessel. Then, the valves switch and the pump pumps solvent from the other storage container into the vessel. This repeatedly flushes the part with solvent and drains the uncured resin.

Source

A sealed 3D printing output cleaning device that improves safety, reduces waste, and recycles unreacted resin. The device has a separate, enclosed cleaning tank that holds a recirculating cleaning liquid. After cleaning the 3D printed output with misted cleaning fluid while rotating it, the output is dried with air mist. The cleaning liquid is filtered and recycled to remove unreacted resin. This prevents toxic vapors and resin waste compared to open systems.

Source

3D printer platform cleaning device that efficiently removes waste from the printing platform and captures the dust generated during cleaning to prevent contamination. The device has a sliding chute with a rotatable connection to rods on either end. The chute has a waste storage mechanism on the platform side and a dust storage mechanism on the rod side. The dust storage mechanism connects to a suction mechanism that captures the dust raised during cleaning and transfers it to a central processing location. The platform waste storage and dust collection prevent contamination from spreading.

Source

3D printer to print implantable bone scaffolds in an aseptic environment. The printer uses a sterile cartridge of biodegradable printing material. A movable sterile receiving plate catches the printed scaffold. A cover with UV light maintains the aseptic environment inside. The cover has a filter and positive airflow to keep out contaminants. The printer also has a heater to melt the printing material for extrusion. The sterile cartridge and receiving plate can be replaced for each print to ensure sterility.

Source

A filament feed system for 3D printers to enable sealed filament pathways to prevent moisture absorption. The system uses detachable filament supplies with connector keys that plug into printer receptacles. The keys have different shapes to fit specific receptacles. They also have guide tubes to enclose the filament path from the supply to the printer. The keys seal the receptacles to prevent air/moisture ingress.

Source

Model post-processing method to safely clean and cure 3D printed parts without explosive hazards. The method involves spraying cleaning fluid into the print chamber to remove uncured resin, then purifying the chamber gas to reduce cleaning component concentration. This prevents excessive cleaning component levels during UV curing that could cause explosions. The purification reduces flammable component levels and improves safety during curing.

Source

Three-dimensional printing with enhanced resolutions and cleaning capabilities. The 3D printing system uses a projector to project the appropriate energy onto forming materials in a reservoir tank to create a solid object. The projector can be customized to emit the required energy (e.g., UV light) for specific materials like resins, ceramics, metals, biologies, etc. The printer also has a cleaning method that coagulates debris in the tank using the projector and a removable bottom surface geometry.

Source

A multi-stage wash system to clean 3D printed objects made using vat polymerization (VP) 3D printing, such as SLA and DLP. The system removes uncured resin from the printed objects by pumping a wash solvent through multiple wash stages for efficient cleaning. It uses an automatic stirring device to agitate the solvent and a drying system to remove residual solvent. The system also monitors resin concentration in the wash solvent to determine replacement.

Source

Wash system for removing residual resin from 3D printed objects created using vat polymerization (VP) processes like stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP). The system has multiple stages for efficient, reliable, and user-friendly washing and drying. It uses a wash reservoir with agitation, solvent cartridges, concentration monitoring, adaptive wash durations, and recycling. The system also prevents splashing and allows solvent replacement.

Source

Three-dimensional shaping apparatus and method for 3D printing that allows cleaning the nozzle during printing to prevent material leaks. It has a cleaning mechanism separate from the print area that can be activated mid-print to clean the nozzle. The cleaning process is triggered when pressure in the nozzle exceeds a threshold. The nozzle moves to the cleaning area, is cleaned, and then returns to printing once pressure is normal. This prevents material leaks during printing that can mar the object being printed.

Source

A multi-stage wash system for removing uncured resin from 3D printed objects created using vat polymerization (VP) processes and removing residual wash solvent. The system has stages like preliminary and fine washing, with adaptive wash durations based on factors like resin type and concentration. An agitator creates turbulence to clean better. The system monitors resin concentration and replaces solvent when needed. It also has features like auto refilling, observation windows, and slanted draining to prevent splashing.

Source

Multi-stage wash system for removing uncured resin from 3D printed objects created using vat polymerization 3D printing processes. The system has a wash reservoir with agitation, solvent cartridges, resin concentration monitoring, and air-drying. The wash stages include preliminary wash with high solvent level and fine wash with lower level. The system prevents solvent splashing, uses agitation, and monitors resin concentration to optimize cleaning efficiency.

Source

A multi-stage wash system for removing uncured resin from 3D printed objects created using vat polymerization (VP) processes like stereolithography. The system has multiple stages with agitation, resin concentration monitoring, and solvent recirculation. It uses a wash reservoir with an adapter for the 3D printer build platform, and an observation window. The wash solvent is pumped in, agitated, and drained. Resin concentration is monitored to replace solvent when needed. The stages are preliminary wash to remove most resin, then fine wash to remove remaining. The solvent can be recycled between stages. The multi-stage process improves cleaning efficiency over single stage methods.

Source

Self-cleaning 3D printing device that automatically removes impurities like debris after printing to prevent contamination of future prints. The device has guide rails, support rods, a cleaning frame, and a brush. The rods connect the frame to the guide rails. The frame has a cleaning brush. The rods also connect to suction cups that fix the rods in place. This allows the frame and brush to move up and down the rails to clean the 3D printer bed. The frame has electronics with a probe head and controller. This allows the frame to be remotely operated to initiate cleaning.

Source

Cleaning device for multi-material 3D printing that integrates the printing platform and cleaning/drying functions to improve accuracy and efficiency compared to separate devices. The cleaning device has a base, printing platform, and rotating cleaning/drying unit. After printing, the cleaning unit is rotated below the platform to clean and dry, then rotated away to allow printing. This fixed platform position prevents movement during printing. The integrated cleaning/drying also has features like ultrasonic cleaning and air drying to prevent contamination between materials.

Source

Self-leveling ultrasonic cleaning box for multi-material 3D printing that allows switching between different materials without contamination. The cleaning box has ultrasonic cleaning, bubble generation, and air outlet features. It uses ultrasonic cleaning to remove residue, a bubble generator to prevent material mixing, and an air outlet to dry the parts. This ensures materials don't contaminate each other during multi-material 3D printing.

Source

Self-leveling ultrasonic cleaning box and method for multi-material 3D printing to prevent contamination between different materials during printing. The cleaning box uses ultrasonic cleaning, bubble generation, and air outlet to ensure materials won't contaminate when switching between prints. This involves an ultrasonic generator, bubble generator, self-leveling liquid outlet, and return port. The cleaning method involves submerging the printed part in the box, ultrasonically cleaning it, generating bubbles to dislodge residue, then blowing out the liquid.

Source

Cleaning device for multi-material 3D printing that integrates printing and cleaning functions to improve efficiency and prevent contamination between materials. The device has a base, printing platform, and rotating cleaning/drying unit. During printing, the cleaning unit is below the platform. After printing, the cleaning unit rotates to clean and dry the part. This allows switching between printing and cleaning without separate equipment. The device also has an ultrasonic cleaning box with a scraper to prevent material mixing. The box has a double scraper, integrated feeding, and material spreading to improve layering efficiency.

Source

A cleaning system and method for efficiently removing uncured, solidifiable material from 3D printed objects after production to prevent contamination and waste. The system uses a combination of vacuum, solvent, and ultraviolet (UV) light to clean the objects. It involves placing the printed object in the cleaning chamber, vacuuming to remove loose particles, spraying solvent to dissolve uncured resin, and exposing to UV light to cure any remaining resin. This allows complete cleaning and prevention of resin waste without hazardous disposal.

Source

A multi-material 3D printing cleaning system to prevent material contamination during multi-material 3D printing. The system has a conveyor to move cleaning agent, a cleaning machine to immerse and agitate the printed parts, and a waste treatment mechanism to recirculate the cleaning fluid. This allows immediate cleaning of printed parts to prevent material mixing between layers.

Source

A sealed powder cleaning station for 3D printing that fully encloses the cleaning process to prevent powder spreading and pollution. The station has a main frame, a forming cylinder, a vibrating screen assembly, a vibration motor, a 3D printing chamber, and a powder supply mechanism. The forming cylinder with a guide frame moves through the enclosed cleaning chamber to capture and transport the 3D printed part covered in powder. The vibrating screen assembly and motor agitate the powder off the part. This sealed cleaning process prevents powder spread and waste compared to open tables. The 3D printing chamber and powder supply mechanism enable integrated printing and cleaning.

Source

Multi-stage wash system for efficiently removing uncured resin from 3D printed objects made using vat polymerization. The system has a wash reservoir, agitator, pump, and solvent cartridges. It uses multiple stages with adaptive wash times based on resin type, concentration, and amount. The stages are rinsing, splashing, and jetting. Resin concentration monitoring alerts when solvent needs replacement. The wash solvent level and agitator speed are selected for each stage.

Source

A 3D printer with an integrated cleaning system to easily remove resin from the build platform and printed parts after printing is complete. The cleaning system includes an air blower to remove uncured resin from the platform and printed parts, and a washing unit with an alcohol sprayer to clean the platform and parts further. The cleaning is done automatically after printing by moving the build platform up to separate the printed parts, then blasting air to remove resin and spraying alcohol to clean. This prevents resin waste and simplifies post-print cleaning compared to manually separating the platform and moving it to a separate cleaning area.

Source

Cleaning method and apparatus for 3D printed structures that prevents mixing of different materials during printing. The cleaning involves contacting the printed structure with a roll of absorbent paper that removes uncured resin. The paper is supplied, placed beneath the structure, the structure is pressed onto it, then the paper is recovered. This allows complete cleaning without solvents or immersion. The roll configuration allows continuous paper movement between supply and recovery units. The paper supports the structure during cleaning to prevent deformation.

Source

Detecting contamination and failure modes in additive fabrication devices like 3D printers. The device uses light sensors to measure the intensity of light reflected or scattered from contamination on the optical window. By analyzing the light sensor data, the device can identify contamination and failure modes.

Source

Cleaning method for 3D printed objects made by stereolithography to remove residual resin from the surface. The cleaning involves immersing the printed object in a cleaning liquid while it remains attached to the build platform. The object is then agitated in the liquid to dislodge resin. After draining the liquid, the object is further oscillated to remove any remaining liquid. This multi-step cleaning process is repeated to thoroughly remove excess resin. The cleaning parameters can be customized based on object characteristics and resin type. The cleaning container is designed with features like a reservoir, elevator, and discharge line to facilitate repeated cleaning cycles.

Source

A closed-loop washing system for 3D printed parts to recycle and reuse the cleaning solvent. The system uses a pump, filter, radiation source, tank, and timer to circulate and clean the solvent inside a cavity. This allows washing the printed parts without replacing the solvent, preventing contamination and waste.

Source

Clean intelligent 3D printer using AI detection to automatically clean the printing platform. The printer has a cleaning assembly that uses electromagnetic force to move a cleaning block back and forth over the platform. The cleaning block has a brush or cloth to remove dust and debris. The cleaning assembly is driven by coils and a strut. An AI detection system monitors the platform for contamination and triggers the cleaning assembly to operate when needed. This prevents impurities from adhering to the platform during printing and improves print quality.

Source