3D printing has made waves as a game-changing innovation that opens up a whole new realm of design and manufacture possibilities for the commercial world. The technology behind the 3D printer allows firms to build full-size parts from a variety of materials without an expensive machining process. Ultrasonic cleaning has an integral place in the burgeoning, revolutionary 3D printer market.
FDM 3D Printing
One of the most popular types of 3D printing is called fuse deposit modeling, or FDM. This process uses a machine that makes droplet-sized beads of a resin material, and slowly builds the form of the product or part that needs to be printed. These beads fuse together to form a cohesive component.
Materials used in this process are resins, such as:
- ABS plastic
- Polycarbonate
- Polycarbonate-ISO (used in medical fields
- Nylon 12
- PC ABS
When the printer is building the desired product, it must first create a support mold to allow the product to retain its shape as it is being built and hardening. Once the product has been completed, the support mold must be removed. To do this, the product and mold must be placed into an ultrasonic cleaner and dissolved.
Ultrasonic Cleaners and the FDM 3D Printer
Dissolving a mold requires a solvent, time, and preferably some amount of agitation to penetrate the solute as well as speed up the process.
Two of the most popular FDM printers are the Stratasys MC360 and MC400. These machines can create full-size parts in a healthy range of sizes, while still fitting inside of a moderately sized room.
Omegasonic’s 1900BT ultrasonic cleaner is the ideal partner for the MC360 and MC400. The 1900BT’s tank is large enough to handle and possible part that is manufactured in those two machines. The 1900BT also has an illuminated digital control panel that makes the process of removing the support mold easy, fast, and thorough. Its medium-sized form factor additionally makes it perfect for an office setting.
What’s more, the 1900BT comes with a customized submerging basket, complete with a unique hinging lid that makes placing and removing parts a breeze. The basket ensures that any placed parts will be fully submerged, ensuring the maximum amount of cleaning.
The 3D Printer and the Ultrasonic Cleaner: A Partnership Made in Heaven
Thanks to the engineering marvel that is FDM and the convenience of the Omegasonic ultrasonic cleaners, rapid prototyping is possible. When your parts are thoroughly cleaned and ready for assembly, you’ll be able to refine your concepts and bring new ideas to the marketplace faster than ever before.
