Abstract
Metal binding 3D printing machines enable to produce green parts by selectively gluing metal powder particles inside a print bucket, typically using printheads that jet a binding solution to a thin layer of powder; formation of three-dimensional parts happens by stacking such layers one on top of each other. After printing, the binder solutions (from now on “binder”) must go through a curing process. The curing process provides the parts with a “good enough” mechanical strength to undergo several subsequent cleaning processes, prior to entering the sintering oven. In the sintering furnace, the metal particles diffuse and form a single fully densified 3D part. After the curing process, the parts are called “green parts”, and are “buried” inside the bed of loose powder. They then must be excavated and cleaned, but they are still intrinsically weak and susceptible to be damaged. The process of removing all the powder in which the 3D parts are floating, without damaging them, is called decaking and it is an integral part of the 3D printing production process.
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Recommended Citation
INC, HP, "HANDEHELD DEVICE FOR AIDED FINE CLEANING OF GREEN PARTS", Technical Disclosure Commons, (February 17, 2023)
https://www.tdcommons.org/dpubs_series/5684