Colorado School of Mines (20240261863). SELF-TERMINATING ETCHING PROCESSES FOR POST-PROCESSING OF 3D PRINTED METAL ALLOYS simplified abstract
Contents
SELF-TERMINATING ETCHING PROCESSES FOR POST-PROCESSING OF 3D PRINTED METAL ALLOYS
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Owen J. Hildreth of Lakewood CO (US)
Subbarao Raikar of Golden CO (US)
SELF-TERMINATING ETCHING PROCESSES FOR POST-PROCESSING OF 3D PRINTED METAL ALLOYS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240261863 titled 'SELF-TERMINATING ETCHING PROCESSES FOR POST-PROCESSING OF 3D PRINTED METAL ALLOYS
The patent application describes a process for selectively removing material from a metal part fabricated through additive manufacturing in a self-terminating manner. This process can be used to remove support structures, trapped powder, and smooth surfaces of 3D printed metal parts.
- The process involves treating selected surfaces of the metal part to make them mechanically and chemically unstable, allowing for the removal of the unstable portion through chemical, electrochemical, pressure differential, and vapor-phase etching methods.
- The metal part can be made of aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, or copper alloy, and the process can modify fluid or vapor-accessible regions and surfaces of the 3D printed metal part.
Potential Applications: - Aerospace industry for lightweight and complex metal parts - Automotive industry for customized metal components - Medical industry for implants and prosthetics
Problems Solved: - Efficient removal of support structures and trapped powder from metal parts - Smoothing surfaces of 3D printed metal parts without damaging the structure
Benefits: - Cost-effective post-processing of metal parts - Improved surface finish and quality - Enhanced design flexibility for complex metal components
Commercial Applications: Title: Advanced Metal Part Post-Processing Technology for Additive Manufacturing This technology can be utilized by additive manufacturing companies, aerospace manufacturers, automotive companies, and medical device manufacturers to enhance the quality and efficiency of metal part production.
Questions about the technology: 1. How does the process of making selected surfaces mechanically and chemically unstable contribute to the removal of material from metal parts? 2. What are the advantages of using chemical, electrochemical, pressure differential, and vapor-phase etching methods for material removal in additive manufacturing?
Original Abstract Submitted
a process is provided to remove a selective amount of material from a metal part fabricated by additive manufacturing in a self-terminating manner. the process can be used to remove support structures and trapped powder from a metal part as well as to smooth surfaces of a 3d printed metal part. in one embodiment, selected surfaces of the metal part are treated to make the selected surfaces at least one of mechanically and chemically unstable. the unstable portion of the metal support can then be removed chemically, electrochemically, with a pressure differential, and/or through vapor-phase etching. in one embodiment, the metal part may comprise one or more of an aluminum alloy, a titanium alloy, and a copper alloy. the process can be used to modify any fluid or vapor-accessible regions and surfaces of a 3d printed metal part.
