Publish-processing programs producer PostProcess Applied sciences has been granted its fiftieth patent highlighting the corporate’s ongoing focus in automating one of many missed phases of additive manufacturing.
Based mostly in Buffalo, New York, the corporate has spent greater than a decade creating in-house programs to automate assist removing, resin cleansing, and half ending, lowering the guide labor nonetheless widespread in post-print workflows.
The brand new patent provides to a broad portfolio protecting {hardware}, software program, and chemistry, all designed to work collectively throughout completely different print strategies and manufacturing volumes. Its inner authorized technique has been a part of that effort from the start, working parallel to product growth as the corporate constructed instruments designed for repeatability and scale.
“PostProcess has taken an intentional, strategic method to IP from day one,” mentioned Frank Kozak, Normal Counsel at PostProcess. “These patent grants are an affirmation of developments within the area of post-processing and a validation of our method to innovation. We’ve been in a position to transfer shortly, keep high quality, and make sure that each patent aligns with our long-term imaginative and prescient to automate and scale post-printing.”
Latest additions concentrate on automation
Since its inception in 2014, the Buffalo-based firm has aimed to shut that hole with gear designed for consistency and throughput. Its BASE and DEMI programs that includes proprietary applied sciences for assist and resin removing are already in use throughout a variety of manufacturing environments.
In latest months, the corporate has expanded its product lineup with machines focused at extra particular use instances. In April, it launched the DEMI X 200 Plus, a compact desktop post-processing unit that consolidates rinsing, drying, and curing right into a single system for stereolithography (SLA) and digital mild processing (DLP) workflows. Designed for smaller manufacturing areas, the machine is meant to scale back guide intervention with out compromising high quality or velocity.
Simply earlier than that, PostProcess launched a system designed for dental labs utilizing PolyJet 3D printers. The DEMI X 520 for Dental PolyJet incorporates preset agitation and temperature controls, together with purpose-built chemistries and one-touch operation, permitting labs to course of a better quantity of components with out counting on fixed operator enter.
The corporate additionally delivered its 800th system this spring, supplying a DEMI 4100 unit to Germany-based service supplier PartsToGo. Supporting Stratasys NEO and J Sequence 3D printers, the machine has been added to the corporate’s workflow to satisfy rising demand throughout industries the place quick turnaround and half consistency are vital.
“Our fiftieth granted patent is greater than only a quantity, it’s a testomony to the relentless drive of our group to repeatedly innovate,” mentioned Jeff Mize, CEO of PostProcess Applied sciences. “The ingenuity of our group, mixed with invaluable enter from our 500+ clients, continues to gas game-changing options to the market.”
Publish-processing patents
Away from PostProcess, Swedish 3D printer producer Freemelt was granted patents for a post-processing technique designed to clear extra powder from the hard-to-reach interiors of 3D printed steel components. Geared toward elements with slender inner channels, the method concerned filling the half with saline water then freezing it to create thermal enlargement.
Because the water turns to ice, it disrupts the bonds holding residual powder in place, making it simpler to flush out. The patents additionally outlined refinements, together with fuel removing and repeated freezing cycles to boost powder clearance.
Publish-process programs producer LuxYours secured a patent for its Iterative Flux Smoothing (IFS) know-how, a chemical post-processing technique designed to boost the floor high quality of 3D printed plastic components. The method works by gently liquefying the outer layer of a component, then permitting it to solidify right into a smoother, extra sturdy end.
Built-in into the corporate’s LUXMatic 700 system, IFS operates inside a sealed chamber utilizing a customized acid vapor and is suited to polymers like polyamide, TPU, and PET. The machine finishes components as much as 700 × 500 × 500mm in underneath 65 minutes, with the method repeatable for elevated smoothing.
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featured picture exhibits inside view of the DEMI 4100 system. Photograph through PostProcess Applied sciences.
