Tools to Remove Support Structures and Rinse 3D Object in Resin (SLA/DLP/LCD) 3D Printing Ⅱ

The post-processing of Stereolithography 3D printing is an art indeed. If the post-processing work is not in place, it will still be difficult for the print to achieve the ideal quality. Even sometimes, the print and the printer will be damaged if the post-processing is not done right. In the last article, we took stock of Tools to Remove Support Structures and Rinse 3D Object in Resin (SLA/DLP/LCD) 3D Printing Ⅰ. But tools and skills are much more than those. In the following content, we'll continue to look at what other tools we can use to optimize our post-processing efforts.

Metal scraper can help remove prints or the failures (only raft and supports) from the build plate. In the last article, we introduced this kind of metal scraper shown as above.

In fact, there are many other kinds of metal scrapers.

This kind of metal scraper shown as above is similar to the one introduced in the last article. They are relatively large, but this one will be much easier to shovel into the gap between the print and build plate due to its blade.

And this small metal scraper is actually used for applying the paint on a drawing board. As a small tool, it’s easy to cut into the gaps between the print and build platform. In addition, the certain angle betweem the handle and the scraper makes it easy to raise the model.

The two medium scrapers above are similar. The only difference is whether the knife edge has a blade or not.

Due to its softer material, silicone scraper can be used for stirring liquid resin in the tank if their color pastes are uneven and dealing with bubbles in liquid resin.

Stainless steel plates of various sizes, shapes and depths can be used to do different kinds of things. Large square steel plates can be used for storing tools. Also when leaning the build platform against it, it will be easy to seperate the print from the build platform. Deep stainless steel plates can be used to clean the print, while shallow steel plates can be labeled and temporarily used to dry or store the models.

The blade is used for the same purpose as the scraper to remove prints or the failures from the build plate. Compared with the scraper, the blade is smaller, easier to operate and not easy to break the model.

Sometimes liquid resin in the tank suspended a lot of semi-cured and uncured impurities as a result of printing failures. If continuing to use such resin, the printing quality will be affected. The paper funnel can be used to screen out these impurities.

Resins need to be sealed and stored. So adding the right amount of resin into the tank can avoid wasting and deterioration. CHITUBOX can intelligently calculate the required milliliters and grams of resin, then we can use a measuring cup to take a slightly excessive amount of resin compared to the calculated value and pour it into the tank.

In the last article, we recommended the magnetic stirrer, which uses a rotating magnetic field to cause magnetic capsules immersed in the isopropyl alcohol to stir the isopropyl alcohol while rinsing the part. Ultrasonic cleaner is also playing the same role to use ultrasonic vibration cleaning print surface. You can also put the print in the attached filter basket and lift it directly after cleaning.

Because the capacity of ultrasonic cleaner is relatively larger, it takes a lot isopropyl alcohol one-time. As a kind of volatile liquid, the longer the time, the lower the concentration of the isopropyl alcohol. Also large amounts of isopropyl alcohol will cause a waste of cleaning. As shown above, you can pour water in the ultrasonic cleaner, place the model in a glass container filled with isopropyl alcohol, and put the glass container in ultrasonic cleaner.

We have introduced the small spray bottle. If you need more jet power to rinse the print, you can use the large one. Many of the used toilet detergent and deodorant bottles can be recycled as spray bottles after being cleaned.

The usage of the watering can is different from that of the spray bottle. Its function is to pump air into the bottle through the pull rod. After the air pump is completed, press down the pressure handle to quickly volatilize the residual isopropyl alcohol on the surface of the cleaned print.

Wiping papers are commonly used in the package of tempered glass screen protector. The dry and wet swabs are respectively used to clean the screen of mobile phone before adhering film as there will be no fiber or paper scraps leaving. The dust-free cloth we introduced in the last article does the same thing, but this disposable wiping papers are relatively simple.

The residual isopropyl liquid on the surface which can not be taken away by the watering can can be dried by hot air dryer. But pay attention to the tuyere should not be too close to the print.