SECTION TITLE
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
FINISHING FLUIDS FORAM
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nitially, additive manufacturing (AM) was thought to be too slow or too expensive to use on a large manufacturing scale. Many engineers only considered it for parts prototyping, jig making or low production runs. But recent advancements in software and hardware technologies mean lower costs and faster production speeds, making AM an attractive alternative, even for complex or high-volume production runs. AM makes design possibilities nearly limitless. Engineers can rapidly iterate designs, make changes to custom-made prototypes and test them without setting up extra equipment or expensive tools. It is a quick and practical way to make detailed, precise and often customised designs.
SMOOTHING IT OUT Plastic is the material of choice for AM with over 80% of AM parts produced using thermoplastic or thermoset polymers. AM polymer parts are made using any variety of printing methods including FFF, SLS, SLA, DLP or material jetting processes. Common to all these methods
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Elizabeth Norwood explains how a correctly selected debinding solution helps advance design and production
is that the parts are made in layers. Tey are constructed in progressive layers by depositing or extruding polymers, one level at a time, until the parts reach their final shape. However, building the parts is just the beginning of the AM process. Using the right smoothing and cleaning fluid is key. Since AM parts are built progressively, layer-by-layer, the process sometimes leaves them with a stepped or terraced surface that requires smoothing to get a finished part.
Traditional methods of smoothing out the terraces include grinding, buffing or sandblasting. However, these methods are often manual, time-consuming and typically leave particles behind. Some engineers opt to use a speciality smoothing fluid inside a modern vapour degreaser to finish their plastic parts. Immersing the unfinished parts in a fast-evaporating smoothing fluid vapour inside the degreaser slightly melts the surface of the plastic parts, levelling out any irregularities and removing the terraces. It leaves a smooth finish without any leftover particles or damage to the finished parts. Te quality of the finished product is comparable in quality to parts using more traditional injection moulding processes.
AM uses fine metal powders and a binding agent to create complex metal parts
ENSURE MATERIALS COMPATIBILITY To prevent parts damage, it is necessary to understand the composition of the polymer parts. For instance, acrylic, ABS, polycarbonate and highly basic fluids with a pH 10 or above need careful consideration
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