Re: Sanders wax removal

From: Yakov Horenstein (Electon), Elaine Hunt (Clemson University), Gary Scholl (Metal Casting Technology , Inc.)
Date: Wednesday, November 1, 1995

From: Yakov Horenstein (Electon), Elaine Hunt (Clemson  University), Gary Scholl (Metal Casting Technology , Inc.)
To: RP-ML
Date: Wednesday, November 1, 1995
Subject: Re: Sanders wax removal
>Can anyone with experience of the Sanders Model Maker RP system tell us how
>easy or difficult it is to remove the wax support material from parts with
>internal cavities, hollow tubes etc.?
>
>For that matter, everyone I
>know who has an RP machine is bummed out by post processing.

1995 11 01:
     Post process for any of the RP systems is a drag....It's where I get my
practice for brain surgery techniques.
     The Sanders support removal is easiest accomplished in a small
ultrasonic unit with enough  of the liquid cleaner to cover the part.
Heating the liquid speeds (rapid) the process.  If the models are very
fragile you must be careful they don't suddenly drop to the bottom of the
vat and break.  It's a simple process and can be done multi-tasked to other
things.  I like it since I don't have to pick, prod, force , chip, sand, or
use the RP finishers favorite tool...the hammer.
Elaine

Date: Thu, 2 Nov 95 08:44:11 -0500
     MCT utilizes the Sanders MM and the shell process of investment casting to 
produce R-Pt's for our parent organizations.  Geometries with significant 
internal cavities are avoided because of the IC shell process. We do 
routinely produce models containing blind pockets with 4:1 depth:diameter 
ratios and through holes that have been somewhat longer. 
     Since the parts are small, (max envelope dimension is 150 mm) removing the 
support material is simple.  The, as built, models are placed in a 
"friendly" warm (60 C) solvent for one or two hours.  Some brush work (10 
min) is usually done to provide final cleaning.  The only part for which I 
recall having problems was one about the size of my hand but only 1 mm 
thick.  Because of the complex surface and the presence of a large 
protuberance, it kept cracking. -- That was over a year ago and perhaps I 
would have less trouble today.  
     I think the post processing is the most exciting time in the whole process.  
This is the first time I can touch what has previously been only another 
unimplemented idea.  (It's more fun than knocking out a hot casting. <g>)
g
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Gary W. Scholl
Metal Casting Technology, Inc.
Milford, New Hampshire 03055
v: 1 (603) 673-9720 x 437
f: 1 (603) 673-7456
e: gscholl@jlc.net


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