In 3D printing, sacrificial support material prevents certain geometric features from falling or caving in during the build process. This material is extruded alongside the base material, and it prevents structural overhangs from collapsing due to gravity.
Stratasys FDM machines are unique in that they use a soluble support material that can be easily dissolved in a water bath. Upon removing a part from the machine, operators simply place the part in the solution bath and wait for the support to fully dissolve. Traditional powder detergents are widely used in support removal, and while they are effective, they can create harmful dust during the mixing process. They can also leave residue stains on both the part and surrounding equipment.
With our new solution Techni Print, you can manage support in a faster, cleaner, and more economical way. Techni Print is a ready to use liquid concentrate, which can be simply poured into a water bath.
It is significantly faster than traditional powder solutions, which can save engineers valuable production time. In this side-by-side comparison, we tested the time to dissolve the support material in two identical cube lattices.
In only 40 minutes, all of the support material was dissolved under Techni Print, while the traditional powder solution still had a long way to go. It took about 90 minutes, (more than double that of Techni Print) for the support material to be fully dissolved.
In addition to speed, Techni Print changes color from either blue to white or blue to brown when it is ready to be changed. No analytical equipment is required and engineers don’t have to guess whether or not the solution needs changing. It doesn’t generate any dust or residue, and operators can safely handle the solution without a mask.
Techni Print is a versatile solution that can be used in a range of devices including circulation, ultrasonic, and spray equipment.
It can reduce the overall processing time and cost of your FDM builds, while minimizing waste and reducing worker exposure. For more information on our full line of Stratasys 3D Printers, please click the button below.
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