Stratasys FDM 2000 Manual page 106

Reference
FDM Postprocessing
Part 1: Summary of Existing Techniques
The following is a description of a set of postprocessing techniques collected
from various Stratasys users. This is intended to help identify the state-of-
the-art in postprocessing among users. The listed techniques are being
experimented with at Biomet in order to establish their strengths and limita-
tions. This work is still in progress, and therefore the techniques listed
below should not be interpreted as the ultimate form of postprocessing for a
given material. We hope to develop a postprocessing manual in the future as
the second part of this report.
Investment Casting Wax
Chemicals such as D-Limonene and lighter fluid seem to soften ICW06 so
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that a mildly abrasive material (e.g. dishwashing sponge) can rub off small
defects like the wax layer lines.
Softer waxes such as red utility wax can be used to fill negative defects
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(divots). Water soluble waxes should be avoided since they will dissolve
during the investment casting process.
A mixture of molten ICW06 and Vaseline can be used as a paste to fill in
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negative defects.
Waxes with lower melting points than ICW06 (e.g. dip-seal wax) can be
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used for dipping models. It may be hard to control geometrical dimen-
sions this way. Mold release agents, adhesive tapes, and modeling clay
can be used to mask a certain portion of the model from the dipping
process.
Hot knife can be used to smooth positive defects (bumps). It can also be
•
used at a lower temperature setting to remove excess wax when negative
defects are overfilled using a wax with a lower melting point than ICW06.
This prevents any damage to the model caused by the hot knife.
Heat gun can be used to soften the surface of the model and create a
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glossy appearance.
Tools such as scrapers, blades, jewelers, files, clay modeling spatulas and
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spreaders, dental tools, etc. are useful in working with ICW06. Power
tools in general cause ICW06 to melt, and therefore are relatively ineffec-
tive unless they are used for spreading and smearing rather than carving
and removing ICW06.
10MAY01
N-3
Notes