Table of Contents
Advertisement
Removing Support
Material with
Caustic Soda
DOC-13025 Rev. A
Figure 7-1: Balco WaterJet Cleaning Unit
To clean a model using this device, you place it in the chamber, and you
manipulate it and the jet using the built‐in, waterproof sleeves. A pump
turns ordinary tap water into a high‐pressure jet, and a wiper keeps the
window clear.
Use caution when cleaning delicate models with high-pressure water systems.
Soak models in a 1‐percent solution of caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) to
remove support material from difficult‐to‐reach areas and to give the
model a smooth, clean finish. The amount of time you soak the model in the
solution depends on how delicate it is and how much support material
needs to be removed, but it is typically between half‐an‐hour and several
hours. In any case, you should remove as much support material as
possible before the caustic soda treatment, and rinse the model thoroughly
(with a water jet) afterwards.
WARNING: Caustic soda may cause chemical burns, scarring and
blindness. Mixing it with water generates heat that could ignite other
materials. Never pour water into a caustic soda solution. When diluting
the solution, always add caustic soda to water. Take adequate safety
precautions; always use nitrile gloves when handling caustic soda and
models soaked in it.
Connex500/350 User Guide
7–3
Advertisement
Table of Contents
