Removing Models After Printing; Removing The Support Material - Stratasys Connex500 User Manual

Handling Printed Models

Removing Models After Printing

Removing the Support Material

Removing Excess
Support Material by
Hand
Removing Support
Material with Water
Pressure
7–2
After printing models, you should allow them to cool as much as possible
before handling them. If additional models do not have to be produced on
the printer, it is best to let the printed models cool in the printer, with the
cover closed, as long as possible.
If the printer must be used to produce additional models as soon as
possible:
1. Let the printed models cool on the build tray for at least 10 minutes.
2. Very carefully, remove the models from the tray with a scraper or
spatula (supplied in the tool kit), taking care not to pry or bend the
model.
WARNING: Wear protective gloves when handling printed models
before they are washed.
3. Place the models on a flat surface, and cover them with a cardboard
box or paper hood.
This allows the models to cool slowly and evenly.
4. Let the models cool for several hours.
After printed models have cooled, the support material must be removed.
This can be done by different methods, depending on the size of the model,
how delicate it is, the amount and location of the support material, and
other factors. Use the following methods as a guide, and adapt them (or a
combination of them) for finishing the models you are handling.
While wearing protective gloves, break away excess support material on
the outside of the model. For delicate models, use a toothpick, pin or small
brush after dipping the model in water.
For most models, the most efficient way to remove support material is by
using a high‐pressure water jet. One suitable system is the Balco WaterJet
cleaning unit. This device is marketed by Stratasys.
DOC-13025 Rev. A