1. SLA Best Practices
  2. Accura AMX Rigid Black
  3. Post Processing
  4. Cleaning Steps

Cleaning Steps

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Warning: always use proper PPE recommended in the solvent SDS when cleaning parts.

 

The following steps detail how to clean parts printed with the Accura® AMX™ Rigid Black material.

  1. Fill a container with TPM or Propylene Carbonate to a level deep enough to fully submerge the part 

  2. Manually agitate the parts in the solvent for 20 minutes

  • This process can be done with parts attached to the platform or removed.

  • Using an automated agitation system to automatically clean parts will cut labor time and interaction with the solvents.

  • TIP: Pausing agitation midway to brush the down-facing surfaces will help reduce tackiness.

  1. Remove supports and place parts inside an empty container. Use a squirt bottle with IPA to thoroughly rinse the parts of solvent from step two. Rinse all surfaces and inner crevices.

  • This quick step will slow down solvent saturation and mixing in step 4.

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Note: You can use IPA for the initial rinse in Step 1 and 2 to simplify your waste stream and eliminate this step.  This method will consume more IPA and you will need to be more cautious to overexposing thin-walled features that could lead to swelling/ distortion.

 

  1. Fill a container with fresh Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) to a level high enough to submerge the entire part

  2. Place the part in IPA and leave submerged for 10 minutes

  3. Remove part from the IPA bath and dry with compressed air 

  4. Inspect the part closely for any remaining solvent and/or resin residue left behind. 

Repeat Step 5 and 6 if needed

  1. Use a drying rack to prevent parts from sitting in cleaning solvent or on paper towels or other absorbent cloth that can contain solvent.  The surface of Part A below shows swelling due to saturation of the part sitting on a cloth with solvent.  Notice the swelling caused by the part sitting in IPA.

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Figure # 14. Parts on left image A were sitting on paper towels in excess IPA. Proper drying is on a rack

 

  1. Place parts in oven set to 35°C for 30 minutes.

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Note: the preferred method for drying the parts is using the oven cycle allows for consistent, repeatable, mechanical properties

  • Alternatively, the parts can be left to dry at ambient temperature in a well-ventilated area for a minimum of 60 minutes. 

  • Only performing a surface drying with shop air before the UV post-cure can lead to tacky surfaces or reduced mechanical properties