Once your 3D build has completed, the part on the print platform is considered green until it has been through post-processing. A green part must be handled with 100% nitrile gloves at all times. This section describes how to post-process the part, rendering it safe to handle without nitrile gloves. You will need lint-free paper towels to catch material that may drip from the part, recommended solvent, and two cleaning tubs (included).
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always wear 100% nitrile gloves during the post-processing handling of the build parts. |
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CAUTION: Always follow the precautions noted on the SDS sheets for any material or solvent being used. |
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The following equipment is needed to clean parts produced on the printer:
NOTE: Some materials require the use of an ultrasonic cleaner for part cleaning to achieve certification as a medical device for its printed parts. Please read your material's Instructions for Use to determine if you must use ultrasonic methods. |
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always wear 100% NITRILE gloves when cleaning printed parts. |
Please use the chart below for the recommended cleaning method of your printed parts. The solvent choice is specific to the material used to build the part.
Recommended solvents for material spills - For any of the solvents listed below as being used in the 1st part bath, you may also use that solvent to clean material spills.
Material Type | Ultrasonic Cleaning | Manual Cleaning | Max Number of Builds That Can Be Cleaned Before Solvent is Saturated |
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NextDent® Model NextDent® Surgical Guide NextDent® Model 2.0 NextDent® Ortho Rigid |
1st bath - 3 min dirty Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) or Ethanol 2nd bath - 2 min in clean IPA or Ethanol |
manual cleaning not recommended | 10-12 |
FabPro™ Proto GRY |
1st bath - 2 min dirty IPA 2nd bath - 2 min in clean IPA Fresh IPA rinse |
1st bath - 2 min dirty Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) 2nd bath - 1 min in clean IPA |
10-12 |
FabPro™ JewelCast GRN | 1st bath - 1 min dirty in IPA 2nd bath - clean IPA dip 30 seconds Fresh IPA dip 30 seconds |
1st bath - 2 min dirty Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) 2nd bath - 1 min in clean IPA |
5 |
FabPro™ Tough BLK | 1st bath - 4 min dirty IPA 2nd bath - 3 min in clean IPA Fresh IPA rinse |
1st bath - 3 min dirty Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) 2nd bath - 2 min in clean IPA |
6-8 |
FabPro™ Elastic BLK | 1st bath - 4 min dirty IPA 2nd bath - 4 min in clean IPA Fresh IPA rinse |
1st bath - 4 min dirty IPA 2nd bath - 4 min in clean IPA Fresh IPA rinse |
6-8 |
FabPro™ Flexible BLK | 1st bath - 2.5 min dirty IPA 2nd bath - 2.5 min in clean IPA Fresh IPA rinse |
1st bath - <2.5 min dirty IPA 2nd bath - <2.5 min in clean IPA Fresh IPA rinse |
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NOTE: The recommendation for max number of builds in the chart above is assuming builds of a medium width and height volume. If you have very dense builds with tall parts, the solvent baths may become saturated with a fewer number of builds. Always pay attention to build-surface tackiness and shininess, as this is an indication that uncured liquid material is still on the build. |
NOTE: For the first bath, it is okay to use solvent that has already been used to clean other parts. You may do this until the solvent becomes saturated. Then you must discard the dirty solvent according to all local, state, and federal regulations. |
NOTE: For FabPro branded materials: for the first bath, 3D Systems' EZ Rinse C solvent is also suitably effective. |
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TIP: The clean IPA that becomes saturated according to the number of builds in the chart above should then be used for the first ("dirty") IPA bath until the max number of builds has been reached again. |
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WARNING: EThanol and ipa are FLAMMABLE as both LIQUID AND VAPOR. IPA flash point is 11.7°C (53.1°F). Ethanol flash point is 16.6°C (61.9 °F). KEEP AWAY FROM HEAT, SPARK AND OPEN FLAMES. USE WITH ADEQUATE VENTILATION. STORE AT 20-30ºC (68-86°F). |
NOTE: Some materials require that you use an ultrasonic cleaner, rather than manual cleaning methods, to clean printed parts. Please read your material's Instructions for Use to determine if manual cleaning is sufficient. |
The following instructions are recommendations for hand-cleaning parts made with FabPro™ materials. For instructions for NextDent® materials, please see your material's Instructions for Use.
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NOTE: Be sure that you replace the lids on Containers 1 and 2 when they are not in use. |
NOTE: IPA must be disposed of according to all state, local, and federal regulations. |
NOTE: Read all documentation that came with your ultrasonic cleaner for operating and safety instructions. |
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Always wear 100% nitrile gloves whenever handling anY uncured printed part, as well as when handling any solvent used to clean such parts. |
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CAUTION: Ensure that your ultrasonic cleaner is properly rated to use flammable solvents. Failure to do so could present a fire hazard. |
The following instructions are recommendations for using an ultrasonic cleaner to clean parts made with FabPro™ materials. For instructions for NextDent® materials, please see your material's Instructions for Use.
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NOTE: Be sure that you place lids on Containers 1 and 2 when they are not in use. |
NOTE: Solvents must be disposed of according to all state, local, and federal regulations. |
For information on the different methods for drying build parts, please see the section Air-Drying Parts. For any drying method, please use the following guidelines:
NOTE: For NextDent® materials, it is necessary to use the LC-3DPrint Box as your UV oven in order to meet medical certifications. Ideal, tested curing times for materials are outlined in the section Material Stirring and Curing Times. |
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CAUTION: Be careful not to over-cure the part. Over-curing can cause discoloration and part warping. |
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CAUTION: Do not clean the print platform or print tray in a sink or tub that drains into wastewater. These components must be cleaned in a self-contained tub and the solvent/material mix must be discarded according to all local, state, and federal regulations. |
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WEAR GLOVES: always Wear 100% nitrile gloves whenever handling a printer component that has been in contact with liquid material, even if you have cleaned the component. If the component must be handled without gloves, you must first place it in a UV-Curing oven for the time specified for the material it has been in contact with. |
You must clean the print platform after each use.
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If you use any print materials with pigmentation in them, you may observe that they slowly stain the print platform after repeated use. This is okay and has not been shown in testing to adversely affect the build quality of future parts, even when using different materials. If you wish to remove as much of the pigmentation as possible, the best way to do this is to soak the platform in IPA overnight. This might not remove all pigmentation.
You must remove the print tray periodically to clean it and inspect it for damage.
NOTE: The elevator must be at its upper limit and the print platform must not be in the printer during this procedure. This will ensure that: 1. The elevator arm are out of the way; and, 2. No material drips from the print platform onto the glass print base. |
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If you are not building again for a long period of time, it is best to empty the print tray and clean it to prolong the life of the tray.
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CAUTION: Be sure that you are pouring the material back into a bottle of the same material. Mixing materials causes both materials to become ineffective. |
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CAUTION: Do not put pressure on the print-tray film when cleaning. Doing so could damage the film and render it unusable. |