Clean Printed Parts - Introduction

The following equipment is needed to clean parts produced on the printer:

Plastic containers with lids, which are included with the printer. If it is your preference to use other containers, be sure they are large enough to accommodate the parts you will print.
Digital timer
Solvent, as prescribed in the Cleaning Chart
Optionally, you could have an an ultrasonic cleaner, which agitates the cleaning solvent using ultrasonic sound waves. If this is the best solution for you, your ultrasonic cleaner should have:
1. Digital Timer
2. Volume big enough to accommodate the parts you will print, along with:
3. Stainless-steal or glass rinse tanks big enough to accommodate the parts you will print. Plastic containers (like the ones included with the printer) will not have a good enough transfer of energy to be effective in an ultrasonic cleaner.

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.

always wear 100% NITRILE gloves when cleaning printed parts.

Cleaning Chart

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
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	5

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.

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.

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).

Clean Parts Manually

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.

Mark plastic containers as “Container 1” and “Container 2.”

Place printed part into Container 1.

Add Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) to Container 1 until it completely submerges the printed part(s). Fasten the lid onto the container.

NOTE: You may use "dirty" solvent for this first part bath. Solvent is considered "dirty" when it has reached the maximum number of prints specified for your material in the Cleaning Chart. You may use "dirty" solvent for an additional number of prints equal to the "maximum number" specified in cleaning chart. For example, you may use "dirty" IPA or EZ rinse C to clean 10-12 parts, for a total of 20-24 parts cleaned. Once you have reached this maximum again, you must discard the solvent/material mixture according to all local, state, and federal regulations.

Lightly shake the container back and forth, just enough to agitate the liquid. Follow the instructions in the Cleaning Chart for how much time is required for this first bath.

Remove part(s) from Container 1 and allow excess IPA to drip from the part(s) for 30 seconds. You may wish to use shop air or an air compressor to dry the part in between cleanings, as this is an effective method for getting one solvent off the part before dipping it into another. You may also need to use the included Part-Cleaning Brush, dipped in solvent, to clean part surfaces and fine features.

Place printed part(s) into Container 2.

Follow steps 3-5, but this time using clean IPA. Follow the instructions in the Cleaning Chart for how much time is required for this second bath.

NOTE: You must use "clean" IPA for the second part bath. Solvent is considered "clean" if it has been used to clean less than the maximum number of prints specified for your material in the Cleaning Chart. Rinsing with dirty solvent in this step risks not completely cleaning the part of uncured liquid material.

TIP: Once you have used the "clean" IPA to wash the maximum-allowed parts, you may then use it for the first, "dirty" part bath (see Step 3).

Inspect the part(s) closely to make sure no liquid material remains. Pay particular attention to shiny areas, as they may indicate the presence of liquid material. If you are unsure if liquid material remains, it is best to repeat Step 7. You may also need to use the included Part-Cleaning Brush, dipped in solvent, to clean part surfaces and fine features.

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.

Clean Parts With Ultrasonic Cleaner

NOTE: Read all documentation that came with your ultrasonic cleaner for operating and safety instructions.

Always wear 100% nitrile gloves whenever handling anY uncured printed part, as well as when handling any solvent used to clean such parts.

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.

Label your glass or steel containers as "1st Bath" and "2nd Bath."

Wearing nitrile gloves, place the printed part(s) inside 1st Bath container. Pour recommended solvent (see Cleaning Chart) into the container until you completely submerge the printed part. Dirty solvent may be used for this first bath.

NOTE: You may use "dirty" solvent for this first part bath. Solvent is considered "dirty" when it has reached the maximum number of prints specified for your material in the Cleaning Chart. You may use "dirty" solvent for an additional number of prints equal to the "maximum number" specified in cleaning chart. For example, for FabPro Proto GRY material, you may use "dirty" IPA or EZ rinse C to clean 10-12 parts, for a total of 20-24 parts cleaned. Once you have reached this maximum again, you must discard the solvent/material mixture according to all local, state, and federal regulations.

Place 1st Bath container inside the ultrasonic cleaner.

Follow the instructions in your ultrasonic cleaner's User Guide to power it on and begin cleaning. Follow the instructions in the Cleaning Chart for how much time is required for this first bath.

After the cleaning cycle has finished, remove the printed part from the ultrasonic cleaner using nitrile gloves. You may wish to use shop air or an air compressor to dry the part in between cleanings, as this is an effective method for getting one solvent off the part before cleaning it with another.

For 2nd Bath container, follow the instructions above from Steps 2-5, but this using "clean" solvent. Follow the instructions in the Cleaning Chart for how much time is required for this second bath.

TIP: Once you have used the "clean" IPA to wash the maximum-allowed parts, you may then use it for the first, "dirty" part bath (see Step 2).

Inspect the part(s) closely to make sure no liquid material remains. Pay particular attention to shiny areas, as they may indicate the presence of liquid material. If you are unsure if liquid material remains, it is best to repeat Step 6.

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.

Clean Printed Parts - Introduction

Cleaning Chart

Clean Parts Manually

Clean Parts With Ultrasonic Cleaner

SOLUTIONS

RESOURCES

SERVICE SUPPORT

HOW TO BUY

ABOUT US