Published on NextDent 5100 (http://infocenter.3dsystems.com/nextdent5100)

Home > User Guide > Post Processing

Post Processing

Introduction

Once your 3D build has completed, the part on the platform is considered green until it has been through post-processing. A green part must be handled with 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 (or absorbent cloth) to catch resin that may drip from the part, as well as two stainless-steel or glass containers in which to submerge the part in >90% alcohol solvent.

always wear 100% nitrile gloves during post-processing procedures.

CAUTION: Always follow the precautions noted in the SDS (Safety Data Sheets) for any resin or solvent being used. It is important to limit the exposure of the resin tray to light, as too much exposure will begin to solidify the resin inside it and render it unsuitable for part building. Place resin-tray cover over resin tray when not in use, close the printer door, or empty the material from the resin tray back into a material bottle of the same resin, sealing the bottle.

Remove Print Platform

  1. Allow the printed part to drain over the resin tray until resin stops dripping off the part. Once this is done, open the printer lid. You will see the screen below on the printer:

lid-open-after-job-complete.jpg

drip-over-print-tray-v2.jpg
  1. Wearing nitrile gloves, tilt the print platform over the resin tray such that any remaining resin is drained into the resin tray.
tilt-print-plat.jpg
  1. Place a paper towel or gloved hand under the part and lift the print platform out of the machine. The paper towel will keep resin from dripping on unwanted surfaces.

CAUTION: Do not remove the printed part from the print platform while both are still in the machine. Doing so risks getting partially cured print material in the resin tray, which will cause future builds to fail and/or cause the resin-tray membrane to puncture.

remove-print-plat.jpg
  1. If you have another print job in your 3D Sprint queue, or if you want to reprint the same job, you may now insert a clean print platform, as the screen in Step 1 suggests. Closing the printer lid at this time will show the screen at the right, whether you insert a new platform or not. You may now:
    1. Reprint the previous job
    2. Print the next job in your 3D Sprint queue. If there is no pending job in your 3D Sprint queue, you will not see the Next Job button.
reprint-or-next-job-screen.jpg

Remove Printed Parts From Platform

You must now remove the printed part(s) from the print platform to prepare them for cleaning.

WEAR 100% nitrile gloves whenever handling uncured or partially cured print material.

CAUTION: Ensure that any tools you use in post-processing have been cleaned since their last use.

 

  1. Put a nonabrasive cloth/lint-free paper towel underneath the print platform. Using the included punch tool, remove printed part from the print platform by pushing on it through the top side of the platform. Hold it the way you would a rubber stamp.

hole-puncher-hero.gif

  1. Once the parts are off the platform, rinse them in >90% alcohol solvent by hand, holding them over a container that can catch the solvent.
rinse-parts-off-platform.gif

Special Considerations for Elastomeric Resins

If you are running elastomeric resins, such as Ortho IBT or Gingiva Mask, it may be difficult to remove parts from the print platform using only the punch tool.

  1. Use the punch tool as described in Step 1 above. This will get the part started in detaching from the platform.
 
  1. Use the Platform Scraper to fully remove the part from the platform.
remove-elast-part.gif
  1. For instructions on removing the remaining, partially cured resin, see the section Clean Print Platform.
 

Cleaning Printed Parts

The following equipment is needed to clean parts produced on the NextDent 5100 Printer:

  1. Stainless steel or glass containers that are big enough to contain the printed parts you wish to make
  2. >90% alcohol solvent
  3. Ultrasonic cleaner, which agitates solvents like >90% alcohol solvent using ultrasonic sound waves. Sonication is the required cleaning method for your printed parts to achieve medical certification. Your ultrasonic cleaner should have:
    1. Digital Timer
    2. Volume great enough to hold your steel or glass containers
    3. Explosion-proof features

WARNING: >90% alcohol solvent is FLAMMABLE AS BOTH LIQUID AND VAPOR. KEEP AWAY FROM HEAT, SPARK AND OPEN FLAMES. USE WITH ADEQUATE VENTILATION. STORE AT 20-30ºC (68-86°F).

always wear gloves when cleaning build parts.

Cleaning Parts Using an Ultrasonic Cleaner

NOTE: Follow all safety precautions and guidelines set forth in the User Guide for the ultrasonic cleaner you have purchased.

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

Important Notice for Ortho IBT Resin

If you are running Ortho IBT resin, you MUST use Ethanol as your cleaning solvent. Do not use IPA.

Cleaning Procedure

While the User Guide for your ultrasonic cleaner will provide specific-use instructions, the steps outlined below describe how 3D Systems recommends cleaning build parts via an ultrasonic cleaner. 

  1. Label your steel or glass containers as "1st Bath" and "2nd Bath."
 
  1. Wearing nitrile gloves, place the printed part inside 1st Bath container. Pour >90% alcohol solvent into the container until you completely submerge the printed part. Used >90% alcohol solvent may be used for this first bath, unless it is completely saturated.

    NOTE: The same solvent may be used in the first bath to clean several printed parts. It will, however, become saturated over time and will no longer be effective at stripping uncured resin from printed parts. You must visually gauge this effectiveness each time you clean a part. If after washing, the printed part still has large amounts of uncured resin on it, you will need to discard the old solvent according to all local, state, and federal regulations. Then use new solvent for your next cleaning job.

 
  1.  Place 1st Bath container inside the ultrasonic cleaner.

CAUTION: Ensure that your ultrasonic cleaner is properly rated to use flammable solvents. Failure to do so could present a fire hazard.

put-parts-in-ultrasonic.jpg
  1. Follow the instructions in your ultrasonic cleaner's User Guide to power it on and begin cleaning. For this first bath, run the ultrasonic cleaner for 3 minutes.
 
  1. 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.
 
  1. For 2nd Bath container, follow Steps 2-5 once more. But the >90% alcohol solvent must be completely clean for the second bath (no other parts or printer components should have been cleaned with it). This time, run the ultrasonic cleaner for two minutes. After finishing Step 5 with 2nd Bath container, the part is ready for drying and post-curing in the LC-3DPrint Box.
 

 

CAUTION: Cleaning printed parts for any longer time than prescribed in this manual risks creating defects in the part.

Cleaning Crowntec Parts

Wear nitrile gloves and protective goggles whenever handling uncured parts.

  1. Remove the parts from the print platform using a putty knife.
  2. Remove excess material by wiping the parts with a lint-free cloth (or small brush) soaked in 96% alcohol solution. Clean the parts until all uncured material is removed.
  3. Dry parts thoroughly with an air syringe.

Dry the Build Parts

For information on the different methods for drying printed parts, please see the section Air-Drying Parts. Dry printed parts until you see no more liquid on their surfaces. For any drying method, please use the following guidelines:

  1. Always dry printed parts over a tub, lab paper towel, or absorbent cloth. Do NOT dry the part over a sink or tub that drains to normal wastewater.
  2. Discard any disposable towels used in the drying process according to all local, state and federal regulations. These towels have been in contact with uncured resin and solvents, and must be treated as such.
  3. On a regular basis, have a professional cleaning service wash any absorbent cloths used in the drying process.
  4. If you dry the part over a tub, periodically empty/clean it, discarding its contents according to all local, state, and federal regulations. The tub has been in contact with uncured resin and solvents and must be treated as such.
  5. If using an air compressor in the same room (as opposed to shop air), wear ear protection when it is in use.
  6. Always wear 100% nitrile gloves and safety glasses when handling partially cured printed parts. When drying with a high-pressure method, uncured resin or solvent may splash.
  7. If you come into contact with uncured resin during part drying or at any time, wash the affected area with soap and COLD water. Any clothes contaminated with uncured resin or solvent must be dry cleaned promptly.
  8. There might be remnants of supporting architecture left on your part(s). You can remove these supports by hand in the majority of cases. If you experience any issues removing supports, please see Troubleshooting item PCI4.
    dental-supports-061520181727.jpg →dental-supports-v2-061520181730.jpg

UV Cure the Parts

  1. After the part is completely dry, insert the part into the middle of the LC-3DPrint Box. If there are multiple parts, ensure there is some space between them on the oven platform. It is necessary to use the LC-3DPrint Box as your UV oven, as it has been tested specifically for the NextDent resins that are used to build certified medical devices. Ideal, tested curing times are outlined in the Resin Stirring and Curing Chart in the "Operation" section of this manual.

    CAUTION: Use nitrile gloves whenever touching or operating the LC-3DPrint Box. Normal usage of the box will most likely get uncured resin on the box handle and buttons; so it is always best to take this precaution. Also, the printed parts are still "green" at this stage, not yet fully polymerized and not safe to touch without gloves.

lc-3d-print-box.jpg

 

  1. Follow instructions in your UV oven instruction manual to begin the post-curing process. If you have the LC-3DPrint Box, the instruction manual can be found both in the packaging or by downloading the link here: NextDent LC 3D-Printbox Instructions for Use.
  2. Please see the Resin Stirring and Curing Chart in the "Operation" section of this manual for resin curing times. Do not open the curing chamber door until the curing process has been completed. The LC-3DPrint Box has a sensor that will turn the machine off during curing if the lid is open. Please see the User Guide of the resin you are using for full post-curing instructions. These guides are linked to in the section NextDent Material Documentation.

    CAUTION: Be careful not to over-cure the part. Over-curing can cause discoloration and part warping.

  3. Once the printed part has been fully cured, remove the part from the UV oven, using nitrile gloves when opening and closing the oven.
  4. The printed part is now safe to touch without nitrile gloves.

Clean Print Platform

CAUTION: Do not clean the print platform or resin tray in a sink or tub that drains into wastewater. These components must be cleaned in a self-contained tub and the solvent/resin mix must be discarded according to all local, state, and federal regulations.

WEAR 100% nitrile gloves throughout this procedure.

Clean Print Platform

You must clean the print platform after each use.

  1. Use the punch tool to punch out the bits of supporting architecture that are inside the holes. Punch in a column, going up an down until you have run the punch tool through every hole. See the punching pattern below for reference.

punch-tool-pattern.gif

scrape-supports-(2).jpg
  1. Use the Platform Scraper to scrape cured resin off the underside of the print platform. If you are running Ortho IBT or Gingiva Mask, please see the section below, Special Consideration for Elastomeric Resins.
clean-print-plat-dental-tool.jpg
  1. You should have the platform-cleaning fixture in a tub with >90% alcohol solvent. Place the print platform on the fixture, being sure it is submerged in the solvent, and use the punch tool up and down on the platform once more, as you did in Step 1.

print-platform-stand.jpg

Platform-cleaning fixture

clean-print-plat-ipa.jpg
  1. Wipe down the platform with a lint-free paper towel or nonabrasive cloth.
wipe-with-paper-towel.gif
  1. Inspect the platform, particularly the holes on the flat surface, to ensure no partially cured resin remains. If you find resin or partially cured bits on the platform at this point, follow the steps in this section again on the problem areas.

Your print platform is now clean and ready to be reused.

inspect-platform.gif

Special Considerations for Elastomeric Resins

For cleaning print platforms that run elastomeric resins such as Ortho IBT or Gingiva Mask, your printer package includes a Wire Brush accessory. The following instructions demonstrate how to use this brush.

  1. Use the Platform Scraper to remove as much partially cured resin as you can.
remove-elast-partially-cured.gif
  1. Identify all areas of the platform with partially cured resin and use the Wire Brush to scrape off as much as possible.
use-wire-brush-no-solvent.gif
  1. Turn the print platform over and use the Wire Brush to scrape all areas that have partially cured resin.
use-wire-brush-no-solvent-top.gif
  1. Place the print platform in solvent and use the Part-Cleaning Brush to clear away areas of liquid resin.
use-part-cleaning-brush.gif
  1. Use the Punch Tool if desired to punch bigger chunks of material through the platform. Use the Wire Brush to scrape the remaining partially cured resin from the platform
use-wire-brush-in-solvent.gif
  1. Wipe down the platform with a lint-free paper towel or nonabrasive cloth.
wipe-with-paper-towel.gif
  1. Inspect the platform, particularly the holes on the flat surface, to ensure no partially cured resin remains. If you find resin or partially cured bits on the platform at this point, follow the steps in this section again on the problem areas.
inspect-platform.gif

Clean Resin Tray

You must clean the resin tray if:

  • You believe the resin tray has debris in it.
  • You are using a new bottle of the same print material AND that bottle has a different batch number than the previous bottle.

    CAUTION: Do NOT mix identical print materials from bottles with different batch numbers, as any issues with the material must be traceable to a specific batch number. Mixing batches makes this impossible to track.

  • You are using a different print material in the same resin tray, according to the section Resin Tray Material Cross-Usage.

Every time you remove the resin tray for any reason, you should also inspect/clean the catch tray, as in the section Clean/Replace the Catch Tray.

NOTE: The elevator must be at its upper limit and the print platform must not be in the printer during this procedure.

NOTE: Two iterations of this process tends to be enough for a fully cleaned resin tray. If you find that you need to repeat this process more than once, consider spending more time brushing the membrane/tray when soaked in >90% alcohol solvent.

NOTE: Avoid touching the bottom of the membrane during this procedure. If resin is observed on this surface, spot clean with >90% alcohol solvent by squirting/pouring solvent on the area with uncured resin. Finish by drying with compressed air. Do not touch Part-Cleaning Brush or any other tool to the bottom of the membrane.

Procedure

  1. Push in the tension-arm release lever and lift tension arm.
  2. Using nitrile gloves and using both hands, slowly lift the resin tray out of the printer.

CAUTION: Take care not to hit the resin tray on the elevator arms, printer lid, or other printer components during removal.

clean-resin-tray-1.jpg
  1. Pour the contents of the tray over the tray corner into your hazardous waste container. The Resin Mixer may be used to guide print material and debris out of the tray.

CAUTION: Do NOT pour the resin back into the bottle. Doing so risks contamination, and/or improper mixture, of material in the bottle. This could result in undesirable build quality and/or build failure.

CAUTION: Do NOT use the Platform Scraper to clean the resin tray, as it will easily puncture the resin-tray membrane.

clean-resin-tray-2.jpg

clean-resin-tray-3.jpg

  1. Place resin tray in its garage.

TIP: You may place a paper towel or clean-room wipe on your cleaning surface, so as not to get print material and/or solvent directly on it. This can also prevent foreign debris from dirtying or puncturing the tray's membrane. If you use this tip, be sure to discard the paper towel/wipe according to all government regulations after each cleaning.

clean-resin-tray-5.jpg
  1. Pour approximately 250 mL of >90% alcohol solvent into resin tray and use the Part-Cleaning Brush to gently agitate the resin on the membrane and tray edges.
  2. After brushing all surfaces that were in contact with resin, discard dirty solvent according to all government regulations.
  3. Rinse the resin tray with clean >90% alcohol solvent and discard solvent according to all government regulations.

spray-ipa-on-tray.gif

wipe-ipa-inside-tray.gif

  1. Dry membrane gently with 30 psi dry compressed air using an air gun attachment, or allow tray to air dry.

spray-ip-on-tray-2.gif

  1. If uncured print material remains within the tray, repeat steps 5-8.
  2. If uncured print material remains on the outer edges of the resin tray:
    1. Wipe clean with a lint-free paper towel soaked with >90% alcohol solvent (~15mL). Dispose of used paper towels and gloves discard according to all government regulations.
    2. Dry membrane gently with 30 psi dry compressed air using an air gun attachment, or allow tray to air dry.
clean-resin-tray-9.jpg

spray-ip-on-tray-2.gif

  1. Inspect the resin tray to ensure no uncured resin and/or foreign debris remain.

spray-ip-on-tray-2.gif

  1. Discard all paper towels/wipes used throughout this procedure according to all government regulations.

The resin tray can now be stored in the Resin-Tray Garage or filled with new print material for printing, according to the section Resin-Tray Material Cross-Usage.

clean-resin-tray-10.jpg→resin-tray-garage-05012018.jpg

You can also store the resin tray in the printer with the cover from the garage on top, as seen below.

resin-tray-lid-in-machine.jpg

Clean Finishing Tools

It is necessary to clean any tools you used during post-processing before their next use, even if you are continuing to use the same resin. Items to be cleaned include:

  1. Punch Tool
  2. Resin Mixer
  3. Platform Scraper
  4. Part-Cleaning Brush
  5. Your own dental tools

To clean any of these items, you can either soak them in >90% alcohol solvent or place them into a beaker of >90% alcohol solvent and put them in an ultrasonic cleaner. Ensure that they are completely dry before their next use, either by using compressed air or letting them air dry.

#social-bar { width:100%; background-color: #424242; } .social-circle { background-color: #dcdcdc; border-radius: 50%; height: 30px; width: 30px; margin-left: 10px; } .privacy-line { width:auto; margin:0 auto; border-collapse:separate; border-spacing:10px; color:#a7a7a7; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 500; display: flex; padding: 1% 30%; } #privacy-line a { font-weight:500 !important; } #footer-2020 { background: #585858; color: white; text-align: center; font-size: 14px; column-count: 3; padding: 1% 33%; } #footer-2020 table { width:auto; margin:0 auto; border-collapse:separate; border-spacing:20px; } #footer-2020 a { font-weight: bold; font-size: 18px; letter-spacing: 1px; } .footer { position: inherit; right: 0; left: 0; height: 40px; width: 100%; font-size: 13px; } .footer a { color: #cfcfcf !important; text-decoration: none; } .footer-sub-title {font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px;} .footer a:hover { color: #efeeee !important; text-decoration: none; } ul.footer-context li { list-style: none !important; font-size: 15px; padding-left: 0px; } .footer-context { font-size: .875rem; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: 0.8px; } .footer-info-2 { background-color: #424242; padding: 1% 20%; display: flex; border: 0; } .footer-content {margin-left: 4%;} .footer-sns { margin: 0 auto; display: flex; padding: 0.5% 40%; } .footer-sns-img { height: 75%; padding-top: 25%; } .privacy-line-terms {padding-left: 2%;} /* ----------- iPhone X ----------- */ /* Portrait */ @media only screen and (min-width: 375px) and (max-height: 812px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (orientation: portrait) { .footer {display: block;} #footer-2020 {column-count: 1;} .privacy-line {display: block; padding: 1% 5%;} .footer-info-2 {padding: 5%; display: block; column-count: 1;} .footer-sns {padding: 0.5% 5%;} } /* Landscape */ @media only screen and (min-height: 375px) and (max-width: 812px) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 3) and (orientation: landscape) { .footer {display: block;} .wrap-landing-page-column {margin-left: 2%;} #footer-2020 {padding: 2% 12%;} .footer-info-2 {padding: 1% 2%;} .footer-sns {padding: 0.5% 29%;} .footer-sns {padding: 0.5% 29%;} .privacy-line {font-size: 13px; padding: 1% 10%;} } /* ----------- iPad ----------- */ /* Portrait */ @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) and (max-height: 1024px) and (orientation: portrait) and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 1) { #footer-2020 a {font-size: 16px;} #footer-2020 {padding: 2% 10%;} .footer-info-2{padding: 1% 4%;} .footer-sns {padding: 1% 27%;} .privacy-line {font-size: 14px; padding: 1% 2%;} .footer-content {margin-left: 2%;} } @media screen and (min-width: 1024px) { #footer-2020{padding: 1% 20%;} .footer-info-2 {padding: 2% 8%;} .footer-sns {padding: 0.5% 33%;} .privacy-line {padding: 2.5% 8%;}} @media screen and (min-width: 1366px) { #footer-2020 { padding: 1.2% 24%;} .footer-info-2 {padding: 1% 15%;}.footer-sns {padding: 1% 36%;} .privacy-line {padding: 2% 17%;}} @media screen and (min-width: 1800px) { #footer-2020 {padding: 0.8% 30%;}.footer-info-2 {padding: 1% 25%;} .footer-sns { padding: 0.5% 41%; } .privacy-line {padding: 1% 27%;} .banner-graphic {background-position: -250px -50px;}}
HOW TO BUY
CONTACT US
CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SOLUTIONS

  • By Application
  • By Industry
  • By Workflow
  • By Products & Services
  •  

RESOURCES

  • Webinars
  • Customer Stories
  • Blog
  • Video Gallery
  •  

SERVICE SUPPORT

  • 3D Printers
  • Software
  • Materials
  • On Demand Manufacturing
  •  

HOW TO BUY

  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Scanners
  • Software & Haptic devices
  • Healthcare Solutions
  •  

ABOUT US

  • Our Story
  • Press Room
  • Investor Relations
  • Careers
  • Events
Connect with us:
Privacy Policy
Sales Terms
Terms and Conditions
Copyright ⓒ   3D Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
var d = new Date(); document.getElementById("year").innerHTML = d.getFullYear();

Copyright © 3D Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. | Source URL: http://infocenter.3dsystems.com/nextdent5100/user-guide/post-processing