The importance of increased productivity, quality and consistency are rapidly growing in necessity in many industries to stay a step ahead of the competition. Many are taking advantage of rapid prototyping to produce jigs, fixtures and tools with FDM materials that provide engineering-grade strength and a faster timeline to production. This advancement of improved design and build processes is very important to the improved productivity, but the final step in production is often overlooked as an opportunity to further optimize overall production times.

Sometimes, companies rely on subtractive equipment from their factory floor to additive with items like hand tools, tumblers and submersible tanks. In some cases this could work, but as volumes progress it generates more issues. Even with the added assistance of having these machines, there is a high component of labor with a technician attending. It is common for a technician to be present during the entire cycle time with a tumbler or submersive take due to constant monitoring of equipment.

Even with excellent technicians, the results can be inconsistent. Variations with the level of precision and constant rework are common. Traditional machines are not optimized for additive manufactured parts and breakages levels tend to also be problematic. Print materials and labor can be expensive and reprinting could be significantly hindering your ROI.

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One type of support removal technology is Volumetric Velocity Dispersion (VVD), which brings a reliable solution with automated support removal using two jet rack manifolds to provide gentle and accurate support removal on complex geometries. VVD utilizes three types of custom detergents that are exclusive to PostProcess Technologies and were designed by chemists to ensure no harm comes to polymer-based print materials. This system provides reliable and automated support removal to avoid costly reprints due to the post-processing step defects.

>> Learn more about Volumetric Velocity Dispersion

Consider how automating this final step to remove FDM support efficiently with the PostProcess BASE can prevent typical issues that decrease productivity, quality and overall cycle time. The PostProcess BASE:

• Reduces processing time by over 50% and drying time by over 60% compared to  typical submersible tank systems
• Minimizes part warping and breakage due to lower temperatures and less liquid exposure that are unavoidable in a submersive tank
• Improves overall cycle times with over twice as many prototypes able to be produced every week
• Reduces technician labor time up to 90% from traditional solutions due to the system’s AUTOMAT3D™  software-driven solution that automates support removal and surface finishing to deliver unmatched results through precision energy management

Don’t just stay competitive, take the upper hand and gain a competitive edge with time and cost saving processes that propel your prototype production and decrease time-to-market. 

Ready to learn more about the benefits of incorporating a better post-processing system? Check out our infographic, Removing Support Materials: Before/After Performance Evaluations.