Instructions for Use IFU for solvent soluble sacrificial 3D printed resins

Follow our Instructions for Use "IFU" for printing our 3D resins. For cleaning and postprocessing our solvent soluble sacrificial resins follow the following protocol.

Basics about solvent soluble sacrificial 3D printed resins

• For washing and cleaning solvent soluble sacrificial 3D printed resins,  alcohols, such as isopropanol IPA, can be used with caution since alcohols reduce mechanical strength of prints as reported in this 3Dresyns technical document: Comparison of different methods for cleaning and post processing 3D printed resins
• Alternatively you may clean your solvent soluble 3D prints with Cleaning Fluid Bio, since it does not reduce the mechanical strength of solvent soluble sacrificial resins
• Solvent soluble sacrificial resins instead of fully dissolving may sometimes swell. This depends on few kinetic variables beyond 3Dresyns control* 

Cleaning and postprocessing protocol

• The following washing and cleaning method is automated, cost effective, fast and easy. It is recommended for cleaning solvent soluble prints

Equipment:

• a low cost wash & cure machine of 100 Euro can be used, such as this wash & Cure Machine or a similar one

Light box post-curing of prints in immersion/dipping:

• remove prints from the build platform with a spatula and cut the supports
• dip prints inside a washing basket in a washing container filled IPA or  better with Cleaning Fluid Bio to avoid embrittlement caused by IPA
• remove any uncured resin from the surface of the prints inside Cleaning Fluid Bio with a magnet stirrer (wash mode) until prints are clean
• optional: if prints are too sticky postcure the prints in a light box until their surface is dry, or alternatively dip prints in a container filled up with fresh Cleaning Fluid Bio and postcure them in a light box. Recommended light box post curing times:
• 5-10 minutes** is normally enough for getting a dry surface
• 10-20 minutes will increase the surface cure and the rigidity of prints
• 20-60 minutes will increase the surface cure and rigidity of prints but brittleness will increase due to excessive light post-curing
• Dip prints in Solvent Solution SS1 Bio or in Solvent Solution SS1F for dissolving solvent soluble 3D printed materials

*Note: full dissolution cannot be warranted since printer and light box power, wavelength, exposure time, etc may affect the solubility of sacrificial resins.  

**Note: ideally use fresh unused Cleaning Fluid to avoid contamination of prints with uncured resin from previous washings. 

How to reuse dirty Cleaning Fluid? Expose the Cleaning Fluid in the washing container to sunlight, or with or without stirring to light in the light box or curing machine. After several minutes the uncured resin will cure as small particles. Then, use a paint filter to separate and remove the cured resin from the recycled cleaning fluid, which can be used again and again for washing prints.