Powder removal systems
View Patent ↗A method includes placing an additively manufactured article having one or more internal channels in a non-reactive liquid to remove remainder powder from within the one or more internal channels, wherein the non-reactive liquid is a gas at room temperature and/or pressure. Placing the additively manufactured article in the non-reactive liquid includes can include placing the additively manufactured article in liquid nitrogen.
1. A method, comprising:
placing an additively manufactured article having one or more internal channels in a non-reactive liquid to remove remainder powder from within the one or more internal channels, wherein the non-reactive liquid is a gas at room temperature and/or pressure.
2. The method of claim 1 , placing the additively manufactured article in the non-reactive liquid includes placing the additively manufactured article in liquid nitrogen.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising additively manufacturing the additively manufactured article.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein additively manufacturing the additively manufactured article includes powder bed fusion and/or electron beam melting.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising thermally contracting a blockage formed by the remainder powder relative to the one or more internal channels of the additively manufactured article to remove the blockage.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing bubbles to contact the remainder powder within the one or more internal channels to liberate remainder powder.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein allowing the bubbles to contact the remainder powder includes allowing the non-reactive liquid to boil to liberate the remainder powder.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein allowing the bubbles to contact the remainder powder includes agitating the non-reactive liquid to create bubbles.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein agitating the non-reactive liquid includes using a tuyere to apply vibration to the non-reactive liquid.
10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a vibratory force to the non-reactive liquid while the additively manufactured article is within the non-reactive liquid to vibrate the remainder powder within the one or more internal channels of the additively manufactured article.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein applying a vibratory force to the non-reactive liquid includes applying a vibratory force to a container holding the non-reactive liquid.