IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,828,679
Granted Patent B1
US 9,828,679 · App. 15/190,229 · Granted Nov 28, 2017

Apparatus and process for removing support structure from a 3D printed part

Inventor: Stephen M Brooks (Jupiter, FL)
Assignee: Florida Turbine Technologies, Inc.
C23F1/16B05C11/1002B23K26/32B29C67/0096B33Y10/00B33Y30/00B33Y40/00B33Y80/00H05B6/10H05B6/40
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,828,679
App. No.
15/190,229
Granted
Nov 28, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

An apparatus and a process for removing a support structure from a 3D printed part, where the 3D printed part along with the support structure is placed in an acid solution and the part is surrounded by an induction heater. The acid solution is recirculated through the acid tank to prevent the acid solution from heating up too much. Small surfaces of the part are heated up by the induction heater before larger pieces are heated so that the acid will remove the smaller pieces first. After enough time, all of the support structure is removed by the acid and the heater to leave the finished 3D printed part with the support structure removed.

Claims (5)

1. A process for removing a support structure from a 3D part formed using an additive manufacturing process comprising the steps of:

forming the 3D part using an additive manufacturing process in which a support structure is also formed;

placing the 3D part with the support structure in an acid solution;

heating the 3D part with the support structure within the acid solution using an induction coil submerged within the acid solution such that the support structure is removed by the acid solution; and,

recirculating the acid solution while the 3d part is being heated to limit a temperature rise of the acid solution.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT R/F 59664/0917 Recorded Mar 4, 2026
From: TRUIST BANK
To: FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GICHNER SYSTEMS GROUP, INC.; KRATOS ANTENNA SOLUTIONS CORPORATION; KRATOS INTEGRAL HOLDINGS, LLC; KRATOS TECHNOLOGY & TRAINING SOLUTIONS, INC.; KRATOS UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS, INC.; MICRO SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 075029/0769 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 6, 2022
From: TRUIST BANK (AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO SUNTRUST BANK), COLLATERAL AGENT
To: KTT CORE, INC.; FTT AMERICA, LLC; CONSOLIDATED TURBINE SPECIALISTS, LLC; FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 059619/0336 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 6, 2022
From: FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; GICHNER SYSTEMS GROUP, INC.; KRATOS ANTENNA SOLUTIONS CORPORATON; KRATOS INTEGRAL HOLDINGS, LLC; KRATOS TECHNOLOGY & TRAINING SOLUTIONS, INC.; KRATOS UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS, INC.; MICRO SYSTEMS, INC.
To: TRUIST BANK, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 059664/0917 →
SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 TO AMENDED AND RESTATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 6, 2019
From: KTT CORE, INC.; FTT AMERICA, LLC; TURBINE EXPORT, INC.; ELWOOD INVESTMENTS LLC; CONSOLIDATED TURBINE SPECIALISTS LLC; S&J DESIGN LLC; FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
To: SUNTRUST BANK
Reel/Frame 048521/0081 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2019
From: BROOKS, STEPHEN M
To: FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 048220/0926 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2019
From: BROOKS, STEPHEN M
To: FLORIDA TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 048149/0448 →