Systems and methods for support material removal
A method of manufacturing an additively manufactured component may comprise operating an additive manufacturing machine to form a first structure including an elongate portion having a blind design surface, operating the additive manufacturing machine to form a removal tool proximate the blind design surface, wherein the blind design surface and the removal tool are at least partially enclosed by and in contact with a support material, and translating the removal tool along the blind design surface to separate a portion of the support material from the blind design surface.
1. A method of manufacturing an additively manufactured component, comprising:
operating an additive manufacturing machine to form a first structure including an elongate portion having a blind design surface;
operating the additive manufacturing machine to form a removal tool proximate the blind design surface, wherein the blind design surface and the removal tool are at least partially enclosed by and in contact with a support material; and
translating the removal tool along the blind design surface to separate a portion of the support material from the blind design surface.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the support material comprises a partially cured resin.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the removal tool comprises a contact surface proximate the blind design surface and defined thereby.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the removal tool comprises a paring surface which intersects the contact surface at a leading edge to define a paring angle.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the paring angle is between 5° and 30°.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the removal tool includes tabs configured to enable manual manipulation of the removal tool.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first structure includes a port configured to enable the removal tool to interface with a driving tool.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the removal tool is at least partially enclosed by the first structure.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising removing the removal tool from the first structure.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the removal tool includes a weakened portion configured to facilitate separation of the removal tool from the blind design surface.