In this tips & tricks article, we are going to share with you on how to post process the small or delicate 3D printed parts using VisiJet® M2 Cast material used only on ProJet® 2500W.

Using Magnetic Stirrer Hot Plate Method

1. Place a clean build plate in the freezer for a minimum of 15 minutes before we prior to step 2.

CAUTION: Wax parts are very delicate and may crack if left in the freezer for an extended period of time.

2. Place the build platform with the 3D printed wax on top of the cold blank build plate that was placed in the freezer 15 minutes ago. Keep the freezer door open.

3. Within a couple of minutes, you will hear crackling sounds, indicating that the parts are separately from the build plate. carefully touch each part to confirm that the build part has separated from the build plate.

Larger pieces will take a bit longer than smaller pieces.

Remove the build plate from freezer when all parts have been separated from the build plate.

4. Before proceeding to the next step, please put on safety goggles, an air respirator and a pair of Nitrile gloves.

5. Turn on your magnetic stirrer hot plate to 35° Celsius.

If your hot plate does not have an exact temperature setting, use a infrared thermometer and adjust the heat dial until 35° Celsius is achieved.

6. Fill up an approved glass container with 99% > Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) and leave at least 1″ of space from the top of the container.

Place it on the hot plate and cover with the lid to avoid evaporation.

7. Carefully place the desired part (s) into the bottom of the basket.

Do not double stack the parts.

Please ensure that the part (s) have reached room temperature from freezer before placing in basket. Frozen/cold part (s) that are processed will crack due to thermal shock.

8. Remove the lid from the container. Gently lower the basket in the container.

9. Turn on the stirrer to a low/medium setting so that there is a nice smooth circulation in the container.

If IPA is splashing out of the container, reduce your setting.

10. Replace the lid facing upside down on top of the basket to reduce evaporation.

11. Observe your part every 30 seconds (+/-) to see the progress of the support material dissolving.

12. This part was removed from the basket after 2 minutes. You can clearly see the support material dissolving away from the build material (M2 Cast).

Note: Depending on the geometry of the part (s), the saturation of wax in alcohol (cloudy appearance) and stirrer speed, results will vary moderately on the amount of time that the support wax is removed from the build part.

13. Once your part (s) looks visually free of support material, turn stirrer dial to “0” and remove basket. Place basket onto a dry paper towel.

14. Secure lid on container and turn off magnetic hot plate if no additional parts needed to be process.

15. Place the basket into a 2nd IPA bath (room temperature) to remove any residual support material on the part. Swirl the basket around manually for no more than 10 seconds.

16. Remove basket and place on dry paper towels.

17. Carefully remove part from basket and allow them to air dry. Parts are very delicate therefore you need to handle with care.

18. This is the end products after the parts had been processed.

The white residue left on the rings are the evaporated IPA and this will have no affect on casting.