Patent ID: 6916441
Filing Date: 2005-07-12
Classification: B29C,B33Y

Abstract:
1. A method of post processing an article formed by solid freeform fabrication to remove a support structure, the article comprising a three-dimensional object and the support structure, the three-dimensional object and the support structure comprising at least one phase change component, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a temperature controllable environment for the article; (b) placing the article in the temperature controllable environment at a temperature that causes the support structure to transition to a flowable state; (c) removing substantially all of the support structure in the flowable state from the article; (d) changing the temperature of the controllable environment to a temperature just above the freezing point of the phase change component; (e) holding the temperature of the controllable environment just above the freezing point of the phase change component until the temperature of all the regions of the three-dimensional object substantially equalize; and (f) lowering the temperature of the three-dimensional object below the freezing point of the phase change component.