PostProcess Technologies and The Toro Company are collaborating to implement an automated post-printing system into Toro’s additive manufacturing process. Toro chose the PostProcess BASE support removal solution to simplify the post-printing procedure for their 3D printed FDM parts.
FDM or Fused Deposition Modelling is an additive manufacturing process where melted material is deposited in a pre-determined path, layer by layer to build an object. The materials used are thermoplastic polymers and come in a filament form.
In the FDM process, support structures are necessary whenever geometries with overhangs greater than 45 degrees are encountered. Support material is needed under the overhang to prevent sagging. These supports need to be removed once the printing process is complete.
Toro time studies yielded significant decreases in operator labor and total cycle time for post-print support removal. For Toro’s most time-consuming parts, support removal has been reduced from days to hours with the BASE implementation. PostProcess’ full-stack solution uses its patent-pending AUTOMAT3D software for control of the support removal process.
“Toro performance standards require a degree of precision that can only be achieved through an automated solution,” said Rob McArdell, The Toro Company. “PostProcess delivers precision that is paving the way for the digital manufacturing revolution, and Toro is excited to be a part of it.”
“Toro recognized that the automation of post-printing is essential to achieve the desired consistency and throughput,” said Jeff Mize, CEO, PostProcess Technologies. “We’re thrilled to be teaming with Toro to deliver a step-change in performance and results that exceeded expectations.”