A depowdering station that also serves a recycling role is essential when using a powder/binder printer. ComeTrue3D has released the TD3 for this purpose.
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| ComeTrue3D TD3 Depowder/Recycle Station |
DESKTOP FORM FACTOR
The TD3 is a desktop unit. The hinges are located on the side of the unit and the door is sealed with two latches. In contrast, the door for the ZCorp ZD5, which is the depowdering station for the Z310, is hinged at the top without using latches. But, that is not the only difference in the door designs. The ZCorp depowdering stations use brushes through which the user puts their hands to minimize dust escaping. The TD3 appears to use gloves. Frankly, the TD3's system appears to be the winner when it comes to not only fully containing the powder within the depowdering station; but, keeping the users hands and clothing clean as well.
There are only two controls and
they are on the front cover at the top right. They are the Heater
Off/On button and the Depowder Off/On button.
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| ComeTrue3D TD3 Buttons |
HEATER BUTTON
One of the features of this depowdering station, that is unique in our experience, is the inclusion of a heat lamp to help dry the part. This, as it turns out, is an even more crucial function when printing in ceramics than when printing in gypsum due to the differences in the nature of the binders used for the different materials. This feature, alone, sets it apart from either of our ZCorp depowdering stations.
From the documentation it appears that the fully heated chamber is designed to surround the parts with an environment of 35C or about 95F to aid the drying process.
While we do not have a TD3, we have found a way to test the efficacy of heating at these temperatures by adding a heating system normally used in small egg incubators. The IncuKit Mini from Incubator Warehouse.com is designed to heat small chambers at 99.5F; but, can be adjusted as needed. It's $49.99. Bigger units are also available and we may find we need to think somewhat bigger.
We'll test it in the ZCorp 310's print chamber, since the heater on our 310 does not appear to work and also in the ZD5 depowdering station to see how much difference adding heat makes to the quality of the final product. I suspect that it will make a HUGE difference.
DEPOWDER BUTTON
The TD3 includes a small airbrush style compressor that outputs 23~25L per minute though the nozzle of the airbrush with a special cleaning tip. Not having one, it's unknown whether the compressor runs continuously like that of the Z450 or cycles on and off as does the ZD5. Both ways work. In any case, it is important to learn the role distance plays on both safety for the part and effectiveness in cleaning detail. This is true of all depowdering airbrushes,
As the powder is removed it drops to the floor of the cleaning chamber and holes in the floor not only allow it to fall to a collection box below; but, filter out any bigger solid pieces that should not be recycled.
NO BUILT-IN VACUUM
All of our ZCorp depowdering stations include a heavy-duty vacuum. The TD3 does not.
Normally, one would think not having one would be a definite disadvantage. I don't think that is entirely true.
I do suspect that not having vacuum that cleans the air in real-time might mean it's a bit harder to see what is going on as parts are being cleaned as the chamber fills with loose powder. But, conversely, with the ZD5, we've found that we do NOT want the powder going directly into a vacuum cleaner's bag.
Our strategy is to use something known as a Dust Deputy Cyclone air cleaner that allows us to divert the captured dust from the depowdering station directly into a collection bucket. This strategy would work quite well with the collection system of the TD3. After a cleaning cycle, we would simply transfer the dust in the collection bin of the TD3 using an external vacuum with a Dust Deputy collection system. This would put the dust into a container which we have custom designed to allow us to minimize the likelihood of dust being scattered into the working environment when being recycled and transferred back into the printer.
BENEFIT OF 3RD PARTY VARIABLE VACUUM
None of the built-in vacuums of which I am aware offer the benefit of having a variably controlled suction level. There are at least two sources of HEPA vacuums that have variable suction capability.
One is the Foredom MADC20 Cyclone System.
One of the intriguing things about the MADC20 is that collection container appears to be easily mated to a custom 3D printed top that would minimize scattering powder when transferring back to the printer.
The other is the Festool CT series.
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| Festool CT 26 Variable flow Vacuum System |
With the Festool CT vacuum series, there is the option of adding their cyclone collection system or using a Dust Deputy specially designed for mating with the Festool CT vacuum.
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| Dust Deputy Mated to a Festtol CT Vacuum |
Because "green" parts are so fragile, having a vacuum with a flow that is adjustable should be invaluable. Considering the cost of any of the ceramic printers, the cost of a vacuum with this advanced capability is almost negligible considering the value to preventing losses.
WATER TRAP
A door in the back of the chamber of the TD3 permits access to the water trap draining valve. As air is compressed, particularly in a humid zone like ours, water is condensed out of the air. Trapping that water is critical. The designers of the TD3 have made it very easy to access and drain any trapped water.
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| TD3 Water Trap & Draining |
While it is always dangerous to reach conclusions without firsthand experience with a product, everything I have have read or been told leads me to believe I would actually prefer it to the ZCorp ZD5.
I like the fact that it's a tabletop unit. I love the fact that it has a heated chamber and I also REALLY appreciate the access system that should protect my hands, arms and clothing better.
One thing is not clear is how badly does not having a vacuum actively removing powder during depowdering going to affect the ability to see what is being done. It appears to be of molded fiberglass construction. So, I do not think it would be difficult to adapt an external vacuum to the TD3 if it would be helpful. It might be helpful to point out that even though the ZCorp ZD5 has an internal vacuum, all of the hoses are connected EXTERNALLY. So, the outcome of adapting the ZD3 would be exactly the same.
It seems to be a very nice, well considered product.
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