High Flow Differential Cleaning

NASA developed this High Flow Differential Cleaning technology in response to in-house needs for a more automated and effective method to remove stubborn particles from complex parts fabricated using powder-bed-fusion equipment. The invention uses a large volume of pressurized air to quickly enter a cleaning chamber. Based on the Bernoulli principle and Continuity equation, the high flow results in significant air velocity and a decrease in pressure when airflow passes through smaller component orifices, which in turn removes remnant powder from the part. In one embodiment, the invention consists of a (1) high-pressure air compressor with ISO 8573 Class 2 drying capability, (2) a large pressure chamber with a fast-actuated valve system to, (3) a cleaning chamber containing various sensors, injection systems, (4) a test fixture designed for easy orientation adjustments, and (5) an expansion chamber allowing air to expand and drop in velocity, particles to settle, and filtered air to re-enter the room. This NASA technology can be implemented as a standalone cleaning system for powder bed fusion additively manufactured parts, or could be integrated into a packaged post-processing system offering. CT scans of complex NASA parts cleaned using a proof-of-concept system based upon the invention revealed very promising results. NASA welcomes industry to test the cleaning speed and efficacy of the technology under an evaluation license.