A treatment device using a supercritical fluid comprises: a chamber (14) for receiving the parts to be treated, provided with an opening and closing door (15), means (6, 8) for supplying a supercritical fluid to the chamber (14), comprising first fluid storage means (6) and means (10,12) for bringing the fluid to the supercritical state, second storage means (30), for storing a second fluid, such as an additive, for example a solvent, means (34, 36, 38) for injecting into the chamber the second fluid stored in the second storage means (30), at atmospheric pressure or at a pressure substantially close to atmospheric pressure, or together with the supercritical fluid, after the door is closed and the parts to be cleaned are loaded into the chamber.

In certain embodiments the metal liftoff tool comprises an immersion tank for receiving a wafer cassette with wafers therein, the immersion tank including an inner weir, a lifting and lowering mechanism capable of raising and lowering the wafer cassette while submerged in fluid in the immersion tank, low pressure high velocity primary spray jets for stripping the metal, the primary spray jets positioned at opposing sides of the immersion tank parallel to the wafer surfaces planes, and secondary spray jets for pressure equalization force, positioned at the bottom of the immersion tank. A wafer lift insert is positioned at the bottom of the immersion tank to receive and periodically lift the wafers within the cassette.

An automated support cleaning system comprising a tank disposed within a housing and configured to circulate an aqueous cleaning solution to remove a support structure from a three-dimensional model.

Techniques for depowdering in additive fabrication are provided. According to some aspects, techniques are provided that separate powder from additively fabricated parts through liquid immersion of the parts. Motion of the liquid, such as liquid currents, may dislodge or otherwise move powder away from additively fabricated parts to which it is adhered or otherwise proximate to. The liquid may also provide a vehicle to carry away powder from the additively fabricated parts. Removed powder may be filtered or otherwise separated from the liquid to allow recirculation of the liquid to the parts and/or to enable re-use of the powder in subsequent additive fabrication processes. Techniques for depowdering through liquid immersion may be automated, thereby mitigating challenges associated with manual depowdering operations.

In certain embodiments the metal liftoff tool comprises an immersion tank for receiving a wafer cassette with wafers therein, the immersion tank including an inner weir, a lifting and lowering mechanism capable of raising and lowering the wafer cassette while submerged in fluid in the immersion tank, low pressure high velocity primary spray jets for stripping the metal, the primary spray jets positioned at opposing sides of the immersion tank parallel to the wafer surfaces planes, and secondary spray jets for pressure equalization force, positioned at the bottom of the immersion tank. A wafer lift insert is positioned at the bottom of the immersion tank to receive and periodically lift the wafers within the cassette.

A container has been devised for use with a rapid prototype part making machine, specifically of the type having Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) capabilities. The container includes a liner that has an exterior surface and that is expandable to define a mouth portion and a volume for receiving, via the mouth portion, a rapid prototype part having soluble support material deposited on the rapid prototype part. An inlet port is formed on the exterior surface and is in fluid communication with the volume. An outlet port is formed on the exterior surface and is in fluid communication with the volume. A sealing arrangement is configured and arranged to selectively substantially prevent egress of an aqueous cleaning solution from the mouth portion of the liner. The inlet port is configured to introduce the aqueous cleaning solution into the volume to remove the soluble support material from the rapid prototype part.

A cavitation peening system is disclosed, including a tank containing a fluid, a carrier, and an array of cavitation nozzles. The carrier is configured to deliver a workpiece to a treatment zone in the tank, and the array of cavitation nozzles are collectively configured to generate a cavitation induced whirlpool in the treatment zone.

A laundry appliance includes a drum that rotationally operates within a tub. A fluid delivery system selectively delivers wash fluid to the drum. A rotator rotationally operates within the drum. The rotator selectively operates independent of the drum and about a common rotational axis of the drum and the rotator. A sanitizing mechanism includes an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer selectively delivers waves of an ultrasonic frequency into an amount of the wash fluid disposed within the drum and the rotator. The ultrasonic frequency generates air bubbles and causes cavitation of the air bubbles that directs a micro jet of air through the wash fluid and into articles being processed within the drum.