IPA Reclaim Set
IPA Reclaim Set
3D
Published 2021-01-06T14:53:39+00:00
Let's recycle and save money…
Most of us resin printing people will ask their self what to do with the IPA that is getting more and more mixed with resin after every cleaning process. Also, this stuff these days is expensive, while the whole world desires alcohol for sanitize reasons.
Solutions...
Due to the fact that the resin will not dilute with the IPA, there is a chance to separate it more or less and harvest a part of the IPA in a kind of clean state.
One efficient way is to put it into transparent containers and let it expose to sunlight or a UV curing unit for a while.
As a result a white matter will last on the container's walls. Unfortunately this goo isn't hard and has to be filtered out in the next step.
Disclaimer:
ALWAYS follow the safety rules while working with IPA which is highly flammable and a health risk if you don't protect your self. The tool is no guarantee to comply with the save handling of IPA!
The tool…
Now this filter system will enter the scene and help you with the final steps.
The Funnel itself isn't really a new invention, but this guy carries a filter holder and wears a cap to prevent the alcohol from vaporizing while it drops for hours through the filter.
How to filter...
The disc with the holes is meant to hold a paper towel or another cloth that will do the coarse filtering. The funnel's shape and size is designed to carry a common paint filter for the fine filtering.
It's not a good idea to pour the goo directly in the paint filter. It will clog quickly and ends unusable in the trash after the process. (we also want to save filters)
For a better fitting of the paint filter, you had to cut the filters ears apart.
The harvest...
The resulting liquid will not end as 100% IPA and may contain color pigments or resin shares, but it's good enough to do the first cleaning steps after the final print. I always collect the IPA for the raw cleaning in a separate bottle for reuse.
Parts...
The adaptor is to fit different bottlenecks. Other parts should explain their self with the pictures.
The bottle stand is made for max 85 mm diameter and equipped with leaches to screw it on a platform to prevent the bottle from tilt.
Anyway, feel free to make custom versions of the parts with the attached freeCad file. There is no rocket science inside ;)
I recommend printing with a chemical resistant material like ASA Filament.
EDIT : After longer time of usage I detected that the ASA printed parts had been etched by the IPA/Resin mix. Also thin surfaces tended to bend after longer IPA contact. As a result I coated the prints with SLA resin and cured the coating in the UV unit. Feel free to comment if you know other solutions or filaments.
All files should print w/o support and had to be turned around 180° in some cases.
| Date published | 06/01/2021 |
| Support Free | YES |