Vortex EZ Support material removal station Xioneer

The Vortex EZ Support Removal Station was designed and manufactured by Xioneer, a German-Austrian company specialized in soluble support materials for FDM 3D printing as well as various devices and accessories for support removal. The Vortex EZ Support Removal Station is a compact and simple but powerful device that allows the user to dissolve not only the Xioneer VXL support filaments with the help of the VXL EX powder but also common hydrosoluble materials sich as PVA, BVOH or PVOH.

Video 1: Dissolving supports with the Vortex EZ Support Removal Station. Source: Xioneer.

By means of continuous fluid agitation by a strong magnetic propeller (PTFE and V2A steel) and heat generated by a powerful but silent 1360 W heater, the Vortex EZ Support Removal Station efficiently removes support structures 3D printed with water-soluble as well as alkaline-soluble filaments. The heater is electronically and mechanically limited to a fluid temperature of 85 °C that it can reached in just 2 hours (when filled to the maximum of about 38 liters). When the temperature is reached, power consumption drops significantly to an average of 250 W. The temperature of dissolution can be regulated with the help of a dial button and should be adjusted to the used support material and main material.

Image 1: The propeller and temperature dial of the Vortex EZ Support Removal Station. Source: Xioneer.

All the components and the chassis of the Vortex EZ Support Removal Station are made of high quality materials to ensure sturdiness, efficiency and longevity of the device. The tank is made of high-grade, double-wall stainless steel (V2A) in a matte finish with additional thermal insulation to ensure maximum efficiency. The basket, made of stainless steel (V4A), is convenient to use as it has handles and perfectly fits on top of the station. Both alloys of steel (V2A and V4A) used in the Vortex EZ Support Removal Station are austenitic stainless steel which, due to its nickel and chromium content, is resistant to rusting.

Image 2: All components of the support removal station are made of stainless steel. Source: Xioneer.

The basket provided with the Vortex EZ Support Removal Station has the dimensions of 450 x 260 x 205 mm, which is larger than the build volume of most conventional desktop 3D printers. Thanks to the size of the basket, parts of considerable size or even multiple parts at once can be placed in the basket for support removal, thus saving time and resources. It is highly recommended to always use the basket and not introduce the parts directly into the tank. Using the basket speeds up dissolving time but also prevents the part safe from hitting the propellers, thus damaging the part or the propeller.

Image 3: The lid and drain valve of the Vortex EZ Support Removal Station. Source: Xioneer.

The PC and V2A stainless steel lid of the Vortex EZ Support Removal Station is equipped with a system that protects the user's fingers from escaping steam. Furthermore, the lid turns the tank into a convenient storage unit for unused dissolving fluid. Once the dissolving job is done, the liquid inside the tank can be let to cool down and stored for a few days until needed, with the lid closed. If too much of the liquid evaporates, it can be refreshed with water and stirred from time to time to keep it viable. Once the liquid is no longer usable, it can be easily drained with the help of the drain valve on the side of the device.

Image 4: Removing supports with the help of the Vortex EZ Support Removal Station. Source: Xioneer.

The Xioneer Vortex EZ is a compact, convenient and durable desktop support material removal station that can be used both for personal and professional purposes in a variety of work environments. Thanks to its size, it fits easily into an office, a workshop, a lab, a classroom and even on production floor. The high quality stainless steel elements ensure durability and the powerful propeller and heater provides the necessary turbulence and heat to dissolve support structures quickly and reliably.