Method for printing 3D object using sheet-like material
By forming the 3D printable material in the form of elongated strips into 3D printable filaments and depositing them layer by layer in the FDM printer, the problems of high cost of filaments and limited tolerance for shape variation in the prior art are solved, and an efficient and accurate 3D printing process is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380059814.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-09-09
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-28
AI Technical Summary
The high cost of filaments used in existing FDM printers and limited tolerance for shape variations, resulting in visual defects in printed objects and complex drying process.
By providing 3D printable materials in the form of elongated strips, they are shaped into 3D printable filaments using shaping methods such as twisting and rolling, and deposited layer by layer in a 3D printer to make 3D items.
Improves the cost and performance of 3D printable filaments, reduces drying time, enhances manufacturing accuracy, and reduces production costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN119731013A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a 3D object. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a 3D printable material for use in such a method, and a lighting device comprising such a 3D object obtainable by such a method. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a 3D printer for use in such a method. Background Art
[0002] Digital manufacturing will increasingly change the nature of global manufacturing over the next 10-20 years. One aspect of digital manufacturing is 3D printing. Currently, many different technologies have been developed to produce a variety of 3D printed objects using a variety of materials such as ceramics, metals and polymers.
[0003] The most widely used additive manufacturing technology is the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) process. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing technology that is often used for molding, prototyping and production applications. FDM works on the "additive" principle by laying down material in layers; a plastic filament or metal wire is unwound from a coil and the material is supplied to produce the part. For example, in the case of thermoplastics, the filament may be melted and extruded before being laid down. Typically, an FDM printer uses a thermoplastic filament that is heated to the melting point and then extruded layer by layer, or indeed one filament after another, to create a three-dimensional object. FDM printers are relatively fast, low-cost, and can be used to print complex 3D objects. Such printers are used to print a wide variety of shapes using a variety of polymers. The technology has also been further developed in the production of LED lamps and lighting solutions. The nozzle of an FDM printer is usually fed with a filament of constant diameter at a constant speed to obtain a constant rate of material flowing out of the nozzle.
[0004] However, it is quite costly to produce filaments with a constant diameter. Therefore, the price of filaments used in FDM printers is much higher than that of polymer raw materials. In addition, the shape variation tolerance of currently available filaments needs to be improved to minimize undesirable visual defects in printed objects. In addition, the diameter variation of the filaments makes the drying process more difficult.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need to provide a method for manufacturing 3D objects in which the cost and performance of 3D printable filaments are improved.
[0006] EP2483059 discloses a ribbon liquefier for an extrusion-based digital manufacturing system, the system having a drive mechanism and a heat transfer component. The ribbon liquefier includes an external liquefier portion configured to receive thermal energy from the heat transfer component, and a channel at least partially defined by the external liquefier portion. The channel has a size configured to receive a ribbon filament, wherein the ribbon liquefier is configured to use the received thermal energy to melt the ribbon filament received in the channel to at least an extrudable state to provide a melt flow. The ribbon element can be formed into a curved state. Summary of the invention
[0007] In view of the above, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a 3D object by fused deposition modeling. The method of the present invention comprises the following steps:
[0008] a) providing at least one 3D printable material in the form of an elongated strip, the at least one elongated strip having a first longitudinal extension, a first lateral extension substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal extension, and a first height substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal extension and the first lateral extension, the 3D printable material comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer;
[0009] b) forming the at least one elongated strip into a 3D printable filament by at least one of twisting and rolling about an axis parallel to the first longitudinal extension (L1), the 3D printable filament having a second longitudinal extension, a second lateral extension substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal extension, and a second height in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal extension and the second lateral extension;
[0010] c) feeding the 3D printable filament to a printer head of the 3D printer;
[0011] d) melting the 3D printable filament in a printer head of a 3D printer; and
[0012] e) depositing 3D printable material layer by layer to provide a 3D object comprising multiple layers of 3D printed material.
[0013] As an alternative to twisting and / or rolling, the elongated strip may also be formed into a 3D printable filament by bending and / or folding about an axis parallel to the first longitudinal extension (L1).
[0014] According to the present invention, a 3D printable sheet can be used to provide a 3D printable filament. The sheet can be produced at high speed with high thickness accuracy. The sheet can then be cut into strips. The first height of the sheet (i.e., the first thickness T1) can be from 1 pm to 1 mm. Such thin strips can be dried very quickly, thereby improving the time and cost efficiency of the method.
[0015] The term "plurality" refers to two or more. In particular, the 3D object may comprise at least three layers, preferably at least five layers, more preferably at least ten layers.
[0016] The term "3D printable material" refers to the material to be deposited or printed, and the term "3D printing material" refers to the material obtained after deposition. These materials can be substantially the same, because 3D printable material can refer in particular to the material in the printer head or extruder at high temperature, while 3D printing material refers to the same material, but at a later stage when deposited. 3D printing material can be printed as a filament and deposited. 3D printable material can be provided as a filament, or can be formed into a filament. Therefore, no matter what starting material is applied, the filament including the 3D printable material will be provided by the printer head and 3D printed. The term "extrudate" can be used to define the 3D printable material downstream of the printer head but not yet deposited. The latter is marked as "3D printing material". In fact, the extrudate includes the 3D printable material because the material has not yet been deposited. After the 3D printable material or extrudate is deposited, the material is therefore indicated as a 3D printing material. Generally, 3D printable material, extrudate and 3D printing material are the same material, the same as the material upstream of the printer head, downstream of the printer head, and are substantially the same material when deposited.
[0017] In the context of the present invention, the term "elongated" means that the first longitudinal extension of the strip (i.e., the first length L1) is substantially greater than the first transverse extension of the strip (i.e., the first width W1). In particular, the aspect ratio (AR) (defined as L / W) of each elongated strip may have a value of 2 to 10.
[0018] The first longitudinal extension of the at least one elongated strip may be in the range of 10 cm to 1000 m, preferably in the range of 20 cm to 30 cm. The first lateral extension of the at least one elongated strip may be in the range of 1 mm to 4 cm, preferably in the range of 5 mm to 2 cm.
[0019] As described above, the 3D printable material comprises at least one thermoplastic polymer. Typically, the thermoplastic polymer has a glass transition temperature Tg and / or a melting temperature Tm. The 3D printable material will be heated by the 3D printer to a temperature of at least the glass transition temperature, typically at least the melting temperature, before leaving the nozzle. Therefore, the printer head action may include heating the 3D printable material above the glass transition or above the melting temperature. It should be noted that melting occurs when the polymer chains break away from their crystal structure and become a disordered liquid, and the glass transition is a transition that occurs in amorphous polymers; that is, polymers whose chains are not arranged in an ordered crystal but are dispersed in any way, even if they are in the solid state. Polymers can be amorphous, essentially having a glass transition temperature instead of a melting temperature, or (semi-) crystalline, typically having a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature, the latter usually being higher than the former. The glass transition temperature and the melting point can be determined, for example, by differential scanning calorimetry.
[0020] As described above, 3D printable sheets with high thickness accuracy can be produced at high speed. In addition, since the thickness of 3D printable sheets is generally much lower than that of 3D printable filaments, the drying time is shortened, thereby improving the time and cost efficiency of the 3D printing process. The at least one elongated strip of 3D printable material used in step a) of the method according to the present invention can be obtained by cutting the 3D printable sheet into strips.
[0021] As described above, during step b), at least one elongated strip is formed into a 3D printable filament having a second longitudinal extension (i.e., a second length L2), a second lateral extension substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal extension L2 (i.e., a second width W2), and a second height in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal extension and the second lateral extension (i.e., a second thickness T2). The second height T2 is greater than the first height T1. In other words, during step b), at least one elongated strip of material is formed such that the thickness of the 3D printable filament is greater than the thickness of the strip.
[0022] The term "forming" in the context of the present invention is understood as at least one of twisting, rolling, bending and folding.
[0023] In particular, at least one elongated strip may be twisted into a spiral. In such an embodiment, the first length L1 and the first width W1 of the at least one elongated strip will be greater than the second length L2 and the second width W2 of the 3D printable filament.
[0024] Alternatively or additionally, at least one elongated strip may be rolled along a longitudinal axis to form a tubular 3D printable filament comprising a curled wall. In such an embodiment, the first length L1 and the first width W1 of the at least one elongated strip will be greater than the second length L2 and the second width W2 of the 3D printable filament.
[0025] According to another embodiment, at least one elongated strip may be rolled along a longitudinal axis to form a tubular 3D printable filament comprising straight walls. In such an embodiment, the first length L1 of the at least one elongated strip will be the same as the second length L2 of the 3D printable filament, and the first width W1 of the at least one elongated strip will be greater than the second width W2 of the 3D printable filament.
[0026] After step b), the second longitudinal extension L2 of the 3D printable filament may be in the range of 10 cm to 1000 m, preferably in the range of 10 cm to 100 m. In addition, the second lateral extension W2 of the 3D printable filament may be in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm, and the second height W2 of the 3D printable filament may be in the range of 5 mm to 1 mm. It should be noted that the second height W2 represents the diameter of the tubular 3D printable filament, the thickness of the spiral 3D printable filament, or the thickness of the 3D filament in the form of a folded strip, depending on the forming properties in step b).
[0027] In particular, the second width W2 may be equal to the second thickness T2.
[0028] The 3D printable material according to the present invention may include at least a first layer and a second layer, wherein the second layer is arranged on or beside the first layer. The first layer may include a first thermoplastic polymer, and the second layer may include a second thermoplastic polymer different from the first thermoplastic polymer. This embodiment provides the advantage of being able to manufacture 3D objects with complex layer structures. The first thermoplastic polymer and / or the second thermoplastic polymer may be a single material or a combination of two or more materials.
[0029] The properties of the first layer may be different from the properties of the second layer. For example, the first layer may include a first additive material and the second layer may include a second additive material different from the first additive material. The first additive material and / or the second additive material may be particles or pigments. These layers will be melted and mixed in the nozzle of the 3D printer, which allows the method of the present invention to provide a large variety of possibilities.
[0030] 3D printable materials may include multiple layers, where each layer may have different properties.
[0031] The first layer may include first particles, and the second layer may include second particles different from the first particles.
[0032] The first particles and / or the second particles may be selected from light scattering particles, light reflecting particles, light converting particles, light absorbing particles, thermally conductive particles. The light scattering particles may be BaSO4, Al2O3 and / or TiO2 particles. The light converting particles may be phosphor particles, including different phosphor particles. The light reflecting particles may include, but are not limited to, flakes and / or glitter. Examples of flakes are silver and / or aluminum flakes. Examples of glitter are PET foil cut parts, which may have one or more coatings / layers. Examples of light absorbing particles include graphite particles. Thermally conductive particles are particles with high electrical conductivity, such as copper particles.
[0033] In particular, the property may be the color. Alternatively or additionally, the property may be the reflectivity or permeability of different gases and liquids.
[0034] The 3D printable material may be reinforced by, for example, arranging at least one layer of woven fibers.
[0035] The elongated strip may have a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being opposite the second edge along the first longitudinal extension. The method of the present invention may include a step b') of bonding the first edge to the second edge, wherein step b') occurs before step c). Bonding may be performed by applying a bonding material or heating the 3D printable filament. If step b') is present, the obtained 3D printable filament has improved structural integrity.
[0036] The method according to the invention may further comprise a step a') of drying at least one elongated strip, wherein step a') occurs before or simultaneously with step a). Drying may be carried out at elevated temperatures, for example in an oven or by exposure to hot air. Alternatively, drying may also be carried out by exposure to infrared light. It should be noted that at least one of steps a'), b) and b') may be performed in a 3D printer. Such an embodiment provides the advantage of a simplified and cost-effective production process, since the above steps may be carried out online.
[0037] As mentioned above, the method of the present invention may also include step a"): providing a sheet comprising a 3D printable material, and cutting the sheet to provide at least one elongated strip of 3D printable material, wherein step a") occurs before step a). An advantage of this embodiment is that it facilitates transportation and handling of the 3D printable material before step a).
[0038] The present invention also relates to a 3D printable filament for manufacturing a 3D object by fused deposition modeling, wherein the 3D printable filament is manufactured by the above method. The 3D printable filament according to the present invention can be used to manufacture 3D objects in a conventional manner.
[0039] The invention also relates to a 3D printer for manufacturing a 3D object by performing the above method, the 3D printer comprising a tool for performing step b). Such a tool may be a forming element for forming at least one elongated strip into a 3D printable filament. If present, the forming element is arranged upstream of the printer head so that at least one elongated strip passes through the forming element and is formed into a 3D printable filament before passing through the printer head. As described above, it is thus possible to use elongated thin strips, thereby significantly reducing drying time and improving manufacturing accuracy.
[0040] The forming element may be a rotatable guide plate comprising holes for receiving a plurality of elongated strips. The elongated strips are fed through the holes of the guide plate, and the rotational movement of the guide plate causes the elongated strips to twist, thereby forming a 3D printable filament.
[0041] As described above, the 3D printable material may include an additive material, wherein the volume percentage of the additive material is at most about 60 volume %, in particular at most about 30 volume %, such as at most 20 volume %, relative to the total volume of the thermoplastic material and the additive material.
[0042] At least one additive can be selected from antioxidants, heat stabilizers, light stabilizers, ultraviolet light stabilizers, ultraviolet light absorbing additives, near infrared light absorbing additives, infrared light absorbing additives, plasticizers, lubricants, mold release agents, antistatic agents, antifogging agents, antimicrobial agents, colorants, laser marking additives, surface effect additives, radiation stabilizers, flame retardants, and anti-drip agents. The additive can have useful properties selected from optical properties, electrical properties, thermal properties, and mechanical properties.
[0043] The printable material is printed on the receiver item. In particular, the receiver item may be or may consist of a build platform. The receiver item may also be heated during 3D printing. However, the receiver item may also be cooled during 3D printing.
[0044] The phrase "printing on a receiver item" and similar phrases include printing directly on the receiver item, or printing on a coating on the receiver item, or printing on a previously printed 3D printing material on the receiver item. The term "receiver item" may refer to a print platform, a print bed, a substrate, a support, a build plate, or a build platform. In addition to the term "receiver item", the term "substrate" may also be used. Thus, the phrase "printing on a substrate" and similar phrases include printing directly on a substrate, or printing on a coating on a substrate, or printing on a previously printed 3D printing material on a substrate.
[0045] The printable material is deposited layer by layer, thereby generating a 3D object in the printing stage. The 3D object may display a characteristic ribbed structure originating from the deposited filaments. However, after the printing stage, another stage, such as a finalization stage, may also be performed. This stage may include removing the printed object from the receiver object and / or one or more post-processing actions. One or more post-processing actions may be performed before removing the printed object from the receiver object, and / or one or more post-processing actions may be performed after removing the printed object from the receiver object. Post-processing may include, for example, one or more of polishing, coating, adding functional components, cross-linking, etc. Post-processing may include smoothing the ribbed structure, which may result in a substantially smooth surface. Post-processing may include cross-linking of thermoplastic materials. This may result in a reduction or complete loss of the thermoplastic properties of the material.
[0046] The 3D object manufactured by the above method may include multiple layers stacked on top of each other, i.e., stacked layers. In an embodiment, the width W of an individual 3D printed layer is L and height H L It can be selected, for example, from the range of 100-5000 pm, such as 200-2500 pm, where the height is generally smaller than the width. For example, the ratio of height to width can be equal to or less than 0.8, such as equal to or less than 0.6. It should be noted that the layer width W of each layer L and / or layer height H L Can be combined with other layers with layer width W L and / or layer height H L The same or different. The 3D article may comprise at least 5 layers, such as at least 8 layers, such as at least 10 layers.
[0047] Finally, the present invention relates to a lighting device, which includes a 3D object manufactured by the above method. The lighting device also includes a light source that provides light source light. The 3D object can be a housing and / or an optical component. Part of the light source light can be transmitted and / or reflected by the 3D object. The lighting device can be a lamp and / or a lamp. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts, and in which:
[0049] Figure 1 A 3D printable material in the form of an elongated strip is depicted;
[0050] Figure 1A , Figure 1B and Figure 1C Schematically depicting a twisted 3D printable filament according to the present invention;
[0051] Figure 2Illustration of a rolled 3D printable filament with a curled wall;
[0052] Figure 3 A rolled 3D printable filament with straight walls is shown;
[0053] Figure 4 A 3D printable filament comprising a plurality of layers is depicted;
[0054] Figure 5 Illustration of enhanced 3D printable filaments;
[0055] Figure 6 depicts step b') of the method according to the invention;
[0056] Figure 7 The diagram shows a print head of a 3D printer used in the method of the present invention.
[0057] All the figures are schematic and not necessarily to scale and generally show only parts which are necessary in order to elucidate embodiments of the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0058] The present invention will now be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments of the present invention described herein; rather, these embodiments of the present invention are provided by way of example so that the disclosure conveys the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same or similar components having the same or similar functions, unless otherwise specifically stated.
[0059] Figure 1 A 3D printable material 1 in the form of an elongated strip is shown, the elongated strip having a first longitudinal extension L1, a first lateral extension W1 substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal extension L1, and a first height T1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal extension L1 and the first lateral extension W1, the 3D printable material comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer.
[0060] Figure 1A-Figure 1C Different embodiments of twisted 3D printable filaments 2 are illustrated. As shown, the first longitudinal extension L1 of the elongated strip 1 is greater than the second longitudinal extension L2 of the 3D printable filament 2. In addition, the second longitudinal extension L2 of the 3D printable filament depends on the amount of twist per unit length of the elongated strip 1. Figure 1A-Figure 1C As shown, the longitudinal extension of the 3D filaments decreases as the amount of twist per unit length increases.
[0061] Figure 2A rolled tubular 3D printable filament 3 comprising a curled wall is illustrated. In such an embodiment, the first length L1 and the first width W1 of the elongated strip 1 will be greater than the second length L2 and the second width W2 of the 3D printable filament 3. Furthermore, the second width W2 is equal to the second thickness T2.
[0062] Figure 3 A tubular 3D printable filament 4 comprising straight walls is depicted. In such an embodiment, the first length L1 of at least one elongated strip 1 will be the same as the second length L2 of the 3D printable filament 4, while the first width W1 of at least one elongated strip 1 will be greater than the second width W2 of the 3D printable filament 4.
[0063] Figure 4 A 3D printable material 101 comprising a plurality of layers is illustrated, wherein the layers are stacked one upon the other. As described above, the first layer may comprise a first thermoplastic polymer, and the second layer may comprise a second thermoplastic polymer different from the first thermoplastic polymer. Such an embodiment provides the advantage of being able to manufacture a 3D object having a complex layer structure. The first thermoplastic polymer and / or the second thermoplastic polymer may be a single material, or may be a combination of two or more materials.
[0064] The properties of the first layer may be different from the properties of the second layer. For example, the first layer may include a first additive material and the second layer may include a second additive material different from the first additive material. The first additive material and / or the second additive material may be particles or pigments. These layers will be melted and mixed in the nozzle of the 3D printer, which allows the method of the present invention to provide a large variety of possibilities.
[0065] The first layer may include first particles, and the second layer may include second particles different from the first particles.
[0066] The first particles and / or the second particles may be selected from light scattering particles, light reflecting particles, light converting particles, light absorbing particles, thermally conductive particles. The light scattering particles may be BaSO4, Al2O3 and / or TiO2 particles. The light converting particles may be phosphor particles, including different phosphor particles. The light reflecting particles may include, but are not limited to, flakes and / or glitter. Examples of flakes are silver and / or aluminum flakes. Examples of glitter are PET foil cut parts, which may have one or more coatings / layers. Examples of light absorbing particles include graphite particles. Thermally conductive particles are particles with high electrical conductivity, such as copper particles.
[0067] In particular, the property may be the color. Alternatively or additionally, the property may be the reflectivity or permeability of different gases and liquids.
[0068] When the 3D printable material 101 is rolled into the 3D printable filament 102, the layers will be as follows Figure 4Arrangement shown. This embodiment provides the advantage of providing 3D objects with various properties.
[0069] The 3D printable material 202 may be reinforced by, for example, arranging at least one layer of woven fibers 206, such as Figure 5 shown.
[0070] As mentioned above, the method of the present invention may include a step b') of bonding the 3D printable filaments, wherein step b' is performed before step c). Such a step is Figure 6 As shown, an elongated strip 301 is rolled into a tubular 3D printable filament 302 having curled walls. The edges of the 3D filament 302 are bonded by an adhesive 307.
[0071] Figure 7 A 3D printer 400 for manufacturing 3D objects by fused deposition modeling is illustrated, the 3D printer comprising a printer head 500 for receiving a 3D printable filament 402 .
[0072] Although the present invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The detailed description is intended to be regarded as illustrative, and the appended claims, including all equivalents, are intended to define the scope of the invention. Although the present invention has been shown in the drawings and the above description, such illustrations should be regarded as illustrative or exemplary, not restrictive; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. By studying the drawings, the present disclosure and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other variations to the disclosed embodiments when practicing the claimed invention. In the appended claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The fact that certain measures are cited in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that the combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any figure mark in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope.
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing a 3D object by fused deposition modeling, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing a 3D printable material in the form of at least one elongated strip (1), the at least one elongated strip having a first longitudinal extension (L1), a first transverse extension (W1) substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal extension (L1), and a first height (T1) substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal extension (L1) and the first transverse extension (W1), the 3D printable material comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer; b) forming the at least one elongated strip (1) into a 3D printable filament (2) by at least one of twisting and rolling about an axis parallel to the first longitudinal extension (L1), the 3D printable filament having a second longitudinal extension (L2), a second lateral extension (W2) substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal extension (L2), and a second height (T2) substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal extension (L2) and the second lateral extension (W2); c) feeding the 3D printable filament (2) to a printer head (500) of a 3D printer (400); d) melting the 3D printable filament in the printer head (500) of the 3D printer (400); as well as e) depositing the 3D printable material layer by layer to provide the 3D object comprising multiple layers of 3D printed material.
2. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the 3D printable material comprises at least a first layer (105) and a second layer (105'), wherein the second layer (105') is arranged on or beside the first layer (105).
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first layer (105) comprises a first thermoplastic polymer and the second layer comprises a second thermoplastic polymer different from the first thermoplastic polymer.
4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step b) is twisting, and wherein the 3D printable filament (2) is a helix.
5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the 3D printable filament (2) is a tube.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the elongated strip (1) has a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being opposite to the second edge along the first longitudinal extension (L1), the method further comprising a step b') of bonding the first edge to the second edge, wherein step b' occurs before step c).
7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises a step a') of drying the at least one elongated strip (1), wherein the step a') occurs before or simultaneously with step a).
8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises a step a") of providing a sheet comprising a 3D printable material, and cutting the sheet to provide at least one elongated strip (1) of the 3D printable material, wherein step a") occurs before step a).
9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first longitudinal extension (L1) of the at least one elongated strip (1) is in the range of 10 cm to 100 m, the first transverse extension (W1) of the at least one elongated strip (1) is in the range of 1 mm to 4 cm, and the first height (T1) of the at least one elongated strip (1) is equal to or less than 1 mm.
10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second longitudinal extension (L2) of the 3D printable filament (2) is in the range of 10 cm to 100 m, the second lateral extension (W2) of the 3D printable filament (2) is in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm, and the second height (T2) of the 3D printable filament is in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm.
11. A 3D printable filament (2) for manufacturing a 3D object by fused deposition modeling, the 3D printable filament comprising a 3D printable material in the form of at least one elongated strip (1), the at least one elongated strip having a first longitudinal extension (L1), a first lateral extension (W1) substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal extension (L1), and a first height (T1) substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal extension (L1) and the first lateral extension (W1), the 3D printable material comprising at least one thermoplastic polymer; wherein the 3D printable material has been formed by at least one of twisting and rolling about an axis parallel to the first longitudinal extension (L1), and wherein the 3D printable filament has a second longitudinal extension (L2), a second lateral extension (W2) substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal extension (L2), and a second height (T2) substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal extension (L2) and the second lateral extension (W2).
12. A 3D printer (400) for manufacturing a 3D object by performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the 3D printer (400) comprising a tool for performing step b).
13. A 3D object manufactured by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
14. A lighting device comprising the 3D object according to claim 13 and a light source (000) for providing light source light.