3D Inkjet Material Formulations for Low-Temperature Jetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D inkjet printing technologies are limited by the need for high temperatures (50-90°C) that are unsuitable for printing temperature-sensitive materials and environments, such as office/home settings, due to viscosity increases at lower temperatures.
Innovation Solution
Development of modeling material formulations with viscosities of no more than 50 cPs at 35°C, comprising hydrophobic and hydrophilic curable materials with specific Tg ranges and compositions, enabling jetting and solidification at temperatures below 50°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If high temperatures (50-90°C) are used for 3D inkjet printing, then the viscosity of building materials is reduced enabling proper jetting, but temperature-sensitive materials cannot be printed and the process becomes unsuitable for office/home environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the building material by incorporating low molecular weight curable materials (average molecular weight ≤500 g/mol) and adjusting the ratio of hydrophobic to hydrophilic materials. This parameter change enables the material to maintain jettable viscosity at low temperatures (≤50°C) without requiring high temperature heating, thus resolving the contradiction between jetting capability and working temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material formulations combining multiple curable materials with different properties (hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials with specific Tg ranges). This composite approach allows the material to exhibit optimal viscosity at low temperatures while maintaining curability and mechanical properties, enabling printing without high temperature heating.
2Temperature
If the viscosity of building materials is reduced to enable jetting at low temperatures, then temperature-sensitive materials can be printed, but the material composition becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the material formulation by focusing on key parameters: average molecular weight ≤500 g/mol and specific Tg ranges for hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials. By controlling these parameters, the patent achieves low-temperature jetting without requiring complex multi-component formulations, thus resolving the contradiction between low temperature operation and formulation complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the production of 3D objects with desired thermal and mechanical properties at low temperatures, suitable for temperature-sensitive materials and environments, while maintaining compatibility with existing inkjet printing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The curable materials may be UV-curable materials and/or may undergo polymerization and/or cross-linking upon exposure to UV irradiation and/or upon exposure to other forms of irradiation
Data Source
AI summary
Modeling material formulation systems usable in additive manufacturing, 3D inkjet printing in particular, of three-dimensional objects, are provided. The formulations comprise two or more curable materials, such that an average molecular weight of the curable materials in each formulation is no more than 500 grams/mol, such that each formulation features a viscosity of no more than 50 centipoises at a temperature of 35° C. Kits comprising the formulations or formulation systems and additive manufacturing processes utilizing same are also provided.