3D Article Layer Separation Using Binder Decomposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing three-dimensional shaped article production methods that form articles on a support face challenges in separating the sintered body from the support without damaging the article, due to integration issues between the sintered body and the support.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a separation promotion step, such as heating, to reduce the binding force between the support and the sintered body, followed by a sintering step to suppress integration with the support, thereby facilitating easy separation of the three-dimensional shaped article from the support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a three-dimensional shaped article is formed on a support by stacking and sintering layers, then the article can be produced with complex geometry, but the sintered body integrates with the support making separation difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometric precisionVSAvoidseparation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple layers with different binder compositions. The first layer (support layer) uses binder A with strong bonding to the support plate, while subsequent layers (article layers) use binder B with weak bonding to facilitate separation. This segmentation allows the article to be formed with geometric precision while enabling easy separation by causing the article to detach at the interface between layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the support structure have different bonding characteristics. The first layer has strong adhesion to the support plate (local quality of strong bonding), while the second and subsequent layers have weak adhesion (local quality of weak bonding). This local differentiation in bonding strength allows the article to be securely formed during manufacturing but easily separated afterward by applying force to specific regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the binding force between layers is increased to ensure structural integrity, then the article strength is improved, but the separation process requires excessive load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle strengthVSAvoidseparation load
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The binding force is segmented across different layers. Binder A in the first layer provides strong bonding (high strength) to ensure the support structure integrity, while binder B in subsequent layers provides weak bonding (low strength) to minimize separation load. This segmentation allows the article to have sufficient structural strength while requiring minimal force for separation at the designed weak interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The binding force varies locally across different layers. The first layer has high binding force (strong adhesion) to maintain structural integrity during manufacturing, while the second and subsequent layers have low binding force (weak adhesion) to facilitate easy separation. This local quality differentiation ensures article strength where needed while minimizing separation load at the separation interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach reduces the load required for separating the three-dimensional shaped article from the support and ensures that the article is not damaged during the separation process.

Implementation Method 1

a separation promotion step of promoting the separation of the second layer from the support is performed. Also according to this aspect, the separation promotion step is a heating step of performing heating at a temperature higher than the decomposition temperature of the binder contained in the first composition and lower than the decomposition temperature of the binder contained in the second composition.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

the sintering step of sintering the second layer is performed. Therefore, the integration or the like of the sintered body of the three-dimensional shaped article with the support can be suppressed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP3195955B1Additive manufacturing method of a three-dimensional article
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3195955B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3195955B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3195955B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A three-dimensional shaped article production method for producing a three-dimensional shaped article by stacking layers to form a stacked body includes a first layer formation step of forming a first layer on a support by supplying a first composition containing first particles and a binder, a second layer formation step of forming a second layer composed of one layer or a plurality of layers on the first layer by supplying a second composition containing second particles and a binder, and a separation step of separating the second layer from the support through the first layer, wherein after the separation step, a sintering step of sintering the second layer is performed.