3D Printing Ink Viscoelasticity for Glossy Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional three-dimensional shaped article manufacturing methods struggle to produce a glossy texture consistently and efficiently, often resulting in unintended wrinkling and difficulty in achieving a glossy finish.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a combination of substantive section-forming ink and sacrificial layer-forming ink, where the sacrificial layer-forming ink has a viscoelasticity greater than or equal to the substantive section-forming ink during curing, applied in a predetermined pattern by inkjet, to prevent wrinkling and achieve a glossy surface, using specific components like 2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl (meth)acrylate and polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, along with polymerization initiators such as bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phenyl phosphineoxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional lamination method with binding solution is used, then three-dimensional shaped article can be formed quickly and inexpensively, but unintended wrinkling is generated irregularly and glossy texture cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the ink material from conventional binding solutions to photocurable resin-based inks. This parameter change enables the ink to maintain appropriate viscosity during layer formation and then cure to form a stable, wrinkle-free surface, achieving both manufacturing efficiency and surface quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the phase transition of photocurable resin from liquid state (during deposition and layer formation) to solid state (upon UV irradiation curing). This phase transition allows the ink to remain fluid enough for smooth layering while subsequently solidifying to prevent wrinkling and maintain surface integrity, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing speed and surface quality.
2Ease of operation
If ink viscosity is reduced for smooth layering, then layer formation becomes easier, but wrinkling occurs during curing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements dynamic viscosity control through the photocuring process. The ink maintains low viscosity in the liquid state for easy layer formation, then undergoes rapid curing to increase viscosity and lock the surface structure. This dynamic property change allows smooth layering followed by stable surface formation without wrinkling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies the preliminary action principle by first depositing the ink in a fluid state that allows smooth layer formation, then immediately applying UV irradiation to cure the ink before wrinkling can occur. This sequential action ensures both ease of layering and surface stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple ink components are added to achieve glossy finish, then surface quality improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite material formulation by combining photocurable resin, polymerization initiator, and coloring agent into a single integrated ink composition. This composite approach achieves glossy surface finish through the curing mechanism while maintaining relatively simple ink composition and application process, avoiding the need for multiple separate components or complex manufacturing equipment.
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
The method enables stable and efficient production of three-dimensional shaped articles with a glossy texture, improving dimensional accuracy and mechanical strength while reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a first discharge unit configured to discharge a substantive section-forming ink to a region that forms the three-dimensional shaped article; a second discharge unit configured to discharge a sacrificial layer-forming ink for forming a sacrificial layer
Implementation Method 2
inks including a curable resin... configured to cure the substantive section-forming ink and the sacrificial layer-forming ink
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional shaped article manufacturing apparatus is an apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped article by laminating layers formed by discharging and curing inks including a curable resin. The apparatus comprises: a first discharge unit configured to discharge a substantive section-forming ink to a region that forms the three-dimensional shaped article; a second discharge unit configured to discharge a sacrificial layer-forming ink for forming a sacrificial layer to a region that is adjacent to a region that forms an outermost layer of the three-dimensional shaped article and on a surface side of the outermost layer; and a curing unit configured to cure the substantive section-forming ink and the sacrificial layer-forming ink. A viscoelasticity of the sacrificial layer-forming ink during curing of the substantive section-forming ink being not less than a viscoelasticity of the substantive section-forming ink during curing of the substantive section-forming ink.