BCT Cement 3D Printing Additive Removal

Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3D printing technologies for building components and structures using cement-based materials are costly and labor-intensive due to the need for complex mixtures of additives and polymers, which increase expenses and effort.

Innovation Solution

The use of Belite Calcium Sulfoaluminate Ternesite (BCT) cement for 3D printing, which develops sufficient early and final strength without the need for complex additive mixtures, reducing costs and simplifying the building material composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If complex mixtures of additives and polymers are used in cement-based 3D printing materials, then the early strength and final strength requirements are met, but the cost and manufacturing complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearly strength and final strengthVSAvoidmixture composition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex mixture of additives and polymers from the cement-based material formulation. By using pure BCT cement without these additional components, the invention eliminates the need for continuous adaptation of additive quantities and compositions, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the required strength characteristics through the inherent properties of BCT cement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of cement composition by selecting BCT cement with specific mineralogical characteristics (high belite and ternesite content) that inherently provide the required early and final strength. This parameter change eliminates the need for additional additives and polymers, simplifying the material formulation while meeting strength requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If complex mixtures of additives and polymers are used in cement-based 3D printing materials, then the strength requirements are met, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearly strength and final strengthVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the expensive additives and polymers from the material formulation. By relying on the inherent strength-development capabilities of BCT cement, the invention eliminates the need to continuously purchase and adapt complex additive mixtures, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining required strength levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a simple, cost-effective BCT cement formulation without expensive polymer and additive components. This approach uses a basic, affordable cement type that delivers the necessary performance, avoiding the high costs associated with complex commercial concrete mixtures designed for 3D printing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If BCT cement is used without complex additives, then the cost and manufacturing simplicity improve, but the early strength development must be sufficient for 3D printing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixture composition simplicityVSAvoidearly strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of cement composition by selecting BCT cement with specific mineralogical characteristics (high belite and ternesite content) that inherently provide the required early and final strength. This parameter change eliminates the need for additional additives and polymers, simplifying the material formulation while meeting strength requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Quantity of substance

If BCT cement is used without complex additives, then the production cost decreases, but the final strength must remain sufficient for structural applications

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidfinal strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of cement composition by selecting BCT cement with specific mineralogical characteristics (high belite and ternesite content) that inherently provide the required early and final strength. This parameter change eliminates the need for additional additives and polymers, simplifying the material formulation while meeting strength requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

BCT cement enables rapid and cost-effective 3D printing of components and buildings with high early and final strength, minimizing the need for additives and reducing production complexity, while maintaining structural stability without retarding or accelerating agents.

Implementation Method 1

BCT cement, provided that little or no retarder is added, develops both sufficient early strength and a usable final strength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3353134A13D printing of components and structures with bct cement

Publication Date: 2018.08.01 HEIDELBERG MATERIALS AG

AI summary

The present invention relates to the use of belite calciumsulfoaluminate ternesite cement for producing components and structures by means of 3D printing and a method for producing components and structures by the 3D printing of belite calciumsulfoaluminate ternesite cement.