Enzymatic Degradation of 3D Printed Support Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current additive manufacturing (AM) techniques face challenges in efficiently and safely removing support materials, which can be time-consuming, damage the object, and require toxic solvents or high temperatures, especially in applications like investment casting and biomedical uses where temporary structure stability is needed.
Innovation Solution
A degradable material solution combining a degradable component and a disintegrating agent, where the degradable component is chemically disassembled by the disintegrating agent, allowing for easy removal of the support structure through chemical degradation, enabling fast, inexpensive, and convenient formation of self-destructible objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If soluble support materials are used in additive manufacturing, then support material removal becomes easier, but the dissolving process requires long periods of time and may require toxic solvents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the support material by incorporating degradable polymers with specific functional groups that can be rapidly degraded by enzymatic or chemical agents, transforming the removal process from slow diffusion-based dissolution to fast catalytic degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces enzymatic agents or chemical catalysts as intermediaries that mediate the breakdown of support materials. These agents accelerate the degradation process by catalyzing the cleavage of polymer chains, enabling rapid removal without requiring long immersion times in toxic solvents
2Ease of manufacture
If phase change materials are used as support materials, then support removal is facilitated through melting, but the high temperature required causes deformation of the model structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters by using degradable materials that can be removed at low temperatures through enzymatic or chemical degradation, replacing the high-temperature melting process. This allows support removal without exposing the model structure to deforming heat
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the thermal-mechanical removal process (melting) with a chemical-biological process (enzymatic degradation). Instead of using heat to melt and remove support material, the system uses enzymatic agents to chemically degrade the polymer chains at ambient or low temperatures
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional support material removal processes are used, then support structures can be removed, but the process is time-consuming and may damage the formed object
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces selectively degradable polymers and enzymatic agents as intermediaries that enable gentle, selective removal of support structures. The enzymatic degradation targets specific polymer chains in the support material without affecting the object material, preserving object integrity while facilitating easy support removal
4Ease of manufacture
If degradable materials are used in investment casting, then mold preparation materials can be easily removed, but traditional removal methods require melting, evaporation or burning which are complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the mold preparation material by using degradable polymers that can be rapidly broken down by enzymatic or chemical agents. This transforms the removal process from complex thermal processes (melting, evaporation, burning) to simple chemical degradation that can be performed under mild conditions
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 solution enables rapid and cost-effective removal of support structures without damaging the object, reducing the need for toxic solvents and high temperatures, and is suitable for applications requiring temporary stability, such as investment casting and biomedical uses.
Implementation Method 1
the degradable component is degraded by the disintegrating agent after the degradable material is hardened or solidified
Data Source
AI summary
A three dimensional printing method for producing a self-destructible temporary structure, comprising: depositing, layer by layer, a degradable material solution having a biosynthetic copolymer as a degradable component and a disintegrating agent solution comprising enzyme as the disintegrating agent, wherein the disintegrating agent is capable of disintegrating the degradable component. The steps include curing deposited layers to form gel layers and activating the disintegrating agent by an external trigger during or after depositing the disintegrating agent to gradually degrade the degradable component.