FDM Printed Material Doping for Local Optical Property Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D printing methods using FDM technology face complexity in achieving varying optical effects within a single material composition, often requiring multiple materials or complex apparatus to achieve reflective and non-reflective parts, which complicates the printing process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving fused deposition modeling with a thermoplastic material containing a dopant material, such as polymeric flake-like particles with a metal coating, that irreversibly changes optical properties at a specific temperature, allowing for controlled temperature variations to create varying optical effects within a single material composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple materials or complex apparatus are used to achieve varying optical effects within a single 3D printed item, then the optical property diversity is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing temperature as a control parameter to switch the optical properties of the dopant material. The dopant material exhibits different optical effects (reflective, transparent, colored) at different temperatures, allowing a single material composition to produce varying optical effects throughout the 3D printed item by controlling temperature during printing. This eliminates the need for multiple materials or complex apparatus while achieving optical property diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dopant material serves multiple functions depending on temperature: it can be reflective at lower temperatures, transparent at intermediate temperatures, and colored at higher temperatures. This multi-functionality within a single material allows the 3D printed item to have varying optical effects without requiring multiple specialized materials or complex printing apparatus, thereby resolving the contradiction between optical property diversity and device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single material composition is used for 3D printing, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the ability to achieve varying optical effects is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses temperature parameter changes to enable a single material composition to exhibit varying optical effects. The dopant material's optical properties are temperature-dependent, allowing the same material to be reflective, transparent, or colored at different temperatures. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving optical effect variation through temperature control during the printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by controlling temperature at different locations or stages during printing to create specific optical effects in different parts of the item. By locally controlling temperature, the dopant material can exhibit different optical properties (reflective in some areas, transparent in others) within a single material composition, achieving optical effect variation without complicating the manufacturing process.
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 creation of 3D printed items with differing optical effects using a single material by controlling temperature changes, simplifying the printing process and enhancing controllability of local material properties.
Implementation Method 1
The 3D printed material comprising the dopant material has an optical property that irreversibly changes from a low temperature optical property to a high temperature optical property when increasing a temperature of the 3D printed material comprising the dopant material over a change temperature Tc
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a method for producing a 3D item by means of fused deposition modelling, the method comprising a 3D printing stage comprising layer-wise depositing an extrudate comprising 3D printable material, to provide the 3D item comprising 3D printed material, wherein the 3D item comprises layers of 3D printed material, wherein the method further comprises controlling a first temperature T1 of the 3D printable material within a first temperature range, wherein the 3D printable material comprises a thermoplastic host material and a dopant material in the range of 1-20 vol. %, the dopant material comprising polymeric flake-like particles having a metal coating, wherein the 3D printable material has an optical property that irreversibly changes from a low-temperature optical property to a high-temperature optical property when increasing a temperature of the 3D printable material over a change temperature Tc, the optical property being selected from the group consisting of reflection, transmission, luminescence, absorption, and color, wherein the change temperature Tc is within the first temperature range, wherein during at least a first part of the 3D printing stage the first temperature T1 is below the change temperature Tc, and wherein during at least a second part of the 3D printing stage the first temperature T1 is above the change temperature Tc.