Amorphous Crosslinked Fluorinated Copolymer Windows for CLIP Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CLIP printing windows lack sufficient mechanical properties, leading to brittle failures such as cracking and reduced durability due to their susceptibility to mechanical stress and polymerization inhibitor permeability.
Innovation Solution
Development of optically transparent and semipermeable windows composed of amorphous crosslinked fluorinated copolymers, which enhance mechanical properties and durability by incorporating a layer of amorphous crosslinked fluorinated copolymer on a semipermeable substrate, improving resistance to cracking and crack propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional polymer films are used for CLIP printing windows, then the window can maintain optical transparency and gas permeability, but the mechanical properties are insufficient leading to brittle failures and cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a rigid support layer with a flexible polymer film layer to create a window structure that exhibits both the mechanical strength of the rigid layer and the flexibility/crack resistance of the polymer film. The composite structure allows the materials to complement each other's properties, achieving improved overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the polymer film by selecting specific materials with optimized properties such as elongation at break, tensile strength, and gas permeability. By carefully controlling these parameters, the window achieves both mechanical durability and functional performance for CLIP printing.
2Strength
If the polymer film is made more rigid to improve mechanical strength, then resistance to deformation improves, but susceptibility to cracking and brittle failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible polymer film as the top layer that can deform elastically under stress without cracking. This flexible layer acts as a protective shell that absorbs mechanical stresses and prevents crack propagation to the rigid support layer beneath, thereby improving overall window durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible polymer film serves as a pre-positioned cushioning layer that absorbs and dissipates mechanical stresses before they can reach the rigid support layer. This beforehand protection prevents stress concentration and crack initiation in the rigid layer, improving the window's resistance to brittle failure.
3Strength
If silane coupling agents are used to improve adhesion between layers, then bonding strength increases, but the complexity of the manufacturing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid support layer is designed with a porous structure that provides mechanical interlocking with the polymer film layer. This porosity creates physical anchoring points that enhance adhesion without requiring additional chemical coupling agents, thereby improving bonding strength while keeping the manufacturing process relatively simple.
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 use of amorphous crosslinked fluorinated copolymers in CLIP printing windows results in superior durability and reliability, reducing the likelihood of brittle failures and enhancing the overall mechanical strength of the windows, thus improving the CLIP printing process.
Implementation Method 1
The gas permeable windows have superior durability and reliability compared with other available structures and compositions
Implementation Method 2
An ultraviolet light beam shines through the window, illuminating the precise cross-section of the object. The light causes the resin to solidify.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are optically transparent and semipermeable windows composed of at least one layer of an amorphous crosslinked fluorinated copolymer. Also disclosed are a process and apparatus for three-dimensional continuous liquid interface production (CLIP) printing using the windows described herein. The amorphous crosslinked fluorinated copolymers have improved mechanical properties, thereby reducing the susceptibility of the window to brittle failures such as cracking and crack propagation. The gas permeable windows have superior durability and reliability compared with other available structures and compositions.