Food-Compliant 3D Printing Fusing Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional printing systems for commercial production are limited by the range of materials used, which restricts their capabilities in rapid prototyping and customization, especially in regulated markets like food contact compliance.
Innovation Solution
The development of three-dimensional printing kits and systems that include food contact compliant fusing agents and detailing agents, formulated with components such as water, carbon black dispersion, and co-solvents, which are compatible with fluid jet printing technology and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional three-dimensional printing materials are used, then printing speed and accuracy can be maintained, but the range of compliant materials is limited and regulatory requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of printing materials by formulating fusing agents and detailing agents with specific food contact compliant components including water, co-solvents, surfactants, and pigments. These parameter changes enable the materials to meet regulatory requirements while maintaining functional performance in three-dimensional printing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite printing materials by combining multiple food contact compliant substances including water-based fusing agents with co-solvents, surfactants, and pigments. These composite formulations achieve both regulatory compliance and effective printing functionality, expanding the range of usable materials
2Reliability
If food contact compliant fusing agents and detailing agents are used, then regulatory requirements are met, but the formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops multi-functional food contact compliant formulations that simultaneously serve as fusing agents, detailing agents, or both. These universal formulations contain components that perform multiple functions including binding, detailing, and regulatory compliance, thereby reducing the number of separate formulations needed and simplifying the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates homogeneous food contact compliant formulations by carefully selecting and mixing water-based components, co-solvents, surfactants, and pigments to achieve uniform properties throughout the fusing and detailing agents. This homogeneity ensures consistent performance and simplifies formulation handling
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
These systems enable fast and accurate three-dimensional printing with improved selectivity between fused and unfused portions, enhancing the capability for rapid prototyping and customization while meeting regulatory requirements for food contact compliance.
Implementation Method 1
The fusing agent absorbs more energy from the light than the unprinted powder. The absorbed light energy is converted to thermal energy, causing the printed portions of the powder to melt and coalesce.
Implementation Method 2
The absorbed light energy is converted to thermal energy, causing the printed portions of the powder to melt and coalesce.
Implementation Method 3
A printing head, such as a fluid jet print head, is then used to print a fusing agent and/or detailing agent over portions of the powder bed.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is drawn to food contact compliant three-dimensional printing kits, materials, compositions, systems, and methods. In some examples, described herein is an example of a multi-fluid kit for three-dimensional printing comprising: a food contact compliant fusing agent comprising: at least about 70 wt % water based on the total weight of the food contact compliant fusing agent, food contact compliant carbon black dispersion in an amount of from about 3 wt % to about 10 wt % based on the total weight of the food contact compliant fusing agent, and at least one food contact compliant water soluble first co-solvent present in the food contact compliant fusing agent in an amount of from about 1 wt % to about 25 wt % based on the total weight of the food contact compliant fusing agent.