3D Printing With Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Surface Patterning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D printing technologies are limited by the range of materials used, making it difficult to produce functional parts with desired properties such as mechanical strength and visual appearance, and the incorporation of colored agents can be challenging without compromising structural integrity.

Innovation Solution

The use of multi-fluid kits and kits for 3D printing that include fusing, hydrophobizing, and hydrophilizing agents, allowing for the application of hydrophobic and hydrophilic additives at the voxel level, along with post-processing agents to enhance surface properties and coloring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional 3D printing materials are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but surface property customization and functional performance are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface property customizationVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the printing process into multiple sequential steps using different agents (hydrophobizing agent, hydrophilizing agent, coloring agent) applied to specific regions of the powder bed. Each agent performs a specialized function, allowing surface property customization without compromising the structural integrity of the base polymer material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different chemical agents to different local regions of the powder bed based on the desired final properties. Hydrophobizing agents are applied to regions requiring water repellency, hydrophilizing agents to regions requiring water attraction, and coloring agents to regions requiring specific visual appearance. This localized application enables property customization while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple post-processing steps are applied to achieve desired surface properties and coloring, then functional performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple post-processing functions (hydrophobization, hydrophilization, coloring) into a single integrated 3D printing process. All agents are applied during the printing process itself rather than requiring separate post-processing steps, thereby achieving functional performance enhancement without increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs all surface property modifications and coloring as preliminary actions during the 3D printing process itself. The hydrophobizing, hydrophilizing, and coloring agents are applied to the powder bed before or during sintering, eliminating the need for subsequent post-processing steps and reducing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Shape

If colored agents are incorporated during 3D printing, then visual appearance is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual appearanceVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the coloring function from the structural material composition. Instead of incorporating colored pigments into the polymer powder itself (which could compromise structural integrity), the coloring is achieved through a separate coloring agent applied to the surface of the powder bed. This allows visual appearance enhancement while maintaining the purity and strength properties of the base polymer material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 articles with customizable hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface patterns and high-resolution coloring, reducing labor-intensive post-processing and maintaining structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

The electromagnetic radiation absorber can absorb radiation energy and convert the radiation energy to heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation absorption and conversion to heat: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12454096B2Three-dimensional printing with hydrophobizing and hydrophilizing agents

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 PERIDOT PRINT LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure describes multi-fluid kits for three-dimensional printing, three-dimensional printing kits, and methods of making three-dimensional printed articles. In one example, a multi-fluid kit for three-dimensional printing can include a fusing agent, a hydrophobizing agent, and a hydrophilizing agent. The fusing agent can include water and an electromagnetic radiation absorber, wherein the electromagnetic radiation absorber absorbs radiation energy and converts the radiation energy to heat. The hydrophobizing agent can include water and a hydrophobic additive including a first polymer having a hydrophobic group, a monomer that is polymerizable to form a first polymer having a hydrophobic group, or a combination thereof. The hydrophilizing agent can include water and a hydrophilic additive including a second polymer having a hydrophilic group.