Pyrotechnic Material 3D Printing via UV Curing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional 3D printing techniques are not suitable for manufacturing pyrotechnic compositions due to the high softening temperature of energetic charges, posing safety risks from excessive heating.

Innovation Solution

A process involving a mixture of photocure resin, plasticizer, photoinitiator, and energetic charge, cured with ultraviolet radiation, which maintains low temperatures during deposition and crosslinking, ensuring safety and high energy loading compatibility with 3D printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pyrotechnic compositions are heated to high temperatures for 3D printing deposition, then the material becomes sufficiently fluid for deposition, but safety risks increase due to the presence of energetic charge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition compatibilityVSAvoidsafety risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from high (conventional 3D printing) to low (below softening temperature) by introducing a plasticizer that modifies the material's rheological properties, enabling deposition at safer temperatures while maintaining printability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a plasticizer as an intermediary substance that mediates between the conflicting requirements of low temperature (for safety) and sufficient fluidity (for deposition), allowing the energetic charge mixture to be printed without excessive heating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If thermal crosslinking is used to cure the resin, then the resin achieves crosslinking, but excessive heating occurs which compromises safety

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresin crosslinkingVSAvoidtemperature exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal field (heat-based crosslinking) with a photonic field (UV light-based crosslinking), eliminating the need for high temperature exposure while achieving the same resin crosslinking effect, thereby improving safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the energy activation parameter from thermal energy (temperature) to photonic energy (UV radiation wavelength), enabling crosslinking to proceed without excessive heating and thus resolving the safety issue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If conventional 3D printing material is used, then deposition is straightforward, but the material cannot achieve sufficient fluidity at low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess temperatureVSAvoiddeposition compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system combining photocurable resin, plasticizer, photoinitiator, and energetic charge, where the plasticizer component specifically addresses the viscosity issue at low temperatures while the other components maintain the desired crosslinking and safety properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 secure and efficient manufacturing of pyrotechnic products by limiting temperature exposure and enhancing compatibility with 3D printing, allowing for high energy loading without safety hazards.

Implementation Method 1

the irradiation by ultraviolet radiation of the deposited mixture in order to crosslink the resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3498400B1Process of making a pyrotechnic material
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 ARIANEGRP SAS
  • EP3498400B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3498400B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite pyrotechnic product, comprising: - the deposition of a mixture by three-dimensional printing, said mixture comprising at least: - a photocurable resin, - a plasticizer, - a photoinitiator, and - an energy charge, and - the irradiation by ultraviolet radiation of the deposited mixture in order to crosslink the resin.