Radiation Curable Resin for 3D Printing Release and Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current visible light image projection systems require resin compositions that minimize surface tackiness and adhesion to facilitate easy removal from transfer films while maintaining sufficient physical properties for forming high-quality three-dimensional objects, and existing resins often pose safety concerns due to skin contact sensitization.

Innovation Solution

A radiation-curable composition comprising urethane, poly(meth)acrylate, polyester poly(meth)acrylate, silicone poly(meth)acrylate compounds, and both visible and UV light range free radical polymerization initiators, which allows for quick curing and reduced tackiness, enabling reliable production of high-quality three-dimensional parts with improved handling safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing resins are used in visible light image projection systems, then the curing process can be completed, but the cured resin exhibits surface tackiness and excessive adhesion to transfer films, making removal difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of removal from transfer filmVSAvoidsurface tackiness and adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the resin by incorporating specific silane-modified polyesters and controlled amounts of reactive diluents, which fundamentally changes the curing characteristics to reduce surface tackiness and improve release properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite resin system combining silane-modified polyesters, acrylic monomers, and specific photoinitiators, where the synergistic interaction between components achieves both easy release from transfer films and reduced surface tackiness while maintaining adequate adhesion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If the resin is formulated to have reduced adhesion for easy removal, then removal from transfer film improves, but the physical properties required for forming high-quality three-dimensional objects deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of removal from transfer filmVSAvoidphysical properties of three-dimensional object
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different functional characteristics to different aspects of the resin system: the silane-modified polyester base provides bulk strength and structural integrity, while the specific monomer and photoinitiator combination controls surface properties for easy release, achieving local optimization of both adhesion and release characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the resin cures quickly to be tack-free, then productivity increases, but the physical properties and handling safety of the cured part may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecuring speedVSAvoidhandling safety and physical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates silane-modified polyester components that undergo preliminary crosslinking reactions during the curing process, creating a robust three-dimensional network structure that ensures adequate physical properties and handling safety even with rapid curing rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes the photoinitiator system and monomer composition to achieve rapid initial curing that eliminates surface tackiness quickly, while the silane crosslinking provides ongoing structural development that ensures final part strength and handling safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition ensures easy release from transfer films, quick curing to be tack-free, and provides desirable physical properties for high-quality three-dimensional parts, enhancing the reliability of image projection processes and user safety by reducing skin contact risks.

Implementation Method 1

at least one visible light range free radical polymerization initiator and at least one UV light range free radical polymerization initiator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS7358283B2Radiation curable compositions useful in image projection systems
Publication Date: 2008.04.15 3D SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A radiation curable composition comprising: A) at least one urethane poly(meth) acrylate compound; B) at least one poly(meth)acrylate compound; C) at least one polyester poly(meth)acrylate compound; D) at least one silicone poly(meth)acrylate compound; E) at least one visible light range free radial photopolymerization initiator; and F) at least one UV light range free radical polymerization initiator.