Solid Build Ink for Multi-Color 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing technologies face challenges in printing articles with multiple colors due to differing curing rates and final hardness values of UV curable materials, which can lead to uneven shrinkage and cure rate issues.
Innovation Solution
The development of solid build inks comprising 40-70% solid acrylate, 10-45% non-curable wax, 1-15% curable wax, and a photoinitiator, with a specific ratio of non-curable to curable wax to adjust curing speed and final hardness, allowing for synchronized cure times and hardness across different colors, along with a support material of non-curable wax for scaffold deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different colors of UV curable materials are used in 3D printing, then color diversity is improved, but curing rate uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of UV curable materials by incorporating both curable and non-curable waxes in specific ratios. This parameter change ensures that all color variants of the build ink exhibit identical curing characteristics, resolving the contradiction between color diversity and curing uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves homogeneity in curing behavior across different colored materials by formulating all build inks with the same base composition containing curable and non-curable waxes. This homogeneous formulation ensures that curing rates and final hardness values are consistent across all colors, eliminating the variability that would otherwise prevent multi-color printing
2Adaptability or versatility
If different colors of UV curable materials are used in 3D printing, then color variety is improved, but final hardness consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the compositional parameters of the UV curable materials by incorporating non-curable wax alongside curable wax. This parameter modification ensures that the final hardened state of all colored materials achieves consistent hardness values, resolving the contradiction between color variety and hardness consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite UV curable materials that combine curable and non-curable waxes in controlled ratios. This composite formulation allows the material to achieve uniform final hardness across different colors while maintaining color variety, as the non-curable wax component provides a consistent baseline hardness that is independent of colorant variations
3Adaptability or versatility
If UV curable materials with different colors are used, then multi-color printing capability is improved, but shrinkage uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the material composition parameters by incorporating non-curable wax into the UV curable build ink formulation. This parameter change ensures that all colored materials exhibit uniform shrinkage behavior during curing, as the non-curable wax component provides a stable dimensional reference that compensates for variations in colorant content, thereby enabling reliable multi-color printing
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
This solution enables the creation of 3D printed articles with minimal shrinkage and consistent curing rates across various colors, allowing for the production of robust and uniformly hardened objects with improved compatibility and tunability in curing profiles.
Implementation Method 1
UV curable solid inks capable of carrying diverse colorants
Implementation Method 2
a curable wax in an amount from about 1 to about 15 percent by weight
Data Source
AI summary
A color three-dimensional (3D) printing system includes (1) a solid build ink for each of a plurality of colors, each solid build ink includes (a) a solid acrylate in an amount from about 40 to about 70 percent by weight, (b) a non-curable wax in an amount from about 10 to about 45 percent by weight, (c) a curable wax in an amount from about 1 to about 15 percent by weight, (d) a photoinitiator, and (e) a colorant; each solid build ink has a curing speed adjusted by a ratio of the non-curable wax to curable wax such that the initial curing speed and final hardness of each solid build ink is approximately the same for each of the plurality of colors, and (2) a support material includes the non-curable wax used in each build ink, the support material providing a scaffold for deposition of each build ink.