UV-Curable Support Material for 3D Photopolymer Jetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D-printing support materials for photopolymer jetting are difficult to remove completely and often result in poor surface quality, requiring labor-intensive chemical or mechanical processes, and are challenging to adjust for desired properties.
Innovation Solution
A UV-curable 3D-printing support material composition comprising N-acryloyl glycinamide monomer, a hydrophilic co-monomer, a dispersion medium, and a photoinitiator, which forms a dual-hydrogen bonded gel that undergoes gel-to-sol transition in warm water, allowing for easy and chemical-free removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If chemical or mechanical washing processes are used to remove support material, then support material can be removed, but surface quality deteriorates and labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support material's solubility parameter is changed by incorporating water-soluble polymers and salts, allowing it to dissolve in warm water at controlled temperatures. This enables removal through dissolution rather than mechanical or chemical washing, preserving surface quality while easing the removal process.
Solution Approach 2:
The support material undergoes phase transition from solid gel structure to dissolved state in warm water. The gel-to-sol transition occurs when water penetrates the gel network, causing it to dissolve and release the printed structure, enabling easy removal without damaging the build.
2Ease of operation
If water-soluble polymers and salts are added to support material, then support material becomes easier to remove, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support material is formulated as a composite gel system combining water-soluble polymers (such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide), salts (such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride), and crosslinking agents. This composite approach enables tailored solubility and mechanical properties while maintaining a systematic formulation framework.
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 support material provides strong mechanical integrity during printing and can be completely dissolved in warm water, ensuring smooth surface quality and ease of removal without damaging the build structure.
Implementation Method 1
UV-curable 3D-printing support material composition... photoinitiator... forms a dual-hydrogen bonded gel that undergoes gel-to-sol transition
Implementation Method 2
forms a dual-hydrogen bonded gel that undergoes gel-to-sol transition in warm water
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a UV-curable composition capable of producing a 3D-printed support sub-structure for photopolymer jetting, and to a3D-printing processes using said support material composition, and to a3D-printed articles obtainable with said 3D-printing processes. The composition comprises a N-acryloyl glycinamide type monomer,anoptional hydrophilic co-monomer, a hydrophilic dispersion medium or water, a photoinitiator, and an optional functional additive or combination thereof, at specific contents.