Patent · US Active

Printing method for thermoplastic retention device preform

US11364675B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
7References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 13, 2017
Grant dateJun 21, 2022
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 16, 2038

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB33Y10/00
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A method for forming a preform for a thermoplastic retention device is provided. The method includes providing a thermoplastic base material and blending the base material with one or more chemical agents to form a polymer blend. The chemical agents are configured to modify a polymer chain of the base material when the polymer blend is exposed to radiation. The method further includes forming the polymer blend into a filament sized for a three-dimensional printing platform and printing a preform shape from the filament using the three-dimensional printing platform. After the printed preform is hardened, the method includes exposing the printed preform shape to radiation sufficient to cause a reaction between the one or more chemical agents and the base material.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.