Methods for preventing oxygen inhibition of a light-initiated polymerization reaction in a 3D printing system using inert gas
US11673328B2 · kind B2 · utility
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3References
8Claims
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Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 4, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y40/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Methods that prevent oxygen inhibition of a light-initiated polymerization reaction by purging the oxygen from reaction surfaces using inert gas flow. In some embodiments, oxygen is purged using a gas diffusion system that introduces, via a diffuser, an inert gas into a workspace between a UV light source and a UV curable layer of a workpiece. The diffuser may be made of a transparent or diffuse material to allow UV light to pass through it, and includes an array of micro-holes for the gas to pass through towards the workpiece. The inert gas flow may be heated to maintain a desired and uniform reaction temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.