Selective deposition modeling with curable phase change materials
US6841116B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 11, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y30/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A selective deposition modeling method and apparatus for dispensing a curable phase change material. The dispensing temperature of the material is set at or less than a thermally stable temperature value for the material in which the reactive component of the material remains substantially uncured when held at the temperature for a desired time period. The dispensed material is provided with an environment that enables the material to solidify to form layers of the object. The solidified material is normalized to a desired layer thickness and is then cured by exposure to actinic radiation. In a preferred embodiment a UV curable phase change material is dispensed at about 80° C. and has a viscosity of about 13 to about 14 centipoise at this temperature. The cured material provides substantially increased physical properties over thermoplastic phase change materials previously used in selective deposition modeling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.