Manufacturing process for papermaking belts using 3D printing technology
AssigneeStructured I, LLC
InventorsByrd Tyler Miller, IV, Justin C. Pence, James E. Sealey, Taras Z. Andrukh, Shane Ervin Hayes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A papermaking belt including zones of material laid down successively using a 3D printing process. The zones include at least a pocket zone configured to form three dimensional structures in a paper web by applying vacuum to pull the paper web against the pocket zone. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the zone also include at least one vacuum breaking zone configured to limit an amount of paper fibers pulled through the pocket zone by the applied vacuum.
Claims23
A method for making a three dimensional papermaking belt configured for use in forming, pressing, drying or molding of fibrous web, wherein the process comprises forming the belt by 3D printing of a polymeric material having a Young's Modulus of 40 to 95 MPa.
A method of making a papermaking belt, comprising:
- laying down successive layers of polymeric material using a 3D printing process so as to form a unitary structure with zones corresponding to the successive layers, wherein the zones comprise:
- a pocket zone configured to form three dimensional structures in a paper web;
- and
- at least one vacuum breaking zone configured to limit an amount of paper fibers pulled through the pocket zone,
- wherein the polymeric material has a Young's Modulus of 40 to 95 MPa.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.