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US 10,870,234 B2Granted
Methods and apparatus for 3d printing of highly viscous materials
AssigneePurdue Research Foundation
InventorsJeffrey Frederick Rhoads, Ibrahim Emre Gunduz, Steven Forrest Son, George Tsu-Chih Chiu
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Abstract
This disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatus for 3D printing of highly viscous materials, especially to high amplitude ultrasonic vibration facilitated lower temperature 3D printing of highly viscous materials with a viscosity of at least 1000 Pa·s.
Claims9
A three-dimensional (3D) printing method for highly viscous materials, wherein the method comprises:
- a) providing a 3D printer comprising a reservoir, a nozzle, and a high amplitude ultrasonic vibration generator, wherein the high amplitude ultrasonic vibration generator is configured to generate an ultrasonic vibration through a vibration probe with an amplitude of 1-200 μm near the nozzle;
- and the nozzle is positioned at or in the close vicinity of a node of the ultrasonic vibration, wherein said vibration probe is not in physical contact with said reservoir and said nozzle;
- b) providing a highly viscous material substantially free of any thinning material, wherein the highly viscous material has a viscosity of at least 1000 Pa·s and/or a solid content of at least 60%;
- and
- c) 3D printing the highly viscous material at a temperature lower than 100° C. at the nozzle tip to provide a 3D printed material with a porosity of less than 10%.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.