Water dispersible polymer for use in additive manufacturing
AssigneeStratasys, Inc.
InventorWilliam R. Priedeman, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A water dispersible sulfopolymer for use as a material in the layer-wise additive manufacture of a 3D part made of a non water dispersible polymer wherein the water dispersible polymer is a reaction product of a metal sulfo monomer, the water dispersible sulfo-polymer being dispersible in water resulting in separation of the water dispersible polymer from the 3D part made of the non water dispersible polymer.
Claims16
A method of additive manufacturing a support structure for use with a part made of a non water dispersible polymer, the method comprising:
- printing the part and the support structure with a layer-by-layer manner, wherein the support structure comprising a water dispersible sulfo polymer comprising a reaction product of a sulfur monomer and the reaction product is at least one selected from the group consisting of a sulfo-polyamide, a sulfo-polyesteramide, and a sulfo-polyurethane with approximately 18 to 35% sulfoisophthalic monomer, and the water dispersible polymer comprising a polymer having a glass transition temperature within ±20° C. of the glass transition temperature of the non water dispersible polymer;
- and
- separating the non water dispersible polymer from the water dispersible polymer by subjecting the water dispersible polymer to water.
A method of printing a 3D part, the method comprising:
- heating a filament of a non water dispersible polymer to a molten state in a liquefier of a print head, the non water dispersible polymer having a first glass transition temperature;
- extruding the non water dispersible polymer in a series of road to form a plurality of layers to print the 3D part;
- heating a filament of a water dispersible sulfo polymer comprising a reaction product of a sulfur monomer and the reaction product is at least one selected from the group consisting of a sulfo-polyamide, a sulfo-polyesteramide, and a sulfo-polyurethane, with approximately 18 to 35% sulfoisophthalic monomer and the water dispersible polymer comprising a polymer having a second glass transition temperature within ±20° C. of the first glass transition temperature of the non water dispersible polymer;
- extruding the water dispersible sulfo polymer in a series of roads and layers to provide support the 3D part being printed such that the 3D part retains a selected shape during the printing process;
- and
- removing the water dispersible sulfo polymer from the 3D part by submerging the water dispersible sulfo polymer and the 3D part in tap water.
A method of printing a 3D part, the method comprising:
- heating a filament of a non water dispersible polymer to a molten state in a liquefier of a print head, the non water dispersible polymer having a first glass transition temperature;
- extruding the non water dispersible polymer in a series of road to form a plurality of layers to print the 3D part;
- heating a filament of a water dispersible sulfo polymer comprising a reaction product of a sulfur monomer and the reaction product is at least one selected from the group consisting of a sulfo-polyamide, a sulfo-polyesteramide, and a sulfo-polyurethane, with approximately 18 to 35% sulfoisophthalic monomer and the water dispersible polymer comprising a polymer having a second glass transition temperature within ±20° C. of the first glass transition temperature of the non water dispersible polymer;
- and
- extruding the water dispersible sulfo polymer in a series of roads and layers to provide support the 3D part being printed such that the 3D part retains a selected shape during the printing process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.