Method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object
AssigneeSolvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC
InventorsNancy J. Singletary, Stéphane Jeol
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention pertains to a method for manufacturing a three-dimensional object with an additive manufacturing system, such as an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system, a selective laser sintering system, and/or an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, comprising providing a support material comprising more than 50% wt. of a semi-crystalline polyamide [polyamide (A)] having a melting point, as determined according to ASTM D3418, of at least 250° C. and possessing a water absorption at saturation, by immersion in water at 23° C., of at least 2% wt.
Claims17
A method for making a three-dimensional object with an additive manufacturing system, the method comprising:
- printing layers of a support structure from a support material, the support material comprising more than 50% wt. of a semi-crystalline polyamide (A) having a melting point, as determined according to ASTM D3418, of at least 250° C. and possessing a water uptake at saturation, by immersion in water at 23° C., of at least 5 wt. %,
- printing layers of the three-dimensional object from a part material in coordination with the printing of the layers of the support structure, wherein at least a portion of the printed layers of the support structure support the printed layers of the three-dimensional object, and
- removing at least a portion of the support structure from the three-dimensional object to obtain the three-dimensional object,
- wherein the part material is selected from the group consisting of polysulfones, polyethersulfones, polyphenylsulfones, polyaryletherketones, polyetherimides, polyamideimides, polyphenylenesulfides, polyphenylenes, liquid crystal polymers, polycarbonates, aromatic polyamides, and semi-aromatic polyamides;
- wherein the support material comprises:
- at least one water-soluble polymeric additive different from polyamide (A), which is selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) polymers;
- polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymers;
- polymethylenenaphthalene sulfonates polymers;
- styrene sultanate polymers having —SO3Xa groups, with Xa being H or a metal;
- sulfonated sulfone polymers having —SO3Xa groups, with Xa being H or a metal;
- polysuccinimides and salts;
- polyaspartic acids and salts;
- poly(meth)acrylic acids and salts;
- polyvinyl sulfonic acids and salts;
- and polyvinylalcohols.
A method for making a three-dimensional object with an additive manufacturing system, the method comprising:
- printing layers of a support structure from a support material, the support material comprising more than 50% wt. of a semi-crystalline polyamide (A) having a melting point, as determined according to ASTM D3418, of at least 250° C. and possessing a water uptake at saturation, by immersion in water at 23° C., of at least 5 wt. %,
- printing layers of the three-dimensional object from a part material in coordination with the printing of the layers of the support structure, wherein at least a portion the printed layers of the support structure support the printed layers of the three-dimensional object, and
- removing at least a portion of the support structure from the three-dimensional object to obtain the three-dimensional object,
- wherein the support material comprises at least one water-soluble polymeric additive different from polyamide (A), which is selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneglycol (PEG) polymers;
- polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymers;
- polymethylenenaphthalene sultanates polymers;
- styrene sulfonate polymers having —SO3Xa groups, with Xa being H or a metal;
- sulfonated sulfone polymers having —SO3Xa groups, with Xa being H or a metal;
- polysuccinimides and salts;
- polyaspartic acids and salts;
- poly(meth)acrylic acids and salts;
- polyvinyl sulfonic acids and salts;
- and polyvinylalcohols.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.