Semi-crystalline consumable materials for electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system
AssigneeStratasys, Inc.
InventorsJames E. Orrock, Steven A. Chillscyzn, Trevor I. Martin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A part material for printing three-dimensional parts with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the part material including a composition having a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material and a charge control agent. The part material is provided in a powder form having a controlled particle size, and is configured for use in the electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having a layer transfusion assembly for printing the three-dimensional parts in a layer-by-layer manner.
Claims20
A part material for printing three-dimensional parts with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the part material comprising:
- a composition comprising:
- a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material;
- and
- a charge control agent;
- wherein the part material is provided in a powder form having a D50 particle size ranging from about 5 micrometers to about 30 micrometers;
- and
- wherein the part material is configured for use in the electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having a layer transfusion assembly for printing the three-dimensional parts in a layer-by-layer manner.
A method for printing a three-dimensional part with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having an electrophotography engine, a transfer medium, and a layer transfusion assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a part material to the electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the part material compositionally comprising a charge control agent, and a semi-crystalline thermoplastic material, and has a powder form;
- triboelectrically charging the part material to a Q/M ratio having a negative charge or a positive charge, and a magnitude ranging from about 5 micro-Coulombs/gram to about 50 micro-Coulombs/gram;
- developing layers of the three-dimensional part from the charged part material with the electrophotography engine;
- electrostatically attracting the developed layers from the electrophotography engine to the transfer medium;
- moving the attracted layers to the layer transfusion assembly with the transfer medium;
- and
- transfusing the moved layers to previously-printed layers of the three-dimensional part with the layer transfusion assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.