Methods And Apparatus For Three-Dimensional Printing Utilizing Croconaine Dyes

Abstract

The present invention provides methods, processes, and systems for the manufacture of three-dimensional articles made of polymers using 3D printing. A layer of powder is deposited on a build plate to form a powder bed. Then, a sintering agent is printed on the powder bed in a predetermined pattern. The printed sintering agent is exposed to stimulus which results in the selective sintering of the power printed with the sintering agent. Sequential layers are printed to provide the three-dimensional article. The sintering agent may include a croconaine dye. The sintering agent may further include a surfactant. The three-dimensional object can be cured to produce the three-dimensional article composed of the final polymers.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.