Solid freeform fabrication using chemically reactive suspensions
AssigneeSandia Corporation
InventorsSherry L. Morisette, Joseph Cesarano, III, Jennifer A. Lewis, Duane B. Dimos
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The effects of processing parameters and suspension chemorheology on the deposition behavior of SFF components derived from polymeric-based gelcasting suspensions combines the advantages associated with SFF fabrication, including the ability to spatially tailor composition and structure as well as reduced tooling costs, with the improved handling strength afforded by the use of gel based formulations. As-cast free-formed Al2O3 components exhibited uniform particle packing and had minimal macro-defects (e.g., slumping or stair casing) and no discernable micro-defects (e.g., bubbles or cracking).
Claims10
A method for freeform fabrication of an object comprising:
- providing a first fluid in a first container;
- providing a second fluid in a second container;
- feeding said first and second fluids to opposing sides of a cylindrical mixing chamber, said mixing chamber further including an output at one end of the cylinder and a rotating paddle within the chamber for mixing the fluids;
- mixing said first and second fluids in said mixing chamber to form a third fluid;
- and
- depositing a bead of said third fluid from said mixing chamber onto a platform that moves relative to said mixing chamber to form an object, said third fluid gelling shortly after being deposited.
A method for freeform fabrication of an object comprising:
- providing a first fluid in a first syringe and a second fluid in a second syringe;
- cooling each of the syringes to keep the first and second fluids from solidifying
- feeding said first and second fluids, respectively, to separate first and second inputs of a mixing chamber;
- mixing said first and second fluids in said mixing chamber to form a third fluid;
- and
- depositing a bead of said third fluid from said mixing chamber onto a platform that moves relative to said mixing chamber to form an object, said third fluid gelling shortly after being deposited.
A method for freeform fabrication of an object comprising:
- providing a first fluid in a first container, wherein said first fluid is an aqueous solution of a fine powder, a dispersant, and a polymeric additive;
- providing a second fluid in a second container, wherein the second fluid is a cross-linking agent that reacts with the additive to form a gel;
- feeding said first and second fluids to a mixing chamber;
- mixing said first and second fluids in said mixing chamber to form a third fluid;
- and
- depositing a bead of said third fluid from said mixing chamber onto a platform that moves relative to said mixing chamber to form an object, said third fluid gelling shortly after being deposited.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.