Soluble support material for electrophotography-based additive manufacturing
AssigneeStratasys, Inc.
InventorTrevor I. Martin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A support material for printing a support structure with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the support material including a composition having a charge control agent and a thermoplastic copolymer having aromatic groups, (meth)acrylate-based ester groups, carboxylic acid groups, and anhydride groups, with a high anhydride conversion. The composition is provided in a powder form having a controlled particle size, and the support material is configured for use in the electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having a layer transfusion assembly for printing the support structure in a layer-by-layer manner, and is at least partially soluble in an aqueous solution.
Claims18
A support material comprising:
- a water soluble thermoplastic copolymer in powder form;
- a charge control agent;
- and
- wherein the support material is configured for use in an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having a layer transfusion assembly for printing the support material in a layer-by-layer manner in coordination with printing a three-dimensional part.
A method for printing a support structure with an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system, the method comprising:
- providing a support material in powder form comprising a water soluble thermoplastic copolymer and a charge control agent to the electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system;
- electrically charging the support material;
- and
- developing layers of the support structure from the charged support material with an electrophotography engine.
A support material comprising:
- a water soluble thermoplastic copolymer in powder form;
- a charge control agent constituting from about 0.1% by weight to about 5% by weight of the part material;
- and
- wherein the support material is configured for use in an electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system having a layer transfusion assembly for printing the support material in a layer-by-layer manner in coordination with printing a three-dimensional part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.