Water-washable resin formulations for use with 3D printing systems and methods

Abstract

A water washable resin formulation for 3D printing systems having at least one water-soluble and/or water-dispersible ingredient such as an oligomer and/or monomer. In one example, a water-soluble ingredient is greater than 1% by weight of the resin formulation. A water-soluble or water-dispersible filler may also be used as an ingredient in the resin formulation. The water-washable photopolymer resin formulation allows printed 3D objects to be cleaned with water rather than organic solvents. Because the water-washable photopolymer resin formulation is insoluble when cured, only the uncured water-washable photopolymer resin formulation is washed away. Depending on the filler's property and compatibility with the other ingredients of the resin formulation, the blending of filler therein can be used to modify the mechanical and chemical properties of the printed 3D objects.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.