Method for producing silicone elastomer articles with elevated print quality

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018370141-A1
Application number	US-201615779627-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 17, 2016
Priority date	Oct 17, 2016
Publication date	Dec 27, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

In an additive 3D printing method for production of shaped articles from silicone elastomers, an elastomeric shaped body is built up step by step, by repeatedly precisely positioning portions of the crosslinkable silicone material and crosslinking by means of electromagnetic radiation. Charges that occur on the surface of the print material or on the article are neutralized by means of an ionization system.

First claim

1 .- 15 . (canceled)

16 . A method for layer-by-layer production of a shaped silicone elastomer article, comprising the following steps:
1) by means of a spatially independently controllable 3D printing device, in an x,y working plane, applying crosslinkable silicone print materials in the form of droplets or continuous strands via one or more print nozzles to a spatially independently controllable carrier plate, to an extrinsic component positioned thereon, or to a print material layer applied beforehand, wherein at least one of the print materials comprises a silicone elastomer curable by electromagnetic radiation; 2) by means of at least one spatially independently controllable source of electromagnetic radiation, crosslinking or partly crosslinking the print materials applied, so as to form a layer of the cured or partly cured shaped silicone elastomer article; 3) moving the print nozzle of the 3D printing device or the carrier plate in a z direction in a defined manner, such that a next print material layer can be applied in the x,y working plane; 4) repeating steps 1) to 3) until the shaped silicone elastomer article is fully constructed, wherein steps 1), 2) and 3) are effected independently of one another or coupled to one another simultaneously or successively in any sequence, and wherein the print materials, after leaving the print nozzle, traverse a discharge region generated by means of an ionization system.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein in addition to a silicone elastomer print material, a second print material which is removable after completion of the shaped silicone elastomer article is applied as a support material.

18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the discharge region covers part or all of the surface of the carrier plate, of the extrinsic component, or of a previously applied print material layer.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the discharge region covers part or all of the surface of the carrier plate, of the extrinsic component, or of a previously applied print material layer.

20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein a controlled gas flow of ionizable gas is generated proceeding from the ionization system in the direction of the discharge region.

21 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the outer boundaries of the shaped silicone elastomer article are printed first to form an outlined interior, and then the outlined interior is filled completely or partly with print material.

22 . The method of claim 16 , wherein silicone the print material applied is subjected fully or partly to mechanical vibration prior to crosslinking or partial crosslinking.

23 . The method of claim 21 , characterized in that there is at least one extrinsic component present in the outlined interior.

24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein silicone the print material applied is subjected fully or partly to mechanical vibration prior to crosslinking or partial crosslinking.

25 . A manufacturing system for use in the method of claim 16 , comprising at least the following components:
a) a spatially independently controllable 3D printer device comprising one or more reservoirs for one or more print materials and at least one print head comprising one or more print nozzles ( 1 ), b) a spatially independently controllable source of electromagnetic radiation, c) a spatially independently controllable carrier plate, and d) an ionization system which generates a discharge region in the region between print nozzles and the carrier plate.

26 . The manufacturing system of claim 25 , wherein the ionization system comprises one or more spatially independently controllable ionization electrodes.

27 . The manufacturing system of claim 25 , wherein the ionization system has at least one gas connection for an ionizable gas and at least one gas nozzle directed toward the discharge region.

28 . The manufacturing system of claim 25 , wherein the ionization system is arranged in a laterally inclined manner with respect to the print head or in the form of a ring beneath each print nozzle.

29 . The manufacturing system of claim 25 , further comprising at least one vibration generator.

30 . The manufacturing system of claim 29 , wherein the vibration generator is integrated into at least one holder of the carrier plate.

Assignees

• Wacker Chemie Ag

Inventors

• Eller Klaus
• Dormeier Siegfried
• Selbertinger Ernst

Classifications

• B29K2105/24

  crosslinked or vulcanised · CPC title

• B29C64/291

  for operating globally, e.g. together with selectively applied activators or inhibitors · CPC title

• B29C64/371 Primary

  using an environment other than air, e.g. inert gas · CPC title

• B33Y30/00

  Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor · CPC title

• B29C64/209

  Heads; Nozzles · CPC title