In a 3D printing method, a sinterable material is applied and heated to a temperature ranging from about 50 C. to about 400 C. A coalescent agent is selectively applied on a portion of the sinterable material, and a modifying agent is selectively applied on the portion and/or on another portion of the sinterable material. The modifying agent consists of an inorganic salt, a surfactant, a co-solvent, a humectant, a biocide, and water. The sinterable material is exposed to radiation, whereby the coalescent agent at least partially cures the portion of the sinterable material in contact with the coalescent agent, and the modifying agent i) reduces curing of the portion of the sinterable material in contact with both the coalescent agent and the modifying agent ii) prevents curing of the other portion of the sinterable material in contact with the modifying agent, or iii) both i and ii.

The invention relates to a method for producing a plastic object (1) for surgical use, comprising the following steps: a) providing a plastic powder (2); b) heating and pressing the plastic powder (2) thus forming at least one intermediate piece (3); c) mechanically comminuting the at least one intermediate piece (3) to form a granulate (4); and d) joining the granulate (4) to form an integral base body (6). The invention also relates to an implant or to an auxiliary means having at least one base body (6) comprising a UHMWPE material.

The disclosure relates in particular to a machine for additive manufacturing by sintering or melting powder using an energy beam acting on a powder layer in a working zone, said machine comprising a device for layering said powder. The device is configured to distribute the powder that are able to travel over the working zone in order to distribute the powder in a layer having a final thickness suitable for additive manufacturing; transfer the powder to a distribution structure by gravity, and control the quantity of powder transferred to the distribution structure.

The disclosure relates in particular to a machine for additive manufacturing by sintering or melting powder using an energy beam acting on a powder layer in a working zone, said machine comprising a device for layering said powder. The device is configured to distribute the powder that are able to travel over the working zone in order to distribute the powder in a layer having a final thickness suitable for additive manufacturing; transfer the powder to a distribution structure by gravity, and control the quantity of powder transferred to the distribution structure.

Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for densification of a green part composed of metal powders held by a binder under a controlled atmosphere with microwave energy. In particular embodiments, the microwave densification can occur in a continuous, uninterrupted sequence, including the steps of thermal debinding, sintering and infiltration with a secondary infiltrant metal powder. In specific embodiments, the secondary infiltrant metal powder has a lower melting temperature than the metal powders in the green part, and the powder size ratio between the metal powders in the green part and the secondary infiltrant metal powder is selected such that the heating rates of the powders under microwave energy are approximately equalized.

Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for densification of a green part composed of metal powders held by a binder under a controlled atmosphere with microwave energy. In particular embodiments, the microwave densification can occur in a continuous, uninterrupted sequence, including the steps of thermal debinding, sintering and infiltration with a secondary infiltrant metal powder. In specific embodiments, the secondary infiltrant metal powder has a lower melting temperature than the metal powders in the green part, and the powder size ratio between the metal powders in the green part and the secondary infiltrant metal powder is selected such that the heating rates of the powders under microwave energy are approximately equalized.

A powder spreader having automatic powder recovery, comprising: a powder spreading unit (2), a powder collecting unit (3) and a moving unit (4), wherein the powder collecting unit (3) is provided with a base body (31), a working tank (32) and at least one recovery tank (33); powder may be automatically recovered by using a design of the recovery tank and the moving unit.

A composition comprising; a) at least one homopolymer or copolymer of vinyl acetate; and b) at least one softener.

A composition comprising; a) at least one homopolymer or copolymer of vinyl acetate; and b) at least one softener.

Polymer compositions containing polyethylene particles having a multi-modal molecular weight distribution are disclosed. The polymer compositions are well suited to producing porous substrates through a sintering process. Formulations made according to the present disclosure can produce porous substrates having improved flexibility demonstrated by an increased flexural strength while still retaining excellent pressure drop characteristics.