FILM AREAS FUNCTIONALIZED BY MEANS OF 3D PRINTING FOR FINISHING WORKPIECE SURFACES

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for functionalizing a workpiece surface, comprising the following steps: a) providing a workpiece; b) providing a film; c) functionalizing at least one film side by the location-selective application of a functionalization composition comprising a polymer material onto part of the film side in one or more layers by means of a 3D printing process; d) creating an integrally bonded or interlocking connection between the workpiece surface and the film functionalized in step c) by bringing the film into contact with at least part of the workpiece surface, wherein the integrally bonded or interlocking connection to the workpiece surface is achieved with a functionalized film side. The invention further relates to workpieces having a surface functionalized according to the invention.

Claims

1. A process for the functionalization of a workpiece surface, comprising: a) providing a workpiece having a workpiece surface; b) providing a film with at least two film sides; c) functionalizing at least one film side by location-selective application of a functionalization composition comprising a polymeric material via a 3D printing process in one or more layers onto at least a portion of the at least one film side to form a functionalized film side; d) bringing the film into contact with at least a portion of the workpiece surface for development of a coherent or interlocking connection between at least a portion of the workpiece surface and the film functionalized in step c), the coherent or interlocking connection to the workpiece surface being achieved with the functionalized film side.

2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein a heat distortion temperature (HDT) measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 75-1 to 3 method B of the printed functionalization composition is ≥5° C. and ≤200° C. higher than a heat distortion temperature of the film.

3. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for the functionalization in step c), the film has been arranged to be flat.

4. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein, before the functionalization in step c), the film is secured tautly across a mold, where a surface of the mold is a mirror image of the workpiece surface.

5. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein a layer thickness of the printed functionalization composition is greater than a layer thickness of the film.

6. The process as claimed in claim 1, further comprising thermally processing during or before functionalizing in step c) at a temperature T which is in a range of 5° C. below T.sub.g to 200° C. above T.sub.g of the film.

7. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the 3D printing process in step c) is selected from FFF processes, inkjetting processes, or SLS processes.

8. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polymeric material of the functionalization composition is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polycarbonate, polyesters, polyamide, polyetherimide, polyetherketone, polyimide, polyoxymethylene, polysilicone, thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane, polyacrylate-containing thermoset materials, and mixtures thereof.

9. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coherent or interlocking connection between workpiece surface and functionalized film is achieved by way of a thermoforming step.

10. The process as claimed in claim 9, wherein before or during the thermoforming step the functionalized film is heated to a temperature that is ≥5° C. above a heat distortion temperature of the functionalized film.

11. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein before step d) a tie layer is provided to the functionalized film side and/or to the workpiece surface at least to some extent at a site of contact between the film and the workpiece.

12. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the functionalization composition further comprises functionalized additions selected from the group consisting of conductive materials, dyes, pigments, fillers, fibers, and mixtures of at least two thereof.

13. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein functionalizing the film in step c) comprises applying a fixing means to the film by printing.

14. A workpiece with a functionalized surface, produced by a process as claimed in claim 1.

15. The workpiece as claimed in claim 14, wherein the workpiece is an interior component of a vehicle selected from the group consisting of an aircraft, a rail vehicle, and a motor vehicle.

Description

[0101] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the figures below, but is not restricted thereto. FIGS. 1 to 3 show diagrams of steps in the process of the invention.

[0102] FIG. 1 shows a film 100 with a designated film side 110. A plurality of layers of a functionalization composition 200 is applied layer-by-layer to said film side 110 by means of an FDM printing head 300 in an additive manufacturing process.

[0103] FIG. 2 shows the situation after conclusion of the FDM printing. That side 110 of the film 100 that has been functionalized with the layers 200 is brought into connection with a workpiece 400 which has a designated workpiece surface 410. This is depicted in the drawing by the motion of the film 100 and the workpiece 400 toward one another. That side 110 of the film 100 on which the functionalization composition 200 has been applied faces toward the workpiece 400 here.

[0104] FIG. 3 shows the situation after functionalized film 100 and workpiece 400 have been joined together. Mention may be made by way of example of a coherent bond connection between workpiece surface 410 (see FIG. 2) and film surface 110 (see FIG. 2) via hot pressing with flow of the film 100 to some extent. The contours of the layers 200 here become apparent on the surface 410 (see FIG. 2) of the functionalized workpiece 400.