AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR 3D PRINTING

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a 3D article (1) by means of 3D printing, the method comprising the steps of: a) printing a 3D structure (1) extending in a first plane and comprising a first surface (4) and a second surface (4) being opposite to the first surface (4); b) cooling the 3D structure (1); c) heating the one of the first and the second surfaces (4, 4) of the 3D structure (1); d) deforming the 3D structure (1) in a second plane deviating from the first plane, such that a 3D article (1) is obtained; c) cooling the 3D article (1).

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a 3D article by means of 3D printing, said method comprising the steps of: a) printing a 3D structure comprising a first surface and a second surface being opposite to said first surface, the 3D structure comprising a portion extending from one of the first surface and the second surface in a first plane; b) cooling said 3D structure; c) heating said one of said first and said second surfaces of said 3D structure; d) deforming said 3D structure, by means of bending the portion in a second plane deviating from said first plane, such that the 3D article is obtained; e) cooling said 3D article, wherein the method further comprises the step of: a) printing at least one bending tool for defining an angle of bending.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said printing in step a) is performed by fused deposition modelling.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein step c) is performed by arranging said one of said first and said second surfaces of said 3D structure on a heating plate.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein step c) is performed at a temperature from 120? C. to 180? C.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said method further comprises step d) of stretching said 3D structure, wherein step d) occurs between step c) and step e).

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein step a) occurs simultaneously with or immediately after step a).

7. A 3D article manufactured by the method according to claim 1, wherein said 3D article comprises a first portion extending in a first plane and at least one second portion substantially extending in a second plane deviating from said first plane.

8. The 3D article according to claim 7, wherein said second portion of said 3D article comprises at least one aperture.

9. The 3D article according to claim 7, wherein said second portion of said 3D article is discontinuous.

10. The 3D article according to claim 7, wherein said second portion of said 3D article is constituted by at least one snap-fit locking device.

11. The 3D article according to claim 7, wherein said 3D article is substantially dome-shaped.

12. The 3D article according to claim 7, wherein said 3D article comprises a UV stabilizer arranged to inhibit photodegradation.

13. The 3D article according to claim 7, wherein said 3D article comprises thermoplastic biopolymer.

14. The 3D article according to claim 7, wherein said 3D article has a thickness of from 0.5 to 5 mm.

15. The 3D article according to claim 7, wherein said 3D article comprises a reinforcing additive arranged to increase the impact strength of said 3D article.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0030] FIGS. 1a and 1b depict a 3D article comprising a plurality of vertical snap-fit locking arrangements;

[0031] FIGS. 2a through 4b illustrate shallow dome shapes with integrated apertures.

[0032] All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate embodiments of the present invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention will now be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplifying embodiments of the present invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments of the present invention set forth herein; rather, these embodiments of the present invention are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, identical reference numerals denote the same or similar components having a same or similar function, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0034] FIG. 1a shows a 3D structure l extending in a first plane and comprising a first surface 4 and a second surface 4 being opposite to the first surface. The 3D structure is obtained by steps a) and b) of the method according to the present invention. The 3D structure comprises a first portion 2 and a second portion 3 extending from the first surface 4 in a first plane.

[0035] Next, steps c) and d) are performed, wherein the first surface 4 of the 3D structure 1 is heated, and the second portion 3 of the 3D structure 1 is deformed in a second plane deviating from the first plane, such that a 3D article 1 is obtained and cooled according to step e).

[0036] As may be seen in FIG. 1b, the second plane is substantially perpendicular to the first plane. The 3D article 1 comprises a discontinuous second portion 3, being constituted by three snap-fit locking devices. The 3D article 1 is thus an annular element comprising snap-fit protrusions arranged perpendicularly to the plane of the ring.

[0037] Turning the attention to FIG. 2a, another 3D structure 101 is shown. The 3D structure 101 extends in a first plane and comprises a first surface 104 and a second surface 104 being opposite to the first surface. The 3D structure is obtained by steps a) and b) of the method according to the present invention. The 3D structure comprises a first portion 102 and a second portion 103 extending from the first surface 104 in a first plane.

[0038] Next, steps c) and d) are performed, wherein the first surface 104 of the 3D structure 101 is heated, and the second portion 103 of the 3D structure 101 is deformed in a second plane deviating from the first plane, such that a 3D article 101 is obtained and cooled according to step e).

[0039] As may be seen in FIG. 2b, the 3D article 101 comprises a discontinuous second portion 103, being constituted by a dome shape comprising a plurality of apertures.

[0040] FIGS. 3a and 3b show another embodiment of the present invention. The 3D structure 201 extends in a first plane and comprises a first surface 204 and a second surface 204 being opposite to the first surface. The 3D structure is obtained by steps a) and b) of the method according to the present invention. The 3D structure comprises a first portion 202 and a second portion 203 extending from the second surface 204 in a first plane.

[0041] Next, steps c) and d) are performed, wherein the second surface 204 of the 3D structure 201 is heated, and the second portion 203 of the 3D structure 201 is deformed in a second plane deviating from the first plane, such that a 3D article 201 is obtained and cooled according to step e).

[0042] As may be seen in FIG. 3b, the 3D article 201 comprises a discontinuous second portion 203, being constituted by a dome shape comprising a plurality of apertures.

[0043] The method for manufacturing the 3D article 201 comprises step d) of stretching the 3D structure 201 beyond elongation at room temperature. Also, at elevated temperature the forces needed for deformation are reduced.

[0044] Finally, FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate yet another embodiment of the present invention. The 3D structure 301 extends in a first plane and comprises a first surface 304 and a second surface 304 being opposite to the first surface. The 3D structure is obtained by steps a) and b) of the method according to the present invention. The 3D structure comprises a first portion 302 and a second portion 303 extending from the first surface 304 in a first plane.

[0045] Next, steps c) and d) are performed, wherein the first surface 304 of the 3D structure 301 is heated, and the second portion 303 of the 3D structure 301 is deformed in a second plane deviating from the first plane, such that a 3D article 301 is obtained and cooled according to step e).

[0046] As may be seen in FIG. 4b, the 3D article 301 comprises a discontinuous second portion 303, being constituted by a dome shape comprising a plurality of apertures.

[0047] Although the present invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is intended that the detailed description be regarded as illustrative and that the appended claims including all the equivalents are intended to define the scope of the invention. While the present invention has been illustrated in the appended drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration is to be considered illustrative or exemplifying and not restrictive; the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the appended claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.