公开(公告)号：US20220098350A1

公开(公告)日：2022-03-31

申请号：US17458192

申请日：2021-08-26

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Michael Christopher COLE ,  Peter DORFINGER

IPC: C08F283/01 ,  A61C7/08 ,  A61C7/10 ,  B33Y10/00 ,  B29C64/124

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and processes to control multiple temperatures in additive manufacturing. Such temperature control adjusts polymer properties and facilitates processing of materials to form 3D objects. The systems and processed disclosed herein also facilitate the processing of typically difficult-to-process materials and deliver such materials to a photocuring zone configured to photopolymerize materials into 3 dimensional objects with a layer-by-layer process. Such processes can include the steps of heating a resin to a flowable temperature, applying the resin to a carrier, cooling the film to increase viscosity or to solidify the resin, and applying the film containing the resin onto an area being printed, then photocuring the film. Also provided herein are resins and related polymer materials having properties that are tunable with exposure to more than one temperature zone. The formed polymers can include multiple regions of polymer material, each independently having distinct properties. Processes and systems are also provided herein that are configured to produce polymeric materials having multiple regions with distinct properties from a single-component formulation.

公开(公告)号：US20200171848A1

公开(公告)日：2020-06-04

申请号：US16780162

申请日：2020-02-03

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Michael Christopher COLE

IPC: B41J11/00 ,  C09D11/322 ,  C09D11/101 ,  B41M5/00 ,  B41J3/407 ,  A61C7/08

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.

公开(公告)号：US20190255863A1

公开(公告)日：2019-08-22

申请号：US16400991

申请日：2019-05-01

Applicant: Align Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Michael Christopher COLE

IPC: B41J11/00 ,  C09D11/322 ,  C09D11/101 ,  B41M5/00 ,  A61C7/08 ,  B41J3/407

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of obtaining good photocured-ink adhesion to low surface energy materials. The methods have greatly improved adhesion of photocured ink on low surface energy materials, including those that are subjected to high humidity or wet environments. The methods take into account the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials and the onset for the glass transition temperature, including ink applied to an exposed surface of the material at an elevated temperature that is close to the Tg of the material. The ink is allowed to sit briefly or soak, such as for more than 1 second, before the ink is cured. The ink may be photocured. Furthermore, the methods do not require solvents or surface treatment, including plasma or corona treatments, to obtain good ink adhesion.