公开(公告)号：US20210189605A1

公开(公告)日：2021-06-24

申请号：US17182678

申请日：2021-02-23

Applicant: U.S. Army Research Laboratory ATTN: RDRL-LOC-I

Inventor： Eric D. Wetzel ,  Larry R. Holmes, JR. ,  Ricardo X. Rodriguez ,  Patrick M. Toal, JR.

IPC: D01F8/14 ,  B29C64/106 ,  B29C55/00 ,  B29C35/02 ,  D01F8/10 ,  D01F8/18 ,  D01F8/00 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  D01D5/30 ,  D01D5/24 ,  B29C64/118 ,  B29C65/00 ,  B29D11/00 ,  B29C65/56

Abstract: A thermoplastic filament comprising multiple polymers of differing flow temperatures in a geometric arrangement and an interior channel containing a structural or functional thread therein is described. A method for producing such a filament is also described. Because of the difference in flow temperatures, there exists a temperature range at which one polymer is mechanically stable while the other is flowable. This property is extremely useful for creating thermoplastic monofilament feedstock for three-dimensionally printed parts, wherein the mechanically stable polymer enables geometric stability while the flowable polymer can fill gaps and provide strong bonding and homogenization between deposited material lines and layers. These multimaterial filaments can be produced via thermal drawing from a thermoplastic preform, which itself can be three-dimensionally printed. Furthermore, the preform can be printed with precisely controlled and complex geometries, enabling the creation of a filament or fiber with an interior thread contained within the outer, printed filament or fiber. This thread adds structural reinforcement or functional properties, such as electrical conductivity or optical waveguiding, to the filament.

公开(公告)号：US20210292934A1

公开(公告)日：2021-09-23

申请号：US17219697

申请日：2021-03-31

Applicant: U.S. Army Research Laboratory ATTN: RDRL-LOC-I

Inventor： Eric D. Wetzel ,  Larry R. Holmes, JR. ,  Ricardo X. Rodriguez ,  Patrick M. Toal, JR.

IPC: D01F8/00 ,  C03B37/028 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  C03B37/027 ,  D01D5/30 ,  G02B6/00 ,  C03B19/00 ,  G02B6/02 ,  B29C65/00 ,  B29D11/00 ,  B29C65/56

Abstract: A thermoplastic filament comprising multiple polymers of differing flow temperatures in a regular geometric arrangement, and a method for producing such a filament, are described. Because of the difference in flow temperatures, there exists a temperature range at which one polymer is mechanically stable while the other is flowable. This property is extremely useful for creating thermoplastic monofilament feedstock for three-dimensionally printed parts, wherein the mechanically stable polymer enables geometric stability while the flowable polymer can fill gaps and provide strong bonding and homogenization between deposited material lines and layers. These multimaterial filaments can be produced via thermal drawing from a thermoplastic preform, which itself can be three-dimensionally printed. Furthermore, the preform can be printed with precisely controlled and complex geometries, enabling the creation of monofilament and fiber with unique decorative or functional properties.

公开(公告)号：US20180087189A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-29

申请号：US15630175

申请日：2017-06-22

Applicant: U.S. Army Research Laboratory ATTN: RDRL-LOC-I

Inventor： Eric D. Wetzel ,  Larry R. Holmes, JR. ,  Ricardo X. Rodriguez ,  Patrick M. Toal, JR.

IPC: D01F8/14 ,  B29C64/106 ,  B29C55/00 ,  B29C35/02 ,  D01F8/10 ,  D01F8/18

CPC classification number: D01F8/14 ,  B29C35/02 ,  B29C55/00 ,  B29C64/106 ,  B29K2033/12 ,  B29K2055/02 ,  B29K2069/00 ,  B29K2105/08 ,  B29L2031/731 ,  B33Y70/00 ,  D01D5/24 ,  D01D5/30 ,  D01F8/00 ,  D01F8/10 ,  D01F8/18 ,  D10B2321/08 ,  D10B2321/10 ,  D10B2331/04 ,  G02B6/02033

Abstract: A thermoplastic filament comprising multiple polymers of differing flow temperatures in a geometric arrangement and an interior channel containing a structural or functional thread therein is described. A method for producing such a filament is also described. Because of the difference in flow temperatures, there exists a temperature range at which one polymer is mechanically stable while the other is flowable. This property is extremely useful for creating thermoplastic monofilament feedstock for three-dimensionally printed parts, wherein the mechanically stable polymer enables geometric stability while the flowable polymer can fill gaps and provide strong bonding and homogenization between deposited material lines and layers. These multimaterial filaments can be produced via thermal drawing from a thermoplastic preform, which itself can be three-dimensionally printed. Furthermore, the preform can be printed with precisely controlled and complex geometries, enabling the creation of a filament or fiber with an interior thread contained within the outer, printed filament or fiber. This thread adds structural reinforcement or functional properties, such as electrical conductivity or optical waveguiding, to the filament.