Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a filament comprising a core material (CM) comprising a ceramic material precursor (CMP) and the core material (CM) is coated with a layer of shell material (SM) comprising a thermoplastic polymer as a support material in a fused filament fabrication process. Further, the invention relates to three-dimensional objects and a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a filament comprising a core material (CM) comprising a ceramic material precursor (CMP) and the core material (CM) is coated with a layer of shell material (SM) comprising a thermoplastic polymer as a support material in a fused filament fabrication process. Further, the invention relates to three-dimensional objects and a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a filament comprising a core material (CM) comprising a ceramic material precursor (CMP) and the core material (CM) is coated with a layer of shell material (SM) comprising a thermoplastic polymer as a support material in a fused filament fabrication process. Further, the invention relates to three-dimensional objects and a process for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of a photocurable formulation (F) for the use in an additive manufacturing process. In this method a ceramic dispersion (CD) comprising at least one ceramic material, at least one first acrylate and at least one dispersant is mixed with a solution (S) which comprises at least one second acrylate and at least one photoinitiator to obtain the photocurable formulation (F). The present invention furthermore relates to the photocurable formulation (F) obtainable by the inventive method and to a method for the production of a molding in an additive manufacturing process by curing the photocurable formulation (F). Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of the photocurable formulation (F) in an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: The use of a mixture (M) comprising (a) from 40 to 70% by volume of an inorganic powder (IP) based on the total volume of the mixture (M), (b) from 30 to 60% by volume based on the total volume of the mixture (M) of a binder (B) comprising (b1) from 50 to 96% by weight of at least one polyoxymethylene (POM) based on the total weight of the binder (B), (b2) from 2 to 35% by weight of at least one polyolefin (PO) based on the total weight of the binder (B), (b3) from 2 to 40% by weight of at least one further polymer (FP) based on the total weight of the binder (B) in a fused filament fabrication process.

Abstract: A printed mask derived from a composition comprised of at least one compound including at least one alkaline-hydrolyzable group, and at least one compound including at least one ethylene oxide group. The printed mask is removable using an alkaline solution in about 30 seconds or less.

Abstract: A printed mask derived from a composition comprised of at least one compound including at least one alkaline-hydrolyzable group, and at least one compound including at least one ethylene oxide group. The printed mask is removable using an alkaline solution in about 30 seconds or less.

Abstract: A method of producing an assembled object from a plurality of layers is provided. The method comprises generating a layer of a sintered mass of a sinterable powder on a surface and transferring the layer to an object to be assembled. The sinterable powder may be applied to a surface and at least part of the sinterable powder is fused with a radiant energy source to form a layer of sintered powder. The layer of sintered powder is then transferred to the object to be assembled, the object comprising a plurality of layers of sintered powder fused together. A sinterable powder composition is also provided. The sintered powder comprises at least one thermoplastic polymer and a light absorber. Other materials such as fillers, additives, and flow agents may also be added to the composition. An object comprised of a plurality of layers wherein each layer is a sintered mass of a sinterable powder and each layer is fused at least in part to another layer is provided.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a three-dimensional object includes the steps of forming a mixture that contains a binder and a least one of aluminum or a first aluminum-base alloy into a green composite, removing the binder from said green composite, forming a porous preform structure, reacting the aluminum or first aluminum base alloy with nitrogen to form a rigid skeleton and infiltrating the porous structure with molten aluminum or second aluminum base alloy to form the three-dimensional object with near theoretical density. The green composite may be formed by an additive process such as computer aided rapid prototyping, for example selective laser sintering. The method facilitates the rapid manufacture of aluminum components by an inexpensive technique that provides high dimensional stability and high density.

Abstract: A UV curable composition useful for three-dimensional inkjet printing comprising (i) at least one UV curable urethane (meth)acrylate resin; (ii) at least one wax; (iii) at least one (meth)acrylate diluent; (iv) at least one photoinitiator; and (v) at least one polymerization inhibitor; wherein the amount of wax (ii) is sufficient to phase change the UV curable composition after jetting.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a molded refractory article comprising the steps of providing a mold including a molding pattern, the mold and molding pattern defining a mold cavity; filling the mold cavity around the molding pattern with a mixture comprising refractory particles and a heat fugitive binder; inserting a plurality of elements of relatively high melting point material into the mixture to displace a portion of the mixture; curing the mixture; separating the mold and molding pattern from the cured mixture; and sintering the combination of the cured mixture and mixture displacing elements to provide a reinforced molded refractory article. The mixture displacing elements preferably comprise a plurality of parallel tool steel rods. Also disclosed is an apparatus for molding the aforedescribed reinforced refractory article.

Abstract: A method for making a molded refractory article including the steps of providing a mold including a master pattern, the mold and master pattern defining a mold cavity; filling the mold cavity with a mixture comprising refractory particles and a heat fugitive binder; placing the assembly of the mold, master pattern and mixture in a furnace; curing the mixture; separating the mold and master pattern from the cured mixture; removing the binder to form a porous structure, sintering the porous structure to provide a porous refractory article and infiltrating the porous refractory article with a filler metal.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to related methods of producing a three-dimensional object by dispensing sheets of a material, capable of physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation, onto a substantially flat working surface of a previous cross-section. In one preferred embodiment, sheets of a photoresist are employed which change solubility upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation. In other preferred embodiments, non-photoreactive sheets are employed, which ablate upon exposure to infrared radiation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing surface discontinuities, resulting from the formation of a three-dimensional object out of a plurality of stacked layers, during layer by layer stereolithographic formation of the three-dimensional object. The discontinuities between layers are reduced by utilizing formation and solidification of thin fill layers near the edges of thicker structural layers or by utilizing surface tension effects to smooth discontinuities between the structural layers by formation of meniscuses of building material and solidifying the meniscuses.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of generating three-dimensional objects from a medium capable of selective physical transformation upon exposure to synergistic stimulation, whereby sheets of medium corresponding to cross-sectional layers of the three-dimensional object are dispensed from a source, the dispensed sheets then being selectively exposed to synergistic stimulation thereby forming a layer of the three-dimensional object, the areas not exposed to synergistic stimulation being removed, and whereby successive sheets corresponding to successive cross-sectional layers are dispensed and selectively exposed to synergistic stimulation and integrated together with preceding layers to provide substantially a layer by layer buildup of the three-dimensional object, thereby forming the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: The combination of a fingernail having adhered to the surface thereof and providing a smooth surface, a coating formed from a polymer of an acrylic monomer, a hydrocarbon solvent and a wax. The acrylic monomer can be acrylic or methacrylic. The solvent can be an alkane or alkene having 6 to 8 carbon atoms. The wax can be paraffin. Also included into the composition can be added an antioxidant and/or thickening agent.The novel method which comprises applying to a fingernail a liquid composition containing an acrylic monomer, a hydrocarbon solvent, and a wax, and allowing the composition to dry to form an adherent polymeric coating.The fingernail may be the natural fingernail alone, or together with an artificial fingernail extension.