Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the bonding of material for the production of three-dimensional objects by selective heating via a laser of wavelength from 100 to 3000 nm. The beam spot may be a focused or unfocused beam spot, or may indeed be spread, as is the case with the diode laser, where the bars may have a stacked arrangement. The selectivity of the melting process is achieved via the application of an absorber to certain subregions of a layer composed of a pulverulent substrate, and then heating of the absorber by laser radiation of wavelength from 100 to 3000 nm. The heated absorber transfers the energy present therein to its surrounding pulverulent substrate, which is melted thereby and, after cooling, has firm cohesive bonding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the bonding of material for the production of three-dimensional objects by selective heating via a laser of wavelength from 100 to 3000 nm. The beam spot may be a focused or unfocused beam spot, or may indeed be spread, as is the case with the diode laser, where the bars may have a stacked arrangement. The selectivity of the melting process is achieved via the application of an absorber to certain subregions of a layer composed of a pulverulent substrate, and then heating of the absorber by laser radiation of wavelength from 100 to 3000 nm. The heated absorber transfers the energy present therein to its surrounding pulverulent substrate, which is melted thereby and, after cooling, has firm cohesive bonding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer powder which comprises nylon-11, and to the use of this powder for shaping processes, and also to moldings produced from this polymer powder. The shaping processes are layer-by-layer processes which use powders, where regions of the respective layer are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy. The selectivity may—with no intention of restricting the invention thereto—be achieved via masks, application of inhibitors, of absorbers, or of susceptors, or via focusing of the energy introduced. After cooling, the regions then solidified can be removed in the form of moldings from the powder bed. Compared with moldings composed of conventional powders, the moldings constructed using the inventive powder by one of the inventive processes exhibit marked advantages in terms of component properties, particularly surface finish.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer powder which comprises nylon-11, and to the use of this powder for shaping processes, and also to moldings produced from this polymer powder. The shaping processes are layer-by-layer processes which use powders, where regions of the respective layer are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy. The selectivity may—with no intention of restricting the invention thereto—be achieved via masks, application of inhibitors, of absorbers, or of susceptors, or via focusing of the energy introduced. After cooling, the regions then solidified can be removed in the form of moldings from the powder bed. Compared with moldings composed of conventional powders, the moldings constructed using the inventive powder by one of the inventive processes exhibit marked advantages in terms of component properties, particularly surface finish.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer powder which comprises polyamide, and to the use of this powder for shaping processes, and also to moldings produced from this polymer powder. The shaping processes are layer-by-layer processes which use powders, where regions of the respective layer are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy. The selectivity may be achieved, with no intention of restricting the invention thereto, be achieved via masks, application of inhibitors, of absorbers, or of susceptors, or via focusing of the energy introduced. After cooling, the regions then solidified can be removed in the form of moldings from the powder bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a powder which comprises specific polyesters for shaping processes, and to moldings produced powder. The shaping processes are layer-by-layer processes which use powder, which comprises selectively melting regions of a powder layer by applying electromagnetic energy. Selectivity can although there is no intention to restrict the invention thereto be achieved via a mask, or application of an inhibitor, of an absorber or of a susceptor, or via focusing of the energy input. After cooling, the regions then solidified can be removed as moldings from the powder bed. The process occurs by using a polyester powder obtained from an alcohol and from a diacid with no use of any aromatic monomer unit. These polyester powders combine high crystallinity and low melting point, and makes the construction process more reliable while good component quality, mechanical properties, density, dimensional accuracy, and low shrinkage are realized.

Abstract: A task often encountered in very recent times is the rapid provision of prototypes. Particularly suitable processes are those based on pulverulent materials and in which the desired structures are produced layer-by-layer through selective melting and solidification. The invention provides the constitution, production and use of a copolyamide powder which was produced using the following monomer units: a) laurolactam or ?-aminoundecanoic acid, and also b) dodecanedioic acid, and either c) decanediamine or dodecanediamine, in shaping processes, and also to moldings produced through a layer-by-layer process which selectively melts regions of a powder layer, using this specific powder. Once the regions previously melted layer-by-layer have been cooled and solidified, the molding can be removed from the powder bed. The moldless layer-by-layer processes for the production of components using the copolyamide powder result in simplified and more reliable conduct of the process and better recyclability.

Abstract: A method for layer-by-layer production of a three dimensional object is provided. The method includes applying a layer of a polymer powder having a thickness; selectively irradiating portions of the polymer powder layer with a laser beam having an average power density and a focus maximum power density to melt and sinter the irradiated polymer powder; cooling the melted and sintered powder to obtain a solid mass having a shape; and repeating the application, irradiating and cooling operations until the three dimensional object is obtained; wherein a duty factor of the laser beam is greater than 60%. Also provided is an apparatus to carry out the method and a molding obtained therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to powder, comprising composite particles comprising core particles completely or partially coated with a precipitated first polymer, where the core particles comprise a second polymer which differs from the precipitated first polymer, and where the ratio of the d50 median diameter of the composite particles to the d50 median diameter of the core particles is 1.15 or greater. The invention further relates to processes of using the powders of the present invention to making mouldings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the layer-by-layer production of three-dimensional objects wherein a powder layer is melted with a laser beam shaped such that the focus maximum power density is less than 50% greater than the average power density, is provided. Also provided are the corresponding mouldings.

Abstract: Composite particles comprising core particles completely or partially coated with a precipitated polymer, where the d50 median diameter of the core particles is from 1 to 70 ?m and wherein the core particle is an inorganic material which does not include titanium dioxide are provided. A method to prepare the particles includes dissolution of a polymer in a solvent and precipitation of the polymer in the presence of a suspension of the core particles. Further provided is a layer by layer moulding process employing the composite particles and mouldings obtained therefrom.

Abstract: A molding, produced by a layer-by-layer process in which regions of respective polymer pulverulent layers are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy, where the process employs a powder which comprises at least one homopolyamide prepared via polycondensation of diamines and dicarboxylic acids, wherein the homopolyamide has an enthalpy of fusion of at least 125 J/g and a recrystallization temperature of at least 148° C.

Abstract: Composite particles comprising core particles completely or partially coated with a precipitated polymer, where the d50 median diameter of the core particles is from 3 to 100 ?m and wherein the glass core particle material is at least one selected from the group consisting of a solid glass bead, a hollow glass bead, a porous glass bead, and a foamed glass particle. A method to prepare the particles includes dissolution of a polymer in a solvent and precipitation of the polymer in the presence of a suspension of the core glass particles. Further provided is a layer by layer moulding process employing the composite particles and mouldings obtained therefrom.

Abstract: Composite particles comprising core particles completely or partially coated with a precipitated polymer, where the d50 median diameter of the core particles is 1 ?m or greater and the ratio of the d50 median diameter of the composite particles to the d50 median diameter of the core particles is 1.15 or greater, are provided. A method to prepare the particles includes dissolution of a polymer in a solvent and reprecipitation of the polymer in the presence of a suspension of the core particles. Further provided is a layer by layer moulding process employing the composite particles and mouldings obtained therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer powder for use in a layer-by-layer method in which areas of each powder layer are selectively fused by introducing electromagnetic energy. Said polymer powder contains: at least one AB-type polyamide produced by polymerizing lactams comprising 10 to 12 carbon atoms in the monomer unit or polycondensing the corresponding ?-amino carboxylic acids comprising 10 to 12 carbon atoms in the monomer unit and at least one AABB-type polyamide produced by polycondensing diamines and dicarboxylic acids, each of which comprises 10 to 14 carbon atoms in the monomer units, the AB-type polyamide containing up to 20 mole % of the AABB comonomer units and the AABB-type polyamide containing up to 20 mole % of the AB monomer units.

Abstract: A powder which is capable of being used in a layer-by-layer process in which regions of the respective pulverulent layer are selectively melted and, after cooling, are fixed, contains a mixture of diacid-regulated polyamide and diamine-regulated polyamide and/or diacid-regulated copolyamide and diamine-regulated copolyamide.

Abstract: A pulverulent composition that is a powder containing at least one polymer, and at least one flame retardant that contains ammonium polyphosphate, the powder having a maximum particle size of ?150 ?m and a median particle size of from 20 to 100 ?m.

Abstract: A molding, produced by a layer-by-layer process in which regions of respective polymer pulverulent layers are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy, where the process employs a powder which comprises at least one homopolyamide prepared via polycondensation of diamines and dicarboxylic acids, wherein the homopolyamide has an enthalpy of fusion of at least 125 J/g and a recrystallization temperature of at least 148° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer powder which comprises polyamide, and to the use of this powder for shaping processes, and also to moldings produced from this polymer powder. The shaping processes are layer-by-layer processes which use powders, where regions of the respective layer are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy. The selectivity may—with no intention of restricting the invention thereto—be achieved via masks, application of inhibitors, of absorbers, or of susceptors, or via focusing of the energy introduced. After cooling, the regions then solidified can be removed in the form of moldings from the powder bed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a three-dimensional powder-based production process using powders based on cyclic oligomers, and to moldings produced by this process.