Abstract: A process for the production of moldings via a layer-by-layer process by selectively melting regions of one or more powder layers that contain cyclic oligomers and have a median grain diameter determined by laser diffraction of between 25 and 150 ?m via input of electromagnetic energy, and permitting the layers to solidify to provide a solid mass, where selectivity is achieved by applying one or more aids amongst the group of susceptors, inhibitors, absorbers, masks, and focusing of a laser beam.

Abstract: A molding produced by a layer-by layer process of selectively melting regions of a respective pulverulent layer via unfocused introduction of electromagnetic energy, using a polymer powder, where the powder has at least one thermoplastic random copolymer with an ISO 1133 MFR value of from 12 to 1 g/10 min.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite powder which comprises polymer powder and porous glass beads, and to the use of this composite powder for shaping processes, and also to mouldings produced from this composite powder.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process of producing moldings by a layer-by-layer process including selectively melting regions of a respective pulverulent layer via unfocused introduction of electromagnetic energy, using a polymer powder, wherein the powder includes at least one thermoplastic random copolymer with an ISO 1133 MFR value of from 12 to 1 gm/10 min.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite powder of polymer powder and porous glass beads, and to the use of this composite powder for shaping processes, and also to mouldings produced from this composite powder.

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: The present invention relates to a powder which, in addition to a polymer, comprises a flame retardant based on ammonium polyphosphate, to the use of this powder for the layer-by-layer production of moldings, and also to moldings produced from this powder. The moldings constructed using the inventive powder have marked advantages with regard to their flammability, when comparison is made with conventional products, and this permits use in aircraft, for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for melting and adhering material to produce three-dimensional objects by means of selective heating via microwave radiation. Unlike selective laser sintering, the present process uses simple microwave radiation commonly available in any household. The selectivity of heating is achieved by applying one or more susceptors to selected regions of a layer composed of a pulverulent substrate, and then heating the susceptor by means of microwave radiation. The heated susceptor transfers the energy present therein to a pulverulent substrate surrounding the susceptor, and the substrate is thereby melted, providing firm adhesion within the substrate after cooling.

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 mouldings 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 moulding can be removed from the powder bed. The mouldless 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: The present invention relates to a powder which, in addition to a polymer, comprises a flame retardant based on ammonium polyphosphate, to the use of this powder for the layer-by-layer production of moldings, and also to moldings produced from this powder. The moldings constructed using the inventive powder have marked advantages with regard to their flammability, when comparison is made with conventional products, and this permits use in aircraft, for example.

Abstract: The surface of a shaped article produced in a first step, for example by means of rapid prototyping, is subsequently decorated by a method for the production of a surface-decorated shaped article in which a) a shaped article is provided, and b) at least a portion of the surface of the shaped article is welded to a decorating film with incidence of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Moldings can be produced from a polymer powder containing at least one block polyetheramide containing an oligoamide dicarboxylic acid and a polyetheramine; wherein the powder is suitable for use in a layer-by-layer process in which regions of a powder layer are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A sinter powder containing a polyamide and metal soaps, in particular particles of a salt of an alkanemonocarboxylic acid. A process for laser sintering, and to moldings produced from the sinter powder. The moldings formed using the powder have advantages in appearance and in surface finish when recyclability in the selective laser sintering (SLS) process is taken into account. Moldings produced from recycled sinter powder have improved mechanical properties, in particular in the modulus of elasticity and tensile strain at break.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite powder of polymer powder and porous glass beads, and to the use of this composite powder for shaping processes, and also to mouldings produced from this composite powder.

Abstract: Two shaped articles A and B which are not directly weldable to one another can be welded to one another with the aid of a film C if the material of the first surface of this film is compatible with the material of the shaped article A and the material of the second surface of this film is compatible with the material of the shaped article B and if either the film C or a surface region in contact therewith absorbs electromagnetic radiation. The welding is carried out by brining the first surface of the film C into contact with the shaped article A and the second surface of the film C into contact with the shaped article B and inputting electromagnetic radiation.

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—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 composed of polyamide or of copolyamides, which also comprises flame retardant, in particular phosphonates, to a layer-by-layer process which selectively melts regions or selectively binds them, and also to moldings produced from this polymer powder. Compared with conventional products, the moldings constructed using the powder of the invention exhibit marked advantages in flammability and combustibility and drop behavior, particularly with respect to UL® (Underwriters Laboratories) classification. Furthermore, moldings produced from polymer powder of the invention have adequately good mechanical properties when compared with moldings based on polymer powders without flame retardant, in particular in terms of modulus of elasticity and tensile strain at break. In addition, these moldings also have a density close to that of injection moldings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the bonding of material for the production of three-dimensional objects by means of selective heating via electromagnetic energy which is either non-coherent and/or non-monochromatic and/or non-oriented, with a wavelength of from 100 nm to 1 mm. This radiation may be emitted in spot or linear form, or else in spread form. It is also possible to combine two or more sources of radiation in order to increase the speed of the process. 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 means of electromagnetic energy of wavelength from 100 nm to 1 mm. The heated absorber transfers the energy present therein to its surrounding pulverulent substrate, which is melted thereby and, after cooling, has firm cohesive bonding. The process is markedly more flexible, less expensive, and faster than conventional laser sintering.

Abstract: A process for production of a powder suitable for use in a process for the layer-by-layer moldless production of a three-dimensional shaped article, in which regions of the respective powder layer are selectively melted via input of electromagnetic energy, comprising mixing of a polymer or copolymer with at least one water-soluble polymeric polyol, the dissolution of the mixture in water to form a dispersion, the isolation of the polymer particles or copolymer particles from the dispersion, and the washing and drying of the isolated polymer particles or isolated copolymer particles; a powder which comprises a polymer powder or copolymer powder with from 0.001% by weight to 5% by weight content of at least one polymeric polyol, the polymeric polyol having been selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycols and polyvinyl alcohols; the powder formed from the process; method of using the powder; and a shaped article formed from the powder.