Patent ID: 9114567
Filing Date: 2015-08-25
Classification: B22F,B23K,B28B,B29C,B33Y,C04B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for producing a three-dimensional object, the process comprising a) providing a layer of a pulverulent substrate comprises a polymer, wherein the pulverant substrate is a powder material which is not coated, wherein the polymer is a homo- or copolymer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetal, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polysulfone, polyarylene ether, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomers, polylactides, polyoxyalkylenes, poly(Nmethylmethacrylimides) (PMMI), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), ionomer, polyamide, copolyester, copolyamides, silicone polymers, terpolymers, acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS), and a mixture thereof, b) controlling the temperature of a manufacturing chamber by supplying heat to said layer to bring said layer to an elevated temperature or to maintain said layer at an elevated temperature below the melting or sintering temperature of the polymer in said pulverulent substrate, c) selectively applying an absorber in a suspension or a liquid absorber via an inkjet process to at least one region of the layer to be sintered, e) selectively melting the at least one region of the layer of the pulverulent substrate by applying electromagnetic energy via a laser of a wavelength from 100 to 3000 nm, f) cooling molten and non-molten regions obtained in e) to a temperature which allows formed moldings to be removed intact, and g) removing the moldings intact, thereby obtaining the three-dimensional object, wherein the selectively applying an absorber to the at least one region c) includes raising the temperature of the at least one region by preheating the absorber to a temperature higher than the temperature of the at least one region and applying the preheated absorber to the at least one region.