THERMOPLASTIC POWDER MATERIAL SYSTEM FOR APPEARANCE MODELS FROM 3D PRINTING SYSTEMS

摘要

The present invention is directed to a materials system and method that satisfies the need for a quick, reliable, safe, and inexpensive method for producing both appearance models and small numbers of functional parts in an office environment. The materials system includes thermoplastic particulate material, allowing the fabrication of appearance models and fonctional parts that are accurately defined, are strong and tough without being brittle, and have smooth surface finishes with, optionally, thin walls. Thermoplastic materials are used very widely for engineering and consumer products. These materials, therefore, are particularly attractive for prototyping, because they are typically also used in the final manufacturing method. In an aspect, the invention features a powder adapted for three-dimensional printing. The powder includes a blend of a thermoplastic particulate material, and an adhesive particulate material, with the adhesive particulate material being adapted to bond the thermoplastic particulate material when a fluid activates the adhesive particulate material.