METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING PHOTOPOLYMERIZABLE COMPOSITIONS

• Main Authors: RAIA, Gioacchino, KORTEN, Malte
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 10.07.2024
• Subjects: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY; ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OFTHREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVEAGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING,STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL ORCHEMICAL PROCESSES; CENTRIFUGES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

The present disclosure provides methods including obtaining an insert comprising a sieve defining openings each having a diameter of 10 to 200 micrometers; placing a volume of a fluid containing a photopolymerizable composition and a contaminant in the insert; and subjecting the volume of the fluid to a centrifugal force to separate the contaminant from at least a portion of the photopolymerizable composition by retaining the contaminant in the insert and passing at least a portion the photopolymerizable composition through the sieve of the insert to provide a separated photopolymerizable composition. Systems are also provided, including an additive manufacturing apparatus, a centrifuge, and an insert configured to be inserted into the centrifuge. The methods and systems can advantageously assist in reclaiming photopolymerizable composition that has been contaminated, for reuse.