BE1026781B1 - Method of manufacturing an object - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an object (1), wherein said object (1) is built up by means of the 3D printing technique, wherein said method comprises at least the following steps: - providing a filament (2); - melting part of the material of the aforementioned filament (2), preferably by extrusion; - depositing the molten material portion of said filament (2) to form at least a portion of said object; characterized in that said material portion of the filament (2) is colored before the depositing step is performed. The invention further relates to an object (1) obtained by means of such a method, as well as to a device for manufacturing such an object (1).

Description

Method of manufacturing an object.

This invention relates to a method for manufacturing an object, as well as to an object obtained according to this method and also to a device for building up this object. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing an object using the technology of 3D printing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method or technology using a filament, as is the case, for example, with Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technology and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology.

Such a method and associated device is known, for example, from US 2018/0 043 629 and WO 2016/140 420, in which a pre-colored filament is supplied, melted in a melting device and deposited in a depositing device by extrusion. The color of the formed object is equal to the color of the filament. The drawback of these devices is the fact that the object obtained shows only one uniform color.

From the KR 10-2018-0001340 and the KR 10-2016-0016985, a device is known which uses two or more differently colored filaments. The filaments can be supplied independently of each other, melted in a melting device and deposited in a depositing device, each via its own supply line. The obtained object can be constructed in such a way that it shows the individual colors of the different filaments. The drawback is that these devices are complex and the number of colors of the object is limited to the number of filaments that can be used. In addition, it is not particularly practical to work with a large number of colors.

US 2018/0 022 027 discloses a device comprising two or more filament supply lines, one melting device and a depositing device. The filaments each have a specific color and depending on the requested color for the object, a corresponding amount of one or more filaments is fused and

BE2018 / 5791 mixed in the melting machine. The ability to mix material of differently colored filaments in the melter allows for a wide range of colors. The drawback is that several filaments have to be supplied, which makes the device complex.

US 2015/0 375 451 discloses a device that uses a coloring device, a melting device and a depositing device, wherein one or more dyes are added to a melted material part of a white filament in the melting device or just after the melting device and before the depositor, wherein the dyes can be mixed before being added or in which the dyes can be added separately and mixed in the melter or in the depositor. Two or more dye reservoirs are provided. This way of working has the drawback that obtaining an exact, predetermined color is complex and difficult to control. Another drawback of this mode of operation is that mixing dyes in the melting device or after the melting device and before the depositing device can cause contamination of the device, making smooth color changeover difficult.

WO 2018/099 307 discloses an apparatus consisting of both a 3D printer and an inkjet printer. In the 3D printer, a neutral colored filament, for example a transparent or white filament, is melted and deposited by extrusion layer by layer, after which a layer has been deposited, this layer is colored by means of inkjet printing with the inkjet printer before the next layer is deposited. During the coloring of a layer of material with the inkjet printer, the deposition process, for example the extrusion process, of the 3D printer is stopped to allow the coloring. The uniformity and quality of the object obtained can be compromised by interrupting the deposition process, for example the extrusion process. A further drawback is that the maximum width of the deposition is determined by the width of the inkjet printhead.

The invention contemplates an alternative method for manufacturing an object, in which a solution can be achieved according to various preferred embodiments

BE2018 / 5791 are addressed for one or more of the problems with the prior art methods.

To this end, the invention according to its first independent aspect relates to a method for manufacturing an object, wherein said object is built up by means of the 3D printing technique, wherein said method comprises at least the following steps

- providing a filament;

- melting part of the material of the aforementioned filament;

depositing the molten material portion of said filament to form at least a portion of said object, preferably by extrusion, in which said filament material portion is colored before the melting step is performed. For the purposes of the present invention, "filament" is understood to mean an elongated material, such as a wire or a rod, that is at least twice the diameter of the largest circumscribed circle of the cross-section.

Because the aforementioned material part of the filament is colored before the melting step is carried out, the colors can be obtained in a simple and accurate manner. Furthermore, nuances such as color saturation and color intensity can be accurately obtained, and fouling contamination can be reduced. Color saturation is a measure of a color's vibrancy: low saturation produces gray, faded colors, while high saturation produces vibrant colors. A saturation of 0% gives a gray color. The color intensity, also known as brightness, is a measure of the lightness and darkness of a color, for example, light green vs. dark green.

The aforementioned filament can preferably be provided as a filament on a roll or bobbin, whereby the filament can be fed in a continuous or quasi-continuous manner. Alternatively, the aforementioned filament may provide

BE2018 / 5791 as a unit, for example, rod-shaped, of limited length, for example, a length of 0.5 cm to 100 cm, such as, for example, 1 cm to 50 cm, or 5 cm to 20 cm, with the filament being fed through one after the other unit.

The aforementioned coloring preferably comprises at least applying a dye. Preferably, the aforementioned dye can be selected at least from the list of reactive dye, acid dye and dispersion dye.

The aforementioned dye may comprise or be free of pigments. A pigment based dye can include organic pigments and / or inorganic pigments. A pigment-free dye preferably comprises water-soluble dye molecules, for example organic dye molecules, which can stain an object, for example a filament, from a solution, dispersion or suspension.

The dye can be a paint. Preferably, the paint contains pigments.

For example, the dye can be an ink. Preferably, the ink contains pigments. Preferably, said coloring involves applying at least one ink selected from the list of solvent-based ink, water-based ink, and UV curable ink, said ink preferably comprising pigments. It is noted that in the case of a UV curable ink, the UV curve of the applied ink can be applied to the filament or to the built-up object. When the UV cure of the applied ink is performed on the filament, it can be done after the coloring step and before the melting step, and / or after the melting step and before the depositing step.

In the rest of the text, the term dye may refer to a paint, for example a paint comprising at least pigments, and / or an ink, for example an ink comprising at least pigments.

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The aforementioned coloring preferably comprises at least applying a dye to the surface of the filament concerned. Applying a dye to the surface of the filament preferably involves adhering the dye to the surface of the filament. The aforementioned adhesion of the dye to the surface of the relevant filament can be obtained via adsorption, the formation of one or more bonds, for example a covalent bond and / or a hydrogen bond bond.

The aforementioned coloring may include applying a dye to the core of the filament. The application of a dye to the core of the filament can be achieved by penetration, diffusion or absorption of the dye through the filament. For example, the filament can be constructed as an open cell structure. Preferably, the open cell structure comprises channels extending from the surface of the filament to the core of the filament. An open cell structure can easily allow penetration of the dye into the core of the filament.

Preferably, at least one additive is added to the respective material portion of the filament during coloring. The additive in question may be a surface tension reducing agent, an adhesion promoter, a UV stabilizer, a plasticizer, a reinforcing element, a hard particle, or combinations thereof.

Preferably, the aforementioned step of coloring takes place with digital inkjet printing or digital valve jet printing. The aforementioned coloring step can alternatively be done by spraying or with a licking roll.

Preferably, the step of coloring the material portion of the filament is performed in a coloring device. Preferably, the coloring device comprises at least one application device for applying the dye to the filament and / or one or more compartments for storing a dye. Preferably, the applicator includes a nozzle head with multiple nozzles. Preferably, the respective dye storage compartment is one

BE2018 / 5791 dye reservoir. Preferably, the coloring device comprises at least one supply line from the respective dye reservoir to the application device.

Preferably, the applicator is a nozzle head with one or more nozzles, as is the case with an inkjet printer. Preferably, the respective dye reservoir can be coupled to the application device via a supply line and possibly at least one valve, as is the case with a so-called valve jet printer.

Preferably at least one dye reservoir is provided from which the dye can be supplied to the filament. Preferably, several dye reservoirs are provided, for example at least four reservoirs. If at least four dye reservoirs are provided, a CMYK dye set can be used (cyan, magenta, yellow and key / black). For example, if five dye reservoirs are provided, a CMYK dye set may be used, and the fifth reservoir may contain another, for example, white dye or a spot color dye.

The coloring step may comprise supplying an amount of dye from each dye reservoir to the applicator, with each dye being applied separately to the filament. The separately applied dyes are mixed during the step of melting the material portion of the filament.

According to an alternative method, the coloring step may comprise supplying an amount of dye from each dye reservoir to the applicator, the dyes being mixed in the applicator before being applied to the filament.

Preferably, a design device receives design information from the object to be obtained, wherein the design device converts the design information into a print pattern. Preferably a central processing unit (Eng. Central processing unit, abbreviated as CPU) is provided. Preferably, the CPU is coupled to the design device. Preferably, the CPU receives the aforementioned print cartridge from the design device.

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Preferably, the dye supply lines do not include a valve and the connection between the respective dye reservoir and the applicator is open. The viscosity of the dye, for example a pigment-based ink, should be sufficiently high that the dye does not flow automatically from the reservoir to the applicator. Preferably, the CPU is coupled to at least one dye supply line, and preferably to all supply lines. The CPU can convert the print pattern into signals that apply an impulse, such as a pressure, to the coupled supply line so that at any time the correct amount of each dye can be supplied from the respective dye reservoir to the applicator.

Alternatively, each dye supply line from the respective dye reservoir to the applicator may include a valve. Preferably, the CPU is coupled to at least one valve, and preferably to all valves. The CPU can convert the print pattern into signals that allow to open and / or close each valve individually. Because each valve can be opened and / or closed individually, the correct amount of each dye can be supplied to the applicator at any time.

Furthermore, at least an intermediate treatment can be carried out after the aforementioned coloring step and before the aforementioned melting step, wherein the intermediate treatment in question may be a drying step and / or a curing step. Preferably, the curing step is a UV cure, an LED cure and / or an electron beam (EB) cure. The aforementioned drying step can be performed, for example, to remove at least excess moisture from the filament and / or from the dye. Too high a moisture content can complicate the aforementioned melting step and / or the aforementioned depositing step. The relevant drying step can for instance be carried out with heat and / or with IR radiation. For example, the aforementioned curing step may allow at least a better fixation of the dye to the filament and / or allow excess moisture to be removed from the filament and / or from the dye.

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Furthermore, at least a pre-treatment of the relevant filament can be carried out before the coloring step, wherein the relevant pre-treatment is a drying step, a corona treatment, an atmospheric plasma treatment and / or the application of one or more primers, plasticizers, cationic products, and / or polymers with / without inorganic particles. For example, the pretreatment can be performed at least to prepare the filament for the staining step. For example, the pretreatment can be performed at least to improve the adhesion or adhesion of the dye to the filament during and / or after the dyeing step, and / or at least to remove impurities on the filament surface and / or at least to increase the moisture content in reduce the filament.

Preferably, the pretreatment comprises at least one drying step. When the pretreatment comprises a drying step, the moisture content of the filament can be reduced. A reduced moisture content of the filament can ensure that the dye in question can be better absorbed by the filament and / or that the dye in question can adhere better to the filament.

Preferably, the aforementioned pre-treatment comprises at least one rinsing step and / or a washing step, in which impurities, for example dust or residue from the production process of the filament, can be removed on the filament surface. Preferably, the aforementioned pre-treatment comprises at least applying a primer. Preferably, the aforementioned pretreatment comprises at least one corona treatment.

Preferably, the aforementioned pretreatment comprises at least an atmospheric plasma treatment. The application of a primer, a corona treatment and / or an atmospheric plasma treatment can improve the adhesion of the dye to the filament in the coloring step. When the pretreatment is a corona treatment and / or an atmospheric plasma treatment, certain functional groups can be obtained on the filament surface. In addition, an atmospheric plasma treatment can also include cleaning the filament surface.

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Preferably, the filament is a thermoplastic polymer. A thermoplastic polymer can be one or more of the following polymers: a polyolefin, polyester (PES), polyamide (PA), polylactic acid (PLA - polylactic acid), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). For example, a polyolefin polymer can be polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or combinations thereof. PES polymer can be, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The PES polymer can be virgin PES polymer, recycled PES polymer, or a mixture of virgin PES polymer and recycled PES polymer. In particular, the PET polymer can be virgin PET polymer, recycled PET polymer, or a mixture of virgin PET polymer and recycled PET polymer. The recycled PET polymer can originate in PET bottles. PA polymer can be, for example, PA PA6, PA6-6, PA10, PA12, or combinations thereof.

The aforementioned filament may be filled with cellulose-based particles and / or mineral particles. The cellulose-based particles and / or mineral particles in the filament can give the object of the invention additional properties over an object made with a filament that is not filled with cellulose-based particles and / or mineral particles. The additional properties can be, for example, without being limited thereto: an increased hardness, increased density, increased abrasion resistance, increased cut resistance, increased wear resistance.

Preferably, the filament exhibits a base color, such as white, which is preferably uniform at least across the filament cross-section, and preferably also along the entire length of the filament. The filament may also have a base color other than white. A filament in a base color other than white can be used when an object is manufactured that exhibits colors that vary in saturation and / or intensity of a base color, but have the same hue. For example, when the filament is green, an object can display colors ranging from drab green to bright green (variation in saturation) and / or from pale green to dark green (variation in intensity).

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The filament can be completely transparent, translucent or completely opaque. When working with fully or partly transparent filaments, the built-up object may have corresponding transparent parts.

The aforementioned filament can be executed in various possible ways, of which some important options are listed below without wishing to be exhaustive.

According to a first possibility, the cross section of the filament is circular. In such a case, an easily tintable surface is obtained in the form of the jacket surface of the relevant filament. Obviously, when the cross section of the filament is oval, a similar advantage is achieved.

According to a second possibility, the cross section is substantially circular or oval and includes at least one recess. Preferably, the cross-section concerned comprises at least two recesses, for example three, four or five recesses. Preferably, the respective recess is provided to be completely or partially filled with dye during the coloring step. Preferably, the amount of dye applied to the respective recess can be varied during the coloring step, for example so that the respective recess is sometimes completely filled, and then partly. Alternatively or additionally, the respective recess may be provided to be filled with an additive, preferably with an additive as mentioned above. For example, when using a set of CMYK + W dyes (cyan magenta yellow black + white) during the staining step, the cross section may include at least five recesses. Preferably, the respective recesses are provided to be filled during the coloring step, for example one recess per dye. Preferably, the amount of dye applied to the respective recesses can be varied during the coloring step. When the amount of each dye applied can be varied, all possible hues, degrees of intensity and degrees of saturation can be obtained.

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According to a third possibility, the cross section of the filament can be polygonal. Preferably, the polygonal cross-section of the filament is a cross-section that includes at least three angles, and is, for example, triangular, quadrangular or pentagonal. According to an important embodiment, the cross section is rectangular, with one pair of sides being significantly longer, for example more than three times or even more than ten times longer, than the other pair of sides. According to this embodiment, a ribbon-shaped filament can be obtained with easy-to-color surfaces and a limited thickness, which does not necessarily have to be colored, since it contributes little to the final color obtained after the step of melting the colored part of the ribbon-shaped filament .

According to a fourth possibility, the cross section of the filament can be a cross section with lobes. Preferably, the cross section with lobes is a cross section with at least two lobes. Preferably, the lobed cross section is a cross section with at least three lobes, for example, a three-lobed cross-section, a four-lobed cross-section, or a five-lobed cross-section.

According to a special embodiment, in the context of the invention, at least two filaments are supplied and colored, the filaments in question preferably being melted together after they have been colored. By working with multiple filaments, it can at least be achieved that more dye per volume and / or weight of filament can be provided than when one filament with a larger diameter is supplied, because for the same volume and / or weight of filament the surface on which dye is can be applied is larger when at least two filaments are supplied. By supplying at least two filaments instead of one filament with a larger diameter, objects can be obtained that show at least one color with a high saturation and / or a higher intensity, and / or an improved uniformity compared to the same volume and / or weight of filament fed as one larger diameter filament.

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In the above particularly preferred embodiment, the base material of both aforementioned filaments is preferably substantially the same thermoplastic polymer. According to an alternative embodiment, special effects can be achieved when filaments of different polymers are used. When filaments of different polymers are used, an object can be obtained which is at least a composite and / or composed of a copolymer, the object obtained preferably exhibiting properties of the polymers from which both aforementioned filaments are built, for example, without limiting to be specific flexibility, hardness, wear resistance, and / or fire resistance. When filaments of different polymers are used, an object can be obtained that includes at least regions that exhibit different properties, the properties coming from the different polymers.

The aforementioned filaments of the above particular embodiment can be colored in mutually equal color tone, saturation and / or intensity or in mutually different color tone, saturation and / or intensity, whereby a homogeneous color is obtained in the step of melting by mixing.

Both aforementioned filaments of the above particular embodiment can be supplied and colored without there being one or more contact surfaces between the filaments. When the aforementioned filaments are colored in a mutually different hue, saturation and / or intensity, the filaments are preferably supplied and colored without any contact surfaces between the filaments. According to an alternative embodiment, both of the aforementioned filaments of the above particular embodiment can be supplied and colored, whereby there are one or more contact surfaces between the filaments, for instance because the filaments are entwined during the feeding, for example twisted and / or twisted.

The color transitions in the object produced by the method according to the invention can be gradual and / or sharp. A sharp color transition is a transition in which at two neighboring positions the colors that the object exhibits are one

BE2018 / 5791 show differences in hue, saturation and / or intensity that can be seen with the naked eye. A gradual color transition is a transition over several neighboring positions where the colors displayed by the object show a difference in hue, saturation and / or intensity that cannot be seen with the naked eye for two neighboring positions, but that over the aforementioned multiple neighboring positions. positions together exhibit a change in hue, saturation and / or intensity that can be seen with the naked eye. Neighboring positions means positions that are no more than 1 millimeter apart, for example, 0.75 millimeter or 0.5 millimeter. By multiple adjacent positions is meant at least three positions with the first and second and second and third positions respectively being adjacent, for example three positions side by side. It is clear to those skilled in the art that perceptible to the naked eye is meant Delta E values that are less than or equal to 1, measured according to the CIELAB principle. Depending on the design of the object to be obtained, certain color transitions may be sharply delineated and other color transitions may be gradual, or all color transitions may be sharp, or all color transitions may be gradual.

For example, the aforementioned material portions of the filament which include a gradual color transition can be obtained as a result of parts of filament which are dyed with the remainder of a first dye and with the beginning of the next dye during the coloring step. When a sharp color transition is desired according to the design, the aforementioned material parts may therefore not display the correct color tone, saturation and / or intensity. The aforementioned material parts with the incorrect color can be deposited so that they are not part of the object or can be deposited in places which, after the object has been manufactured, are no longer or barely visible.

Getting rid of filaments with an undesired color can be put into practice according to various embodiments. According to a first embodiment, during the depositing step, the aforementioned incorrectly colored material portions may be deposited at a position internal to the object or to an internal surface of the object, for example as

BE2018 / 5791 part of an internal structural element, such as a reinforcing rib, or on the inner surface of a recess, preferably such that they are hardly visible in the final object. According to a second embodiment, during the step of depositing, the aforementioned material parts of the incorrect color can be deposited at positions which are not part of the object to be manufactured, for instance at a location specially provided for this purpose.

Furthermore, at least a post-treatment can be carried out after the depositing step. Preferably, the aforementioned post-treatment comprises a drying step, a steaming step, and / or a washing step. The aforementioned post-treatment can be performed immediately after deposition of a material portion of the filament on the aforementioned material portion of the filament, or, in the case of a layered build-up, after each layer being deposited, and / or after the full step of depositing. the object, on the final object.

Preferably, the aforementioned post-treatment is carried out on the object concerned after the step of depositing. The aforementioned after-treatment may be intended to at least fix the dye and / or to remove unwanted material. The aforementioned fixing of the dye can for instance take place by means of a drying step. Preferably, the relevant drying step is performed by heating the object. For example, the object can be heated to a temperature between 40 ° C and 120 ° C for a period of 5 minutes to 60 minutes. The combination of temperature and drying time is determined, among other things, by the object and its dimensions and shape, by the composition of the filament, and by the composition of the dyes.

Preferably, at least two post-treatments are performed after the depositing step, wherein the first post-treatment can fix the dye, for example, and the second post-treatment can be, for example, a washing step.

Preferably, the aforementioned post-treatment comprises at least two washing steps. The aforementioned washing steps are preferably performed at a different temperature. The aforementioned washing steps can for instance be carried out with

BE2018 / 5791 the same detergent or with a different detergent. Preferably, at least one washing step of the aforementioned washing steps is carried out without detergent. Preferably, a drying step is performed after the aforementioned washing step or the aforementioned washing steps. Preferably, the relevant drying step is performed by heating the object. For example, the object can be heated to a temperature between 40 ° C and 120 ° C for a period of 5 minutes to 60 minutes. The combination of temperature and drying time is determined, among other things, by the object and its dimensions and shape, by the composition of the filament, and by the composition of the dyes.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to an object built up by means of the technique of 3D printing. The object may be an object obtained by a method having the features of the first independent aspect of the invention. The object can be a 3D object. The advantage of an object obtained by a method according to the first independent aspect of the invention is that an accurate design and an infinite number of designs are possible because the filament is colored before the melting step.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a device for manufacturing an object, wherein the device in question is suitable or configured for carrying out a method according to the first independent aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth, independent aspect, the invention relates to a device for manufacturing an object, wherein the object in question is manufactured by means of the technique of 3D printing, wherein the aforementioned device comprises at least the following parts:

- a feeding device for providing a filament;

- a melting device for melting part of the material of the aforementioned filament;

- a depositing device for depositing the molten material to form at least a portion of the aforementioned object, preferably by extrusion,

BE2018 / 5791 wherein the device in question further comprises a coloring device for coloring the above-mentioned material part of the filament, the respective coloring device being located in flow-through of the filament, the relevant melting device.

The advantage of a device in which the respective coloring device is located in front of the relevant melting device is that dye can be accurately applied to the filament because the amount of each dye can be precisely measured in function of the design of the object to be manufactured, the design information of the object to be manufactured and / or the pattern of the object to be manufactured.

Preferably, the depositing device comprises at least one nozzle for 3D printing the aforementioned object. When higher speeds or wider depositions are desired, the depositor may include multiple nozzles, for example, two, three, four, five, or ten nozzles.

According to a further embodiment of the device according to the fourth, independent aspect of the invention, the device in question may comprise at least one of the following additional parts:

- compartment for the storage of the aforementioned filament;

- Design device for reading in the design information;

- Central processing unit for controlling the coloring device;

- One or more compartments for storing a dye;

- Carrier plate on which the depositing device is active.

The storage compartment for said filament may comprise a filament on a roll, a holder or a bobbin. A filament on a roll, a holder or a bobbin allows the filament to be fed in a continuous or quasi-continuous manner to the aforementioned coloring device.

The device preferably comprises a design device for reading in the design information. The design information can be entered manually or read in

BE2018 / 5791 from a carrier, for example from a computer. The design device preferably converts the design information into a print pattern.

Preferably, the device comprises a central processing unit (CPU) for controlling the staining device. Preferably, the CPU receives the print pattern from the design device.

Preferably, the device comprises one or more compartments for storing a dye. Preferably, the respective dye storage compartment is a dye reservoir. Preferably, the said dye reservoir is connected via a supply line to an applicator for the aforementioned coloring step.

Preferably, the dye supply lines do not include a valve and the connection between the respective dye reservoir and the applicator is open. The viscosity of the dye should be sufficiently high that the dye cannot flow naturally from the reservoir to the applicator. Preferably, the CPU is coupled to at least one dye supply line, and preferably to all supply lines. The CPU can convert the print pattern into signals that apply an impulse, such as a pressure, to the coupled supply line so that at any time the correct amount of each dye can be supplied from the respective dye reservoir to the applicator.

Alternatively, each dye supply line from the respective dye reservoir to the applicator may include a valve. Preferably, the CPU is coupled to at least one valve, and preferably to all valves. The CPU can convert the print pattern into signals that allow to open and / or close each valve individually. Because each valve can be opened and / or closed individually, the correct amount of each dye can be supplied to the applicator at any time.

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Preferably the device comprises a carrier plate on which the depositing device is active. The carrier plate is a plate on which the object according to the invention is deposited. The carrier plate preferably comprises at least one perforation.

The aforementioned carrier plate can be made static or dynamic relative to the depositing device. When the carrier plate is of a static design, the carrier plate has a fixed position relative to the depositing device. When the carrier plate is formed dynamically, the carrier plate can move in the z direction relative to the depositor, or move in the xy plane of the carrier plate, or move in x, y, z direction relative to the depositor and carrier plate .

The aforementioned depositing device, in particular the optional nozzle, can be made static or dynamic relative to the carrier plate. When the depositing device, in particular the optional nozzle, is of a static design, the depositing device, in particular the optional nozzle, has a fixed position relative to the carrier plate. When the depositing device, in particular the optional nozzle, is made dynamic, the depositing device, more particularly the optional nozzle, can move in z-direction with respect to the carrier plate, or move in the xy-plane of the carrier plate, or move in x, y, z direction relative to the depositing device, more particularly the possible nozzle, and the carrier plate.

In a first embodiment, the aforementioned depositing device, in particular the optional nozzle, can move in x, y, z direction relative to the aforementioned carrier plate which has a fixed position.

In a second embodiment, the aforementioned depositing device, more particularly the optional nozzle, can have a fixed position and the aforementioned carrier plate can move in x, y, z direction relative to the respective depositing device, or nozzle.

In a further embodiment, the aforementioned depositing device, in particular the optional nozzle, can move in z direction relative to the aforementioned

BE2018 / 5791 carrier plate and can move the respective carrier plate in the x, y plane relative to the respective depositing device, or nozzle.

The independent and dependent claims describe particular and preferred aspects of the invention. Aspects of the dependent claims may be combined with aspects of the independent and other dependent claims, and / or with aspects as described above and / or below.

With the insight to better demonstrate the features of the invention, some preferred embodiments are described below, by way of example without any limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a method according to the invention;

figure 2 shows a variant schematic representation of a method according to the invention;

figures 3 to 6 show schematic representations of a coloring device according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows the cross section of a colored filament;

Figures 8 to 14 show variant cross-sections of a colored filament on the same scale as Figure 7;

Figures 15 and 16 show, on the same scale as Figure 7, a variant embodiment of the cross-section of Figures 7 to 14.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a method of manufacturing an object 1 according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the object 1 is constructed using the 3D printing technique. A filament 2 is supplied from the feeding device 3 and is supplied in a direction indicated by arrows 4 to a coloring device 5. In the coloring device 5, the step of coloring a material part of the filament 2 takes place. After this, the colored material part of the filament 2 delivered to a melting device 6 where the colored filament 2 is melted. It

BE2018 / 5791 fused part of the material of the filament 2 is supplied to a depositing device 7. In this example, the depositing device 7 is provided with extrusion means 8, for example rotating components. By extrusion, the filament 2 is deposited through a nozzle 9 on a support plate 10. After the step of depositing the filament 2, the deposited material cools and solidifies. An object 1 is thus manufactured. In this case, the nozzle 9 can move in the x, y, z direction, indicated by X, Y and Z, relative to the carrier plate 10 which has a fixed position.

Figure 2 shows a variant of the schematic representation of Figure 1, wherein after the step of coloring a material part of the filament 2 in the coloring device 5 and before the step of melting the colored filament in the melting device 6, an intermediate treatment of the filament is done in an intermediate device 11. The intermediate treatment can, for example, be a UV cure in the case that the dye for coloring is a UV curable ink.

Figures 3 and 4 show a schematic representation of a coloring device 5 according to the invention. The coloring device 5 comprises a plurality of dye reservoirs, in this case five dye reservoirs 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, for example for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black and white. All dye reservoirs 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 have an, in this case, open supply line 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 to supply dye from their respective dye reservoir 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 to an applicator 22 in directions 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, respectively. The viscosity of the dye in this case is sufficiently high to avoid transport of the dye from the dye reservoir 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 to the applicator 22 in the absence. from an external impulse. A CPU 28 is coupled to all supply lines 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and receives a print pattern from a design device 29. The design device 29 generates the print pattern based on design information. The CPU 28 converts the print pattern into signals that give an impulse so that the correct amount of dye is supplied from each dye reservoir 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 via the supply line 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 to the applicator 22.

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Figure 3 shows a colorant 5 in which the individual dyes are mixed in the applicator 22 before coloring the filament 2 and in which the dye is applied as a spot dye.

Figure 4 shows a colorant 5 in which the individual dyes are not mixed in the applicator 22 before coloring the filament. The dyes are deposited separately on the filament 2, and will mix in the melting step in the melter 6.

Figures 5 and 6 show a schematic representation of a variant of the coloring device 5 of Figures 3 and 4, respectively, each supply line 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 being provided with a valve 30, 31, 32, 33, 34. CPU 28 is coupled to all valves 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and receives a print pattern from a design device 29. Design device 29 generates the print pattern based on design information. The CPU 28 converts the print pattern into signals that can open and / or close valves 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 so that the correct amount of dye is supplied from each dye reservoir 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 via the appropriate supply line 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 to the applicator 22.

Figure 5 shows a colorant 5 in which the individual dyes are mixed in the applicator 22 before coloring the filament 2 and in which the dye is applied as a spot dye.

Figure 6 shows a colorant 5 in which the individual dyes are not mixed in the applicator 22 before coloring the filament. The dyes are deposited separately on the filament 2, and will mix in the melting step in the melter 6.

Figure 7 shows a cross section of a filament 2 after the staining step. The filament 2 has a round cross section. The filament 2 is dyed with a single dye 35. During the dyeing step, the dye 35 is obtained by mixing the different dyes in the applicator 22 before the dye 35 is applied to the filament 2, for example the applicator 22 of the dye 5 of Figures 3 and 5. The dye 35 is applied over the entire sheath surface 36 of the filament 2. The thickness D of the applied

BE2018 / 5791 Dye 35 can be varied and is determined by the saturation of the color and by the intensity of the color.

Figure 8 shows a variant of the cross section of the filament 2 of Figure 7 after the staining step. The filament 2 has a round cross section. The filament 2 is stained with a single dye 37. During the staining step, the dye 37 is obtained by mixing the different dyes in the applicator 22 before the dye 37 is applied to the filament 2, for example the applicator 22 of the dye 5 of Figures 3 and 5. The dye 37 is applied in at least two, in this case five, positions along the sheath surface 36 of the filament 2. Along the length of the filament 2, the applied dye 37 is visible as a ridge. The amount of dye 35 can be varied by depositing ridges with a smaller or larger cross section and / or more or less ridges.

Figure 9 shows a further variant of the cross-section of the filament 2 of Figure 7 after the coloring step. The filament 2 has a round cross section with at least one recess, in this case five recesses. The recesses can be partially or completely filled with colorant and / or additives. The height Hof fill varies from 0% (not filled) to 100% (completely filled). H1 is the fill height for the first cutout, H2 is the fill height for the second cutout, and so on. In this case, all five recesses are completely filled - H1 = H2 = H3 = H4 = H5 = 100% - with the same dye 38. During the coloring step, the dye 38 is obtained by mixing the different dyes in the applicator 22 before the dye 38 is applied to the filament 2, for example the applicator 22 of the dye 5 of Figures 3 and 5.

Figure 10 shows a further variant of the cross-section of the filament 2 of Figure 7 after the coloring step. The filament 2 has a round cross section and is constructed as an open cell structure. The open cell structure includes channels extending from the sheath surface 36 of the filament 2 to the core of the filament. During the coloring step, the dye 39 penetrates the filament

BE2018 / 5791 the channels. The filament 2 is stained with a single dye 39. During the staining step, the dye 39 is obtained by mixing the different dyes in the applicator 22 before the dye 39 is applied to the filament 2, for example the applicator 22 of the dye 5 of Figures 3 and 5.

Figure 11 shows a further variant of the cross-section of the filament 2 of Figure 7 after the coloring step. The filament 2 has a round cross section. During the coloring step, the dyes, in this case five dyes 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, are applied separately from the applicator 22, for example an applicator 22 as described in Figures 4 and 6, and the dyes 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 mix during the step of melting the filament 2 so that a uniform color is obtained. Based on the print pattern, the correct amount of each dye 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 is applied separately to the filament 2. In this case, the first dye 40 is applied as a layer of thickness D40 over the entire sheath surface 36 of the filament 2. The second dye is applied as a layer of thickness D41 over the entire outer surface of the first dye 40. The third 42, respectively. fourth 43 and fifth 44 dye is applied as a layer with respective thicknesses D42, D43, D44 over the entire outer surface of the second 41, respectively. third 42 and fourth 43 dye.

Figure 12 shows a cross sectional variation of the filament 2 of Figure 11 after the staining step. The filament 2 has a round cross section. During the coloring step, the dyes, in this case five dyes 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, are applied separately from the applicator 22, for example an applicator 22 as described in Figures 4 and 6, and the dyes 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 mix during the step of melting the filament 2 so that a uniform color is obtained. Based on the print pattern, the correct amount of each dye 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 is applied separately to the filament 2. Each dye 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 is applied at a number of positions along the sheath surface 36 of the filament 2. In this case, each dye 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 is applied in a single position along the sheath surface of the filament. Along the length of the filament 2, the applied dye is 45,

BE2018 / 5791

46, 47, 48, 49 visible as a ridge. The amount of dye 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 can be varied by depositing ridges of smaller or larger cross section and / or more or less ridges.

Figure 13 shows a cross-sectional variation of the filament 2 of Figure 12 after the staining step. Filament 50 has a three-lobed cross-section where the dye can be applied in any recess between two adjacent lobes. In the case of a three-lobed structure, there are three recesses. It is possible to partially or completely fill a recess with a dye 51 obtained during the coloring step by mixing the different dyes in the applicator 22 before the dye 51 is applied to the filament 50, for example the applicator 22 of the coloring device 5 of figures 3 and 5. The other two recesses can for instance be filled partly or completely, in this case partly, with an additive 52, 53.

Figure 14 shows a further variant of the cross section of the filament 2 of Figure 9 after the staining step. The filament 2 has a round cross section with at least one recess, in this case five recesses. The recesses can be partially or completely filled with colorant and / or additives, in this case with five colorants 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 which have been applied separately from the applicator 22, for example an applicator 22 as described in figures 4 and 6 The dyes 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 will mix during the step of melting the filament 2 to obtain a uniform color. In this case, one recess is completely filled with dye 54, and the other recesses are partly filled with dyes 55, 56, 57, 58.

Figure 15 shows a variant embodiment in which two or more filaments, in this case seven filaments 59, have been supplied and are colored. The filaments 59 have a round cross section. The filaments 59 are constructed from the same thermoplastic polymer. The filaments 59 have the same diameter. The filaments 59 are dyed with a dye 60 which is the same dye 60 for all filaments 59. During the coloring step, the dye 60 is obtained by mixing the different dyes in the applicator 22 before the dye 60

BE2018 / 5791 is applied to the filaments 59, for example the application device 22 of the coloring device 5 of Figures 3 and 5. In this case, the dye 60 is applied over the entire jacket surface of the filaments 59. The thickness T of layer of dye 59 can be varied from filament to filament. In this case, the thickness T of the layer of dye 60 of each filament 59 is equal.

Figure 16 shows a variant multi-filament embodiment of Figure 15. In this case, five filaments 61 are supplied and colored. The filaments 61 have a round cross section. Filaments 61 are constructed from the same thermoplastic polymer. The filaments 61 have the same diameter. The filaments 61 in this case are dyed with dyes which are applied separately, one dye per filament 61, from the applicator 22, for example an applicator 22 as described in Figures 4 and 6. The dyes will mix during the melting step. filament 2 so that a uniform color is obtained. In this case, based on the print pattern, one of the dyes is not applied, and the dyes 62, 63, 64, 65 are applied in different amounts. In this case, the dyes 62, 63, 64, 65 are applied over the entire jacket surface of the filaments 61, and the dye 66, if applied, is also applied over the entire jacket surface of the filament 61.

Claims (22)

Conclusions. 1 .- A method of manufacturing an object (1), wherein said object (1) is built up by means of the 3D printing technique, said method comprising at least the following steps: - providing a filament (2); - melting part of the material of the aforementioned filament (2); - depositing the molten material portion of said filament (2) to form at least a portion of said object (1), preferably by extrusion; characterized in that said material portion of the filament (2) is colored before the melting step is performed. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said coloring comprises applying at least one dye selected from the list of reactive dye, acid dye and dispersion dye. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the above-mentioned coloring takes place on the basis of a dye comprising pigments. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coloring comprises applying at least one ink selected from the list of solvent-based ink, water-based ink, and / or UV-curable ink, wherein the aforementioned ink preferably includes color pigments. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one additive is added to the aforementioned material portion of the filament (2) during the aforementioned coloring. 6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said step of coloring takes place with digital inkjet printing. BE2018 / 5791 Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an intermediate treatment is carried out after coloring and before melting, said intermediate treatment being a drying step and / or a curing step, such as, for example, a UV cure, an LED cure and / or an electron beam (EB) cure. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one pretreatment of said filament (2) is carried out before the coloring step, said pretreatment being a drying step, a corona treatment, an atmospheric plasma treatment, and / or applying one or more primers, plasticizers, cationic products, and / or polymers with / without inorganic particles. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filament (2) is a thermoplastic polymer. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the filament (2) is further filled with cellulose-based particles and / or mineral particles. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two filaments (59) are supplied and colored, wherein said filaments (59) are preferably melted together after they have been colored. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the base material of the aforementioned filaments (59) is essentially the same thermoplastic polymer. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that said filaments (59) are colored in a mutually different color tone, saturation and / or intensity, whereby a homogeneous color is obtained in the step of melting by mixing. BE2018 / 5791 Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one post-treatment is carried out after the depositing step. Object (1) obtained by means of a method with the features of one of the preceding claims. Device for manufacturing an object (1), wherein said device is suitable or configured for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 14. 17 .- Apparatus for manufacturing an object (1), said object (1) being manufactured by means of the 3D printing technique, said device comprising at least the following parts: - a feed device (3) for providing a filament (2); - a melting device (6) for melting part of the material of the aforementioned filament (2); - a depositing device (8) for depositing the molten material to form at least a part of said object (1), preferably by extrusion; characterized in that the respective device further comprises a coloring device (5) for coloring the said material portion of the filament (2), the said coloring device (5) being in flow-through of the filament (2) for the aforementioned melting device (6 ). Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the depositing device comprises at least one nozzle (9) for 3D printing the aforementioned object (1). Device according to any one of claims 17 to 18, characterized in that said device further comprises at least one of the following additional parts: - compartment for the storage of the aforementioned filament; - Design device (29) for reading in the design information; BE2018 / 5791 - central processing unit (28) for controlling the coloring device (5); - One or more compartments (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) for storing a dye; - Carrier plate (10) on which the depositing device (7) is active. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that said depositing device (7), in particular the optional nozzle (9), moves in x, y, z direction relative to said carrier plate (10) having a fixed position. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that said depositing device (7), in particular the optional nozzle (9), has a fixed position and that said carrier plate (10) moves in x, y, z direction relative to the aforementioned depositing device (7), or nozzle (9). Device according to claim 19, characterized in that said depositing device (7), in particular the optional nozzle (9), moves in z-direction with respect to said carrier plate (10) and wherein said carrier plate (10) moves in the x, y plane with respect to the aforementioned depositing device (7), or nozzle (9).