| abstract |
This patent application claims the use of directed energy in the form of electronically scanned ion beams (e.g., proton beams) to form plastic parts by selectively curing commodity or engineering resin in the shape of the part. Polymerization is limited to the vicinity of the controlled Bragg-peak of the ion beam (i.e., where linear energy transfer is maximized), if necessary, by the use of chemical polymerization inhibitors or conditions that inhibit polymerization. This technology is more flexible than conventional or continuous three-dimension printing/production (e.g., CLIP™) because (i) it is not confined to layer-by-layer construction, (ii) it does not require a moving stage upon which the plastic part is formed, (iii) it is independent of orientation of the part (not dependent on gravity), and (iv) it allows the incorporation of fillers and pre-formed elements of almost any material into the final part. The process can be faster than “printing” processes because multiple beams can work from different directions simultaneously and the freedom from the layer-by-layer constraint allows time-saving strategies for building and final curing of the part. |