Re: [rp-ml] What type of adhesive is used in a Z-Corp Machine?

From: Terry Wohlers (tw@wohlersassociates.com)
Date: Thu Aug 18 2005 - 23:01:52 EEST


Long ago, I was told that the binder is mostly water with some alcohol, as well as some "other chemicals." The exact formulation is a closely held secret, so I doubt we will ever find out precisely what it is.

Regards,

Terry

************
Terry Wohlers
Wohlers Associates, Inc.
OakRidge Business Park
1511 River Oak Drive
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525 USA
970-225-0086
Fax 970-225-2027
tw@wohlersassociates.com
http://wohlersassociates.com

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Rod McCormick
  To: rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi
  Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2005 12:04 PM
  Subject: Re: [rp-ml] What type of adhesive is used in a Z-Corp Machine?

  We had a ZCorp rep demo the machine a couple of years ago and he said the liquid was basically sugar water. Of course, fancy, expensive, highly sophisticated sugar water. So a very weak adhesive.

  I can't imagine that the gypsum material would be an active plaster or humidity would wreak havoc with it. I'd assume that the plaster-like material is inert, hence the need to infiltrate the gypsum parts as well.

  Rod McCormick
  University of the Arts

  On Aug 18, 2005, at 12:53 PM, Charles Overy wrote:

    Scott.
     
>They said: “Cynoacrylate?” I said I thought a type of CA was used for infiltrating, but not jetting out onto the material.

     
    You are correct. There is a relatively thin solution that comes out of the ink jet heads (standard HP or in the older models Cannon) What is in this is a mystery to me except it is non toxic. It does contain some water, and agents that control how fast it dries and how much it permeates into the powder.
     
    The parts are porous and you can make them stronger by infiltrating them with CA, wax, epoxy, etc.
     
    My take on describing the proeces is that the powder is selectively solidified by the jetted binder. The newer powders are "plaster based" so I assume it is a reaction that is started by the water in the binder.
     
    I am sure you can talk to someone at Z Corp www.zcorp.com
     
    Best
    Charles Overy
    LGM
     

      -----Original Message-----
      From: owner-rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi [mailto:owner-rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi]On Behalf Of Scott Tilton
      Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2005 6:38 AM
      To: rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi
      Subject: [rp-ml] What type of adhesive is used in a Z-Corp Machine?

      Someone asked me this question . .and I didn’t know the answer. (sorry, I’m not a Z-Corp know it all)
       
      They said: “Cynoacrylate?”
       
      I said I thought a type of CA was used for infiltrating, but not jetting out onto the material.
       
      Someone else said he thought the binding was a combination of some stuff jetted out of the print head (possibly water) and a material mixed in the powder.
      He swore that’s how it was done.
       
      Maybe it was in the beginning.
      Maybe it still is.
      Maybe it never was.
       
      Someone please give me good schooling on this topic.
       
      If you don’t want to type it all out, drop me an e-mail and I’ll call you (or you can call me) to explain it.
       
      Thanks in advance.
       
       
      Scott Tilton

       

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