Fusible water-soluble films for fabricating three-dimensional objects

Abstract

A material for use in fabricating three-dimensional objects includes a mixture of thermoplastic particles and a water-soluble polymer matrix formed as a film that is fusible into a non-water soluble state when exposed to heating. The film further includes a surfactant system bound to the thermoplastic particles, the surfactant system providing an inversion property such that the thermoplastic particles are hydrophilic but, upon a fusing of the film, become hydrophobic as the surfactant become incorporated into the bulk.

1 - 63 . (canceled)  
   
   
       64 . An apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object, the apparatus including: 
 a printer with a heating device configured to sequentially fuse layers of media together into a three-dimensional object by applying an amount of heating determined in consideration of a glass transition temperature of the media.    
   
   
       65 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 64 , wherein the printer is configured to print the layers of media with colorant(s) before the layers of media are fused together.  
   
   
       66 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 64 , wherein the glass transition temperature is about 30° C.-150° C.  
   
   
       67 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 64 , wherein the printer includes a build bin configured to support and reposition the fused layer(s) relative to the heating device between the fusing of each layer.  
   
   
       68 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 67 , wherein the printer is configured to draw the layers of media from a roll and to sequentially position the layers over the build bin.  
   
   
       69 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 64 , wherein the heating device includes a thermal print bar.  
   
   
       70 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 69 , wherein the thermal print bar is at least as wide as the layers of media.  
   
   
       71 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 64 , wherein the heating device includes thin film heating elements.  
   
   
       72 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 64 , wherein the heating device includes a scanning thermal head.  
   
   
       73 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 64 , wherein the heating device includes a laser.  
   
   
       74 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 64 , wherein the heating device is a non-laser heating device.  
   
   
       75 . An apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object, the apparatus including: 
 means for identifying a type of media and for sequentially fusing layers of the media together into a three-dimensional object by applying an amount of heating determined in consideration of a characteristic of the type of media; and    a build bin configured to support the fused layer(s) during fabrication of the three-dimensional object.    
   
   
       76 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 75 , further including: 
 a printer configured to print the layers of media with colorant(s) before the s layers of media are fused together.    
   
   
       77 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 75 , wherein the characteristic is a glass transition temperature of fusible particles in the media.  
   
   
       78 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 75 , wherein the characteristic is a ratio of fusible particles to water-soluble materials in the media.  
   
   
       79 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 75 , wherein the characteristic is a type of fusible particle in the media.  
   
   
       80 . The apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object of  claim 75 , wherein the characteristic is a type of water-soluble material in the media.