Photopolymerization of photopolymers by scanning laser beam.

Abstract

We have developed a new type of photo hardening system for constructing 3-D models using an UV-laser and liquid photopolymer. In the system the surface of liquid photopolymer is exposed by laser scanning according to the sectional shape of 3-D pattern stored in the computer, and solidified photopolymer layers made thus are stacked successively to form the solid object. As the accuracy and speed of the shaping process are determined by the characteristics of the photopolymer, the experiments has done to obtain the most suitable composition of photopolymer. According to the results, the spatial accuracy and sensitivity are affected by the selection of oligomers, the density of the photoinitiator and mixing of some powder, and the plasticizer or the plastic powder should be used instead of the monomer to prevent the shrinkage of polymerization.