Method for operating a 3D printer and 3D printer for carrying out a process

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for operating a 3D printer (1) with an X, Y, Z axis system (3) and at least one print head (10, 11) arranged on a bridge (30) displaceable in the direction of a Y axis (20), wherein the Y axis (20) can be driven simultaneously by two motors (40, 41) during operation and an X axis (50) can be controlled independently of the Y axis (20) by two further motors (60, 61) and the method (100) comprises the following steps: - (110) Starting a printing process; - (120) Querying motion data from a database containing information about the position and movement of the printhead (10, 11) and / or an object to be printed (2); - (130) Decide in which direction the printing process should take place, based on the requested motion data, the possible directions including: - (200) Print in X direction (50), or - (300) Print in Y direction (20), or - (400) Printing in X (50) and Y (20) directions. The invention further relates to a 3D printer (1) for carrying out a method (100) according to the invention.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a 3D printer and a 3D printer for carrying out a method. State of the art

[0002] The state of the art in 3D printing encompasses various technologies and machine configurations that aim to create objects by depositing material layer by layer. Granular 3D printers, which use granular materials, are particularly well-known.

[0003] From DE 102016222306 A1, a printhead is known in which a granulate is plasticized via a piston and a heated section. When the piston presses on the granulate, it is compacted and conveyed to a plasticization zone in the lower part of the printhead.

[0004] These printers typically use piston extruders to melt and deposit the granules. A common problem with these printers is the need to interrupt the printing process to refill and melt new granules. These interruptions result in visible marks on the printed object and compromise part quality. Furthermore, many 3D printers are heavy and unwieldy due to their design and motor placement, leading to higher purchase costs and lower efficiency.

[0005] The present invention therefore aims to provide a method for operating a 3D printer and a 3D printer itself, wherein the method is intended to enable an optimal positioning process and the printer has a compact, efficient, and cost-effective design. The invention is intended to enable higher traverse speeds and rapid traverses, reduce component wear, lower acquisition costs, deliver improved component quality, and allow the printing process or print job to be carried out with few short interruptions. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] Within the scope of the invention, a method for operating a 3D printer and a 3D printer for carrying out a method were developed.

[0007] The invention comprises a method for operating a 3D printer with an X, Y, Z axis system and at least one print head arranged on a bridge displaceable in the direction of a Y axis, wherein the Y axis can be driven simultaneously by two motors during operation and an X axis can be controlled independently of the Y axis by two further motors. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: - Starting a printing process; - Queries of motion data from a database containing information about the position and movement of the printhead and / or an object to be printed; - Decide in which direction the printing process should take place, based on the queried movement data, with the possible directions including: - Printing in the X direction, or - Printing in the Y direction, or - Printing in the X and Y directions.

[0008] The simultaneous control of the Y-axis by two motors and the independent control of the X-axis by two additional motors enable more precise and stable movement of the print head. This results in higher accuracy and quality of the printed objects.

[0009] Querying motion data from a database and determining the print direction based on that data optimizes the printing process. This reduces errors and improves the efficiency and accuracy of the printing process. Targeted control of the individual axes to adjust the position and speed of the printhead enables precise control and improves print quality.

[0010] In a training course, when printing in the X direction, the motors of the X-axis are controlled in such a way that the position and speed of the print head are changed according to the movement data.

[0011] In a further training course, when printing in the Y direction, the motors of the Y-axis are controlled in such a way that the position and speed of the print head are changed according to the movement data, and at the same time the motors of the X-axis perform a compensatory movement on the X-axis.

[0012] In a further training course, when printing simultaneously in the X and Y directions, the motors of the Y axis are controlled in such a way that the position and speed of the print head are changed according to the movement data, and the motors of the X axis are controlled in such a way that the position and speed of the print head are changed according to the movement data, while at the same time the motors of the X axis perform a compensatory movement on the X axis.

[0013] In a training course, after the preceding steps have been carried out, it is checked whether the printing process is complete and whether the printing process is either continued or terminated.

[0014] Checking the printing process after the previous steps ensures that the printing process is completed correctly or can be continued. This increases the reliability and efficiency of the 3D printer.

[0015] In a further training course, the 3D printer includes two print heads, which can be moved independently of each other along the X-axis.

[0016] The ability to move two printheads independently along the X-axis increases the flexibility and efficiency of the printing process. This allows for the simultaneous printing of two different objects or parts of an object.

[0017] In a further training course, there is the possibility of parallel printing with both printheads using different materials.

[0018] Parallel printing with two printheads using different materials enables the production of complex objects with various materials in a single printing process. This expands the application areas of 3D printers.

[0019] In a training course, the two printheads can print alternately, with the second printhead taking over the starting position of the first printhead in order to continue the printing process when it switches to a refill mode to fill the first printhead.

[0020] Alternating printing with two printheads and the second printhead taking over the starting position of the first enables a continuous printing process, even while a printhead is being refilled. This increases efficiency and reduces downtime.

[0021] The method according to the invention comprises several steps that ensure precise control of the printhead to achieve optimal printing results. The method takes into account different printing directions and includes adjustments and compensatory movements to guarantee the accuracy of the printing process.

[0022] Furthermore, the invention comprises a 3D printer for carrying out a method according to the invention, wherein the print heads are movable via guide rails and belt drives, and the belt drives are guided by deflection pulleys.

[0023] The printheads are guided by guide rails and belt drives, which are guided by pulleys, ensuring precise and stable movement. This improves the accuracy and quality of the printed objects.

[0024] In a training course, the motors for the Y-axis are arranged on a machine frame of the 3D printer.

[0025] The arrangement of the Y-axis motors on the 3D printer's machine frame ensures stable and low-vibration movement of the Y-axis. This increases the precision and quality of the printing process.

[0026] In a training course, the pulleys are arranged on the bridge.

[0027] The arrangement of the guide rollers on the bridge enables a compact and efficient design of the 3D printer. This improves the stability and precision of the print head movement.

[0028] Furthermore, the 3D printer allows for alternating printing, which advantageously minimizes interruptions during the printing process. The arrangement of the print heads on a movable bridge enables efficient use of the build chamber and improves component quality through continuous printing.

[0029] The described 3D printer offers higher efficiency, improved component quality, and lower acquisition costs through the combination of the aforementioned features. Alternating print heads minimize interruptions, while the weight-optimized bridge and relocated motors reduce moving mass and increase repeatability. Parallel Y-axis control and precise positioning via guide rails and belt drives ensure high positional accuracy. The ability to print with different materials simultaneously increases the printer's flexibility and application range.

[0030] Further measures improving the invention are described in more detail below, together with a description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to figures. Brief description of the drawing

[0031] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a 3D printer according to the invention and Fig. 2 a flowchart of a method according to the invention for operating a 3D printer. Examples of implementation

[0032] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a 3D printer 1 for printing an object 2, comprising an X, Y, Z axis system 3 and two print heads 10, 11, wherein the first 10 and the second print head 11 are arranged on a bridge 30 that is movable in the direction of the Y axis 20. The X, Y, Z axis system 3 forms a drive system 3, or drive device 3, for moving the print heads 10, 11 in the X and Y directions and a build plate 4 in the Z direction, whereby the object 2 to be printed is printed onto the build plate 4. The directions of the X, Y, Z axis system 3 are shown by an X, Y, Z axis 5.

[0033] The Y-axis 20 can be driven simultaneously by two motors 40 and 41 to achieve improved positional accuracy. The motors 40 and 41 can be driven in parallel to prevent deflection caused by dynamic movement of the bridge 30. The X-axis 50 can be controlled independently of the Y-axis 20.

[0034] The printheads are moved 10, 11 via guide rails 80, 81 and belt drives 82, 83, the belt drives 82, 83 being guided by pulleys 92, 93 to ensure precise positioning. The guide rails 80, 81 form bridge shoulders on which the bridge 30 is mounted in the Y direction. The belt drives 82, 83 move the printheads 10, 11 in the X direction 50, with motor 60 moving the first printhead 10 via the first belt drive 82 and motor 61 moving the second

[0035] The printhead 11 is moved via the second belt drive 83. The motors 40, 41 for the Y-axis 20 are arranged on a machine frame 70 to reduce the moving mass, and the bridge 30 is thus designed with optimized weight to increase the repeatability of the printing process.

[0036] The two printheads 10, 11 can print alternately to minimize interruptions during a printing process, with the second printhead 11 taking over the starting position of the first printhead 10 to continue the printing process when it switches to a refill mode to fill the first printhead 10.

[0037] The printheads 10, 11 can be moved independently of each other along the X-axis 50, and it is also possible to print in parallel with both printheads 10, 11 using different materials.

[0038] The Y-axis 20 can also be controlled by motors 40, 41 on one side only, with the other motor remaining stationary and supported on the machine frame 70 to minimize any possible deflection of the bridge 30 at higher dynamics.

[0039] The motors 60, 61, and the actuators for the X-axis 50 are arranged on the machine frame 70, allowing the bridge 30 to move with less weight. This enables not only the bridge 30, but also the entire drive unit 3 to be designed lighter, further increasing the system's positional accuracy.

[0040] The print heads 10 and 11 are moved primarily by the motor 60 driving the print head 10, or extruder, along the X-axis 50 via the belt 82 and the pulleys 94, 96, 92, and 98. The motor 61 drives the second print head 11, or extruder, along the X-axis 50 via the belt 83 and the pulleys 95, 97, 93, and 99.

[0041] Motors 40 and 41 move the bridge 30 along the Y-direction 20 and, to achieve better positional accuracy, are generally driven in parallel, thus preventing deflection due to the dynamic movement of the bridge 30. The respective belt is driven by the respective motor 40, 41 and deflected via pulleys 90, 91.

[0042] Because the motors 60 and 61 are not located on the bridge 30, they must always move along with the bridge 30 when it is moved along the Y-axis 20 in order to compensate for the position of the respective printheads 10, 11.

[0043] As an alternative function, the inventive design of the 3D printer 1 also offers the possibility of printing simultaneously with two print heads 10, 11, in particular with the same or different starting materials.

[0044] Fig. Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a method 100 according to the invention for operating the 3D printer 1. As shown in the Fig.As described in the exemplary embodiment of the 3D printer 1 shown in Figure 1, the motors 60, 61 for moving the print heads 10, 11 in the X-direction 50 are not arranged on the bridge 30, but on the machine frame 70. The deflection pulleys 92, 93 for guiding the drive belts 82, 83 are arranged on the bridge 30, which results in dependencies between the motors 40, 41 for the Y-axis 20 and the motors 60, 61 for the X-axis. To achieve a precise printing process based on these dependencies, the method 100 according to the invention is provided. The method 100 for operating the 3D printer 1 with the X, Y, Z axis system 3 and at least one print head 10, 11 arranged on a bridge 30 movable in the direction of the Y axis 20, wherein the Y axis 20 can be driven simultaneously by two motors 40, 41 during operation and the X axis 50 can be controlled independently of the Y axis 20 by two further motors 60, 61, comprises the following steps: - Starting a print job 110; - Queries of motion data 120 from a database containing information about the position and movement of the printhead 10, 11 and / or an object to be printed 2; - Decide 130 in which direction the printing process should take place, based on the queried movement data, whereby the possible directions include: - Print 200 in X direction 50, or - Print 300 in the Y direction 20, or - Print 400 in X-50 and Y-direction 20.

[0045] If the 3D printer 1 is to print exclusively along the X-axis 50, the motors 60, 61 of the X-axis 50 are controlled during printing 200 in the X-direction 50 such that the position and speed of the print head 10, 11 are changed according to the retrieved motion data. The position of the Y-axis 20 is not changed in this process.

[0046] If the 3D printer 1 is to print exclusively along the Y-axis 20, during printing 300 in the Y-direction 20 the motors 40, 41 of the Y-axis 20 are controlled in such a way 310 that the position and speed of the print head 10, 11 are changed according to the retrieved motion data and at the same time the motors 60, 61 of the X-axis 50 perform a compensation movement 320 on the X-axis 50.

[0047] If the 3D printer 1 is to print along a path with both axes 20, 50 simultaneously, during simultaneous printing 400 in the X-direction 50 and Y-direction 20, the motors 40, 41 of the Y-axis 20 are controlled 410 such that the position and speed of the print head 10, 11 are changed according to the movement data, and the motors 60, 61 of the X-axis 50 are controlled 420 such that the position and speed of the print head 10, 11 are changed according to the movement data, while at the same time the motors 60, 61 of the X-axis 50 perform a compensation movement 430 on the X-axis 50.

[0048] After the preceding steps have been completed, it is checked (140) whether the printing process is complete and the printing process is either continued (120) or terminated (150).

[0049] In method 100 for operating a 3D printer 1, a refill mode can be introduced to allow, in particular, two print heads 10, 11 to print alternately, wherein the second print head 11 takes over the starting position of the first print head 10 in order to continue the printing process when the first print head 10 switches to refill mode. This is particularly possible for print heads 10, 11 that use granules as the starting material for printing the object 2. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 102016222306 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Method (100) for operating a 3D printer (1) with an X, Y, Z axis system (3) and at least one print head (10, 11) arranged on a bridge (30) displaceable in the direction of a Y axis (20), wherein the Y axis (20) can be driven simultaneously by two motors (40, 41) during operation and an X axis (50) can be controlled independently of the Y axis (20) by two further motors (60, 61) and the method (100) comprises the following steps: - (110) Starting a printing process; - (120) Querying motion data from a database containing information about the position and movement of the printhead (10, 11) and / or an object to be printed (2); - (130) Decide in which direction the printing process should take place, based on the requested motion data, the possible directions including: - (200) Print in X direction (50), or - (300) Print in Y direction (20), or - (400) Printing in X (50) and Y (20) directions. [2] Method (100) for operating a 3D printer (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that when printing (200) in the X direction (50) the motors (60, 61) of the X axis (50) are controlled (210) in such a way that the position and speed of the print head (10, 11) are changed according to the movement data. [3] Method (100) for operating a 3D printer (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that when printing (300) in the Y direction (20) the motors (40, 41) of the Y axis (20) are controlled (310) in such a way that the position and speed of the print head (10, 11) are changed according to the movement data and at the same time the motors (60, 61) of the X axis (50) perform a compensating movement (320) on the X axis (50). [4] Method (100) for operating a 3D printer (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that when printing (400) simultaneously in the X direction (50) and Y direction (20), the motors (40, 41) of the Y axis (20) are controlled (410) such that the position and speed of the print head (10, 11) are changed according to the movement data, and the motors (60, 61) of the X axis (50) are controlled (420) such that the position and speed of the print head (10, 11) are changed according to the movement data, while at the same time the motors (60, 61) of the X axis (50) perform a compensating movement (430) on the X axis (50). [5] Method (100) for operating a 3D printer (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that after the preceding steps have been carried out, it is checked (140) whether the printing process is complete and the printing process is either continued (120) or terminated (150). [6] Method (100) for operating a 3D printer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the 3D printer (1) comprises two print heads (10, 11) wherein the print heads (10, 11) can be moved independently of each other along the X-axis (50). [7] Method (100) for operating a 3D printer (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the possibility of parallel printing with both printheads (10, 11) with different materials exists. [8] Method (100) for operating a 3D printer (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the two printheads (10, 11) can print alternately, with the second printhead (11) taking over the starting position of the first printhead (10) to continue the printing process when it switches to a refill mode to fill the first printhead (10). [9] 3D printer (1) for carrying out a method (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the printheads (10, 11) are movable via guide rails (80, 81) and belt drives (82, 83), and the belt drives (82, 83) are guided by deflection pulleys (92, 93). [10] 3D printer (1) according to claim 9, characterized by , that the motors (40, 41) for the Y-axis (20) are arranged on a machine frame (70) of the 3D printer (1). [11] 3D printer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the deflection pulleys (92, 93) are arranged on the bridge (30).

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