Locally heated 3D printer head

Abstract

The present invention relates to a 3D printer head with a local heating method that can minimize deformation of materials and prevent or delay transformation by locally heating the area around a nozzle portion from which a printing composition is ejected. The head head is characterized by comprising a plate-shaped head frame, a syringe provided on the front of the head frame to contain the printing composition and eject the printing composition through a nozzle portion at the bottom, a pressure supply unit connected to the syringe to eject the printing composition through the nozzle portion, and a heating unit provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the syringe to locally heat the area around the nozzle portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a local heating type 3D printer head, and more particularly to a local heating type 3D printer head that can minimize deformation of the material and prevent or delay transformation by locally heating the area around the nozzle portion through which the printing composition is ejected. [Background technology]

[0002] 3D printing technology is a general term for the technique of manufacturing three-dimensional structures by layering a printing material composition in a predetermined pattern using a 3D printer. In particular, the technique of 3D printing biological tissue using a biocompatible printing composition is defined as 3D bioprinting.

[0003] Using these 3D bioprinting systems, many studies are being actively conducted to develop technologies that can help cure diseases, such as organoids, organ-on-a-chips, and tissue and organ analogs to replace animal testing.

[0004] The printing composition used in 3D bioprinting may be based on hydrogel, thermoplastic polymer, etc., and may contain cells or growth factors, etc.

[0005] When manufacturing 3D structures such as organoids, organ-on-a-chips, and tissue and organ analogs to replace animal testing using such 3D bioprinting systems, multiple heads are often used that can eject or print both biocompatible printing compositions such as hydrogels and thermoplastic polymer compositions.

[0006] In order to perform 3D printing using a printing composition based on hydrogel, thermoplastic polymer, etc., the printing composition must be maintained in a fluid liquid phase so that it can be ejected within a 3D printer head.

[0007] Such printing compositions containing thermoplastic polymers must be maintained at high temperatures inside the 3D printer head where they are ejected or printed so that they can be maintained in a semi-solid state, i.e., a liquid phase, within the 3D printer head. However, due to the temperature difference with the outside, moisture contained in the outside air condenses on the surface of the 3D printer head or around the head, causing condensation.

[0008] In addition, when printing thermoplastic synthetic polymer materials using 3D printing technology, the syringe containing the material must be heated sufficiently to melt it before printing can begin. If the material is heated for a long period of time, the high and sustained heat energy can break the intermolecular bonds of the synthetic polymer material, causing changes in the material's physical properties (changes in viscosity, reduction in molecular weight, etc.). These changes in physical properties can lead to defects due to differences in the amount of material dispensed, and problems with smooth material dispense. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Republic of Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1795559 [Patent Document 2] Republic of Korea Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1975200 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Therefore, the present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a 3D printer head with a local heating method that can prevent deformation of the material by exposing the material to heat for a short period of time by locally heating the area around the material discharge port without heating the entire syringe. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above object, a local heating type 3D printer head according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plate-shaped head frame, a syringe provided on the head frame to contain a printing composition and to eject the printing composition through a nozzle portion at a lower portion, and a heating portion provided on an outer peripheral surface of a lower end of the syringe to locally heat the area around the nozzle portion.

[0012] The upper end of the heating unit may further include a heating unit adjusting plate that covers the lower part of the syringe and the heating unit to ensure a minimum heating area.

[0013] The upper part of the heating unit adjusting plate surrounds the heating unit and the outer circumferential surface of the syringe.

[0014] The heating unit may further include a heating unit adjusting plate at a lower end thereof, the heating unit being installed to surround an outer circumferential surface of the nozzle unit in order to ensure a minimum heating area.

[0015] The thickness of the heater adjusting plate may be smaller than or equal to that of the heater.

[0016] A syringe fixing portion for fixing a syringe may be provided on the upper front surface of the head frame.

[0017] A heat sink may be provided at the middle of the syringe to radiate high heat so that the syringe does not overheat. The printing composition may be a thermoplastic polymer.

[0018] The heating unit may include a heating block provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the syringe, and a plurality of cartridge heaters provided inside the heating block for transferring heat to heat the syringe.

[0019] The cartridge heaters can be located at the same points on both sides of the syringe.

[0020] The syringe may further include a temperature measuring unit installed at the side of the heating unit to measure the temperature of the syringe. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] As described above, the local heating type 3D printer head according to the present invention is provided with a heating unit at the bottom end of the syringe containing the printing composition, thereby locally heating the area around the nozzle from which the printing composition is ejected, and the material can maintain its original state without deformation, thereby maximizing the quality of the printed product. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a local heating type 3D printer head according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a local heating type 3D printer head according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view illustrating the internal configuration of a local heating type 3D printer head according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view illustrating a local heating type 3D printer head according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a local heating type 3D printer head according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] While the present invention can be modified in various ways and has various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail, but it should be understood that this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments, and that the present invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0024] In the drawings, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific shapes shown, and may be exaggerated for clarity. Although specific terms are used in this specification, they are used for the purpose of describing the present invention, and are not used to limit the meaning or scope of the invention as described in the claims.

[0025] As used herein, the term "and / or" is used to mean that at least one of the listed elements is included. Furthermore, the term "coupled" is used to mean that something is directly coupled to another element or indirectly coupled through another element. As used herein, the singular includes the plural unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms "comprise" or "comprises" refer to the presence or addition of one or more other elements, steps, operations, and elements.

[0026] In the description of the embodiments, when a layer, region, pattern, or structure is described as being formed "on" or "under" a substrate, each side (film), region, pad, or pattern, this includes those formed directly or via other layers. References to "on" or "under" each layer are made with reference to the drawings.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a local heating 3D printer head according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a local heating 3D printer head according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the internal structure of a local heating 3D printer head according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a front view of a local heating 3D printer head according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a local heating 3D printer head according to the present invention.

[0029] 1 to 5, a local heating type 3D printer head 1 according to the present invention can eject a printing composition while being moved by a driving device and a control device of a 3D printer. The multi-3D printer head 10 includes a head frame 100, a syringe 200 that ejects a printing composition 211, a pressure supply unit 300 that enables the ejection of the printing composition 211, a heating unit 400 that heats the syringe 200, and a temperature measurement unit 500.

[0030] The head frame 100 may be formed in a plate shape. A syringe fixing part 600 for fixing the syringe 200 may be provided on the upper front surface of the head frame 100. At this time, an insertion groove 610 into which the syringe 200 is inserted may be formed at the center of the syringe fixing part 600.

[0031] The syringe 200 is fixed to the head frame 100 by a syringe fixing part 600, and may comprise a storage part 210 in which a printing composition 211 is stored, and a nozzle part 220 from which the printing composition 211 stored in the storage part 210 is ejected.

[0032] The printing composition 211 may be made of a thermoplastic polymer, and the thermoplastic polymer is a polymer that can have fluidity like a liquid when heated, but is not particularly limited to, for example, lactide, caprolactone, glycolide, dioxanone, propylene, ethylene, vinyl chloride, butadiene, methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, carbonate, polyethylene terephalate, ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PCL (polycaprolactone), ASA (Acrylonitrile-Stryrene-Acrylate), SAN (Stryrene-Acrylonitrile The material may include one or more selected from the group consisting of 3D printable materials such as PPSF / PPSU (Polyphenylsulfone), PLA (Polylactic acid), PDL (Poly-d-lysine), and the like.

[0033] A heat dissipation part 230 for dissipating high heat so that the syringe 200 does not overheat may be provided at any location other than the bottom end of the syringe 200.

[0034] The pressure supply unit 300 is connected to the top of the syringe 200 and can supply pressure to the inside of the syringe 200 so that the printing composition 211 can be ejected through the nozzle unit 220 .

[0035] The heating unit 400 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the syringe 200 and can locally heat the area around the nozzle unit 220. The heating unit 400 may include a heating block 410 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the lower end of the syringe 200 and a cartridge heater 420 for transferring heat to the heating block 410 to heat the syringe 200.

[0036] The heating block 410 is provided to surround the lower end of the syringe 200 and heats the printing composition 211 being discharged into the nozzle portion 220, thereby locally heating the area around the nozzle portion 220 from which the printing composition 211 is discharged. In this case, the heating block 410 is preferably made of aluminum, which has excellent thermal conductivity.

[0037] A plurality of cartridge heaters 420 may be provided inside the heating block 410. The cartridge heaters 420 are preferably located at the same positions on both sides of the syringe 200. In this case, the cartridge heaters 420 may be connected to an external temperature controller (not shown) for controlling the temperatures of the syringe 200 and the heating block 410.

[0038] The temperature measuring unit 500 is provided on the side of the heating unit 400 and can measure the temperature of the syringe 200 or the heating block 410. In this case, the temperature measuring unit 500 is made up of a temperature sensor and can be connected to an external temperature control controller (not shown) for controlling the temperatures of the syringe 200 and the heating block 410.

[0039] The heating unit adjusting plate 700 is detachably attached to the upper end of the heating unit 400 and covers the lower part of the syringe 200 and the heating unit 400 to ensure a minimum heating area. The size of the heating unit adjusting plate 700 can be adjusted according to the heating area of ​​the heating unit 400.

[0040] Additionally, a heating unit adjusting plate 700 may be detachably provided at the lower end of the heating unit 400. The heating unit adjusting plate 700 attached to the lower end of the heating unit 400 is installed to surround the outer periphery of the nozzle unit 220. That is, by providing the heating unit adjusting plate 700 at the upper or lower end of the heating unit 400, the syringe 200 and the nozzle unit 220 can be heated while surrounding them so that the printing composition 211 contained in the syringe 200 can be smoothly discharged without solidifying.

[0041] Meanwhile, the thickness of the heater adjusting plate 700 may be smaller than or equal to that of the heater 400 .

[0042] The operation of the local heating type 3D printer head of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure will be explained in detail below.

[0043] The printing composition 211 contained in the container 210 of the syringe 200 can be discharged through the nozzle 220 at the lower end of the syringe 200 to form a predetermined three-dimensional biostructure. When the printing composition 211 is discharged through the nozzle 220, a heating unit 400 is provided around the nozzle 220, and the area around the nozzle 220 can be locally heated by heat generated by the heating block 410 and the cartridge heater 420.

[0044] In this way, the heating unit 400 is provided on the nozzle unit 220 at the lower end of the syringe 200, and by heating the area around the nozzle unit 220, the printing composition 211 does not deform due to localized heating, but maintains its original state, allowing for smooth formation of a three-dimensional biostructure.

[0045] The heating unit 400 heats the area around the nozzle unit 220, and the pressure supply unit 300 is operated to eject the printing composition 211 through the nozzle unit 220. The temperature measuring unit 500 measures the temperatures of the syringe 200 and the heating block 410 in real time, thereby maintaining the heating temperature of the heating unit 400 appropriately and allowing the printing composition 211 to be ejected smoothly.

[0046] In addition, the heating unit adjusting plate 700 is detachably provided while surrounding the outside of the heating unit 400, so that the heat generated in the heating unit 400 is not released to the outside but is transferred to the syringe 200 and the nozzle unit 220 to the maximum extent, and the printing composition 211 can be smoothly discharged without solidifying.

[0047] While the detailed description of the present invention has described only specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific forms set forth in the detailed description, but rather includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0048] In other words, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments and explanations described above, and various modifications can be made by anyone with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the claims, and such modifications are within the scope of protection of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10: 3D printer head 100: Head frame 200: Syringe 210: Storage unit 211: Printing composition 220: Nozzle section 230: Heat dissipation part 300: Pressure supply section 400: Heating part 410: Heating block 420: Cartridge heater 500:Temperature measurement part 600: Syringe fixing part 610: Insertion groove 700: Heating section adjustment plate

Claims

1. Head frame; a syringe provided on the head frame, containing a printing composition and discharging the printing composition through a nozzle portion at a lower portion thereof; and a heating unit provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the syringe to locally heat the periphery of the nozzle unit; A local heating type 3D printer head, characterized in that a plate-shaped heating unit adjustment plate is detachably provided at an upper end of the heating unit to cover the lower part of the syringe and the heating unit to ensure a minimum heating area, and a plate-shaped heating unit adjustment plate is detachably provided at a lower end of the heating unit to surround the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle unit to ensure a minimum heating area, and the size of the heating unit adjustment plate is adjusted according to the heating area of ​​the heating unit.

2. 2. The local heating type 3D printer head according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the heating unit adjusting plate is smaller than or equal to that of the heating unit.

3. 2. The local heating type 3D printer head according to claim 1, wherein a syringe fixing portion for fixing a syringe is provided on an upper front surface of the head frame.

4. 2. The local heating type 3D printer head according to claim 1, wherein a heat dissipation part is provided in a middle part of the syringe to dissipate high heat so that the syringe does not overheat.

5. 2. The local heating type 3D printer head according to claim 1, wherein the printing composition is a thermoplastic polymer.

6. 2. The local heating type 3D printer head of claim 1, wherein the heating unit includes: a heating block provided on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the syringe; and a plurality of cartridge heaters provided inside the heating block to transfer heat to heat the syringe.

7. The local heating type 3D printer head according to claim 6, wherein the cartridge heaters are located at the same points on both sides of the syringe.

8. The local heating type 3D printer head according to claim 1 , further comprising: a temperature measuring unit installed on a side of the heating unit and capable of measuring the temperature of the syringe.

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