3D Shaping Heater Plate With Nozzle Through-Hole for Layer Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional shaping devices require complex control due to the need to move an energy source to heat the position ahead of the nozzle each time the nozzle changes direction, complicating the stacking process.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional shaping device with a first heating unit having a through-hole for the nozzle, supported by a first supporting unit that changes posture, allowing parallel contact with the shaping surface for heating, and a method involving a disposing, stacking, and heating process to simplify the adhesion between layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the energy source is moved to heat the position ahead of the nozzle each time the nozzle changes direction, then the plasticized material can be properly heated for stacking, but the control process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the energy source to follow the nozzle position, the invention inverts the approach by positioning the energy source at a fixed location and moving the nozzle through a through-hole in the heating plate. This allows the heating zone to remain stationary while the material is fed through it, simplifying control while maintaining proper heating for adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a through-hole in the heating plate that replicates the nozzle's path, allowing the nozzle to pass through the heating zone without requiring the energy source to move. This copying of the nozzle path as a fixed opening eliminates the need for complex tracking control.
2Reliability
If the energy source is moved to maintain heating position, then material adhesion is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional approach by making the heating plate stationary with a through-hole instead of moving the energy source. The nozzle moves through the fixed heating zone, eliminating the need for complex moving mechanisms while ensuring consistent heating for reliable layer adhesion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle moves direction frequently, then three-dimensional shaping flexibility is improved, but the heating control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The through-hole in the heating plate copies and accommodates the nozzle's movement path, allowing the nozzle to move freely in different directions to create complex three-dimensional shapes. The fixed heating zone simply needs to maintain its position, greatly simplifying heating control while preserving shaping flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Simplifies the control process by maintaining parallel contact between the heating unit and shaping surface, improving adhesion and reducing complexity in layer stacking.
Implementation Method 1
an existing layer is heated by an energy source connected to a head via an arm section and a following layer is stacked on the heated existing layer to improve adhesion between the existing layer and the following layer
Implementation Method 2
a first heating unit including a heater configured to heat the plasticized material stacked on the stage
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional shaping device includes a plasticizing unit configured to plasticize a material to generate a plasticized material, a nozzle configured to discharge the plasticized material, a stage including a shaping surface on which the plasticized material is stacked, a moving unit configured to change relative positions of the nozzle and the stage, a plate-shaped first heating unit including a heater configured to heat the plasticized material on the stage, a through-hole being formed in the first heating unit, and a first supporting unit configured such that a relative position thereof to the stage changes together with the nozzle, the first supporting unit supporting the first heating unit to thereby dispose the first heating unit in a position opposed to the stage. At a shaping time, at least a part of the nozzle is located in the through-hole. The first supporting unit includes a posture changing unit configured to allow a change in a posture of the first heating unit. The posture changing unit is configured to be capable of fixing the posture in a state in which a heating surface and the shaping surface are in contact in parallel.