3D Shaping Nozzle Scheduling to Eliminate Cleaning Wait Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional shaping devices experience waiting times due to the inability to extrude shaping material from nozzles during cleaning, which is not addressed by existing techniques that aim to shorten cleaning times.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional shaping device with a control unit that coordinates the extrusion of shaping materials from multiple nozzles while integrating cleaning processes, ensuring continuous operation by alternating deposition and cleaning timings within the same period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cleaning processing is performed on the second nozzle, then the nozzle can be maintained for future use, but the shaping process must be interrupted causing waiting time
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action by having the first nozzle continue depositing material during the cleaning of the second nozzle. The control unit coordinates so that cleaning processing occurs during the period when first deposition processing is being executed, eliminating idle waiting time while ensuring the second nozzle is cleaned and ready for subsequent use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by alternating between deposition and cleaning operations in a coordinated sequence. The control unit manages periodic switching between using the first nozzle for deposition and cleaning the second nozzle, creating a rhythm of operations where one nozzle is always productive while the other is being prepared.
2Productivity
If cleaning processing is performed simultaneously on both nozzles, then cleaning time is shortened, but the shaping process must be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action during cleaning operations by having the first nozzle continue its deposition function while the second nozzle undergoes cleaning. This eliminates complete stopping of the shaping process, as material deposition continues uninterrupted from the first nozzle during the cleaning interval.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic operation by allowing flexible switching between nozzles and operations. The control unit dynamically manages which nozzle is actively depositing and which is being cleaned, enabling the system to adapt its configuration during operation to maintain productivity while performing necessary maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional shaping device includes a position changing unit configured to change relative positions of a first head having a first nozzle and a stage and relative positions of a second head having a second nozzle and the stage, a cleaning part configured to clean the second nozzle, and a control unit. The control unit executes first deposition processing of depositing a layer of the first shaping material in a shaping region by extruding the first shaping material from the first nozzle while changing the relative positions of the first head and the stage, cleaning processing of cleaning the second nozzle using the cleaning part, and second deposition processing of depositing a layer of the second shaping material in the shaping region by extruding the second shaping material from the second nozzle while changing the relative positions of the second head and the stage after the cleaning processing. A start timing and an end timing of the cleaning processing are included in an execution period of the first deposition processing.