3D Printer Build Platform With Adjustable Posts for Gap Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional FDM 3D printing faces challenges in printing flowable filament material between elevated structures due to its fluid-like properties, necessitating manual creation and placement of supporting structures, increasing complexity, cost, and time.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printer with a build platform featuring adjustable posts that can be raised to support flowable filament across gaps, eliminating the need for manual supporting structures by selectively raising posts to desired heights based on the 3D object's configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual supporting structures are created and placed to support flowable filament between elevated structures, then the filament can be successfully deposited, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The build platform automatically generates and positions supporting structures using its own integrated post mechanisms, eliminating the need for external manual intervention. The system serves itself by providing the necessary support infrastructure through automated control circuits that raise posts to appropriate heights and positions based on the digital design requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting structures are prepared and positioned in advance before the actual filament deposition process begins. The control circuit identifies where support is needed and raises the appropriate posts to the correct heights beforehand, so that when the nozzle approaches, the support infrastructure is already in place and ready to receive the filament.
2Reliability
If manual supporting structures are created and placed to support flowable filament, then the filament can be supported, but the manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated post system allows for continuous integration of support structure creation with the printing process itself. Rather than creating supports as a separate manual step, the control circuit manages post positioning concurrently with or immediately before filament deposition, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous productive action throughout the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages the entire support lifecycle without external intervention - from identifying support needs based on the digital model to executing post positioning and height adjustment. This self-service capability eliminates the time-consuming manual operations of creating, transporting, and placing supporting structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If posts are raised to support filament across gaps, then complex 3D objects can be printed, but the build platform complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The post mechanisms serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for filament deposition, define the geometry of overhanging features, and can be adjusted to various heights to accommodate different design requirements. This multi-functionality allows a single integrated system to handle diverse printing scenarios without requiring separate specialized components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit acts as an intelligent intermediary that translates the digital design model into physical post configurations. It automatically calculates which posts need to be raised, by how much, and in what sequence, thereby mediating between the abstract digital design and the physical build platform operations without requiring complex manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional (3D) printer includes a platform assembly on which a 3D object can be built, an extruder, a filament feeding assembly feeding a filament to the extruder, a movable nozzle receiving heated filament from the extruder in a flowable form and directing the flowable filament material on the platform assembly to create the 3D object, and a controlling circuit for controlling an operation of the 3D printer. The platform assembly may include first and second plates separated from one another, a plurality of elongated structures connecting the first and second plates to one another, and a plurality of post assemblies disposed between the first and second plates. The post assemblies may include posts that can be selectively raised and lowered to protrude over the plate, from among the first and second plates, on which the 3D object will be built to assist with the building process.