3D Printed Object Weight Adjustment via Internal Clearances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shaping devices struggle to accurately adjust the weight and center of gravity of shaped objects, leading to potential imbalance and instability, especially when the desired weight or balance is not met by the inherent properties of the deposition material used.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating clearances within the shaped object and filling them with substances of varying specific gravity to adjust the weight and center of gravity without affecting the external appearance, allowing for precise control over the final product's balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the shaped object is formed by filling with deposition material to achieve complete coverage and structural integrity, then the strength and external appearance are improved, but the weight becomes fixed and cannot be adjusted for balance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped object is divided into two distinct regions: a solid deposition material region providing structural integrity and an internal clearance region for weight adjustment. This segmentation allows independent optimization of strength (through complete external shell formation) and weight (through selective clearance positioning and sizing).
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the shaped object are given different properties: the external shell and critical structural areas are formed with deposition material for strength, while internal regions are created as clearances for weight adjustment. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying material presence only where needed for each function.
2Ease of manufacture
If the shaped object is formed with uniform density to simplify manufacturing, then the manufacturing process is easier, but the center of gravity cannot be adjusted for proper balance
Solution Approach 1:
The object is segmented into uniform deposition material regions and strategic clearance regions. The uniform deposition material simplifies manufacturing, while the strategically positioned clearances (whose locations, sizes, and shapes are precisely controlled) enable center of gravity adjustment without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The density distribution is changed from uniform to non-uniform by introducing clearances at specific locations. This parameter change allows center of gravity control while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes, as the clearances are integrated into the shaping process itself rather than requiring post-manufacturing modifications.
3Weight of moving object
If clearances are introduced to adjust weight and center of gravity, then weight control is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The clearance regions are formed during the initial shaping process itself, rather than requiring post-manufacturing modification. The deposition head strategically deposits material to leave void spaces, or deposits and then removes material to create clearances. This preliminary action integrates weight adjustment into the manufacturing process, reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process parameters are adjusted to accommodate clearance formation: deposition patterns are modified to create voids, or deposition is followed by selective removal. These parameter changes enable precise weight control while keeping the process relatively simple by using the existing deposition capability rather than adding entirely new manufacturing steps.
Data Source
AI summary
To manufacture a shaped object more appropriately by adjusting weight and the like of the shaped object. A manufacturing method for a shaped object for manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped object by depositing a layer of shaping material, the manufacturing method includes: setting a weight of at least part of the shaped object to be a setting weight different from a filling weight that is weight in a case of forming the shaped object by filling deposition material used for deposition; and forming the shaped object to which the setting weight is set to be matched with the setting weight by forming at least part of the shaped object in a state of including a clearance inside as a region that is not formed with the deposition material.