3D Printer Binder and Powder Supply Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional fabricating apparatuses using powder materials are inefficient due to the time required for moving powder and binder liquid supply devices, which prolongs the shaping process of three-dimensional objects.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional fabricating apparatus with a configuration where binder liquid supply devices are positioned to eject binder liquid in the same direction as the powder material supply devices, allowing for simultaneous and efficient layer formation without the need for devices to return to their origin positions, and multiple supply devices are alternately and linearly disposed to enhance layer stacking speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the powder material supply device or the binder liquid supply device is returned to the origin position when switching operations, then the devices can be repositioned for the next operation, but some time is taken for the movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous operation by eliminating the return-to-origin movement. The binder liquid supply device ejects binder liquid continuously while the powder material supply device supplies powder material, without interrupting the operation to return to the origin position. This continuous action eliminates the time loss associated with device repositioning while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the binder liquid supply device in advance at a location where it can eject binder liquid onto the powder material layer as it is being formed. The device is preliminarily arranged to overlap with the powder material supply path, allowing simultaneous operation without the need for subsequent repositioning movements.
2Manufacturing precision
If a small layer thickness is used for the powder material layer, then the shaped object can be formed with higher precision, but some time is taken until the shaped object is completed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous formation of multiple powder material layers by eliminating the return-to-origin movement between layers. The binder liquid supply device remains positioned to continuously eject binder liquid onto successive powder material layers as they are formed, allowing rapid stacking of multiple thin layers without interrupting the operation for device repositioning, thereby achieving both precision and high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new spatial arrangement where the binder liquid supply device is positioned to operate in parallel with the powder material supply device along the movement direction. This dimensional reorganization allows simultaneous operation in the same workspace, enabling rapid layer stacking without the time penalty of returning to origin, thus improving productivity while maintaining the precision benefits of thin layers.
3Shape
If multiple powder material layers are stacked to form the three-dimensional shaped object, then the object can be formed with complex geometry, but the moving time of the supply devices increases the total shaping time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous operation for forming multiple powder material layers by eliminating the return-to-origin movement between layers. The binder liquid supply device continuously ejects binder liquid onto successive layers as the powder material supply device forms them, allowing rapid stacking of multiple layers to create complex three-dimensional geometries without the cumulative time loss that would result from repeated device repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The binder liquid supply device is preliminarily positioned to overlap with the powder material supply path, enabling it to continuously eject binder liquid onto multiple successive powder material layers as they are formed. This preliminary arrangement allows the device to service multiple layers without interrupting the operation to reposition, thereby reducing the total shaping time for complex three-dimensional objects.
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
This configuration significantly reduces the time needed to form and stack powder material layers, thereby accelerating the overall three-dimensional object fabrication process.
Implementation Method 1
a binder liquid is ejected from an inkjet head and the like to the layer so as to form layers of a part of a shaped object
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
A three-dimensional fabricating apparatus has a table on which a powder material is stacked in a layered manner, and a shaping unit which includes a powder material supply device supplying the powder material onto a top surface of the table by every predetermined layer thickness and a binder liquid supply device ejecting a binder liquid to the powder material supplied onto the top surface of the table. The powder material supply device of the shaping unit is movable in one direction in a state adjacent to the top surface of the table and is capable of supplying the powder material onto the top surface of the table at a predetermined supply width while moving the powder material supply device. The binder liquid supply device is capable of moving in the same direction as the powder material supply device in a state adjacent to the top surface of the table.