3D Printer Heating Arrays for Uniform Irradiance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional printing systems face issues with non-uniform irradiance distribution due to environmental and internal factors, leading to temperature variations and inconsistencies in the physical properties of printed objects.
Innovation Solution
A heating device with a plurality of light emitting arrays and a power source that employs a calibration profile to control the electric current supplied to each array, ensuring uniform irradiance across the target surface by balancing internal and external factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a heating device is used to melt selected regions of layered build material, then the build material is solidified on a layer-by-layer basis, but non-uniform irradiance distribution causes temperature variations and inconsistencies in printed objects
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is divided into multiple independently controllable light emitting arrays arranged across the build chamber. Each array can be controlled to emit irradiance corresponding to a calibration profile, allowing localized adjustment of heating intensity to compensate for environmental factors and achieve uniform temperature distribution across the build material.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the electric current supplied to each light emitting array based on a calibration profile that accounts for internal and external factors. By varying the operating parameters (current, power) of individual arrays, the system compensates for non-uniform irradiance distribution and maintains consistent temperature across the target surface.
2Reliability
If multiple light emitting arrays are used to achieve uniform irradiance, then temperature consistency is improved, but the device complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a calibration profile that is determined based on measurements of internal and external factors affecting irradiance distribution. This feedback mechanism allows the control circuit to adjust the electric current to each light emitting array based on actual performance data, ensuring consistent heating while managing system complexity through automated calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration profile is pre-determined by measuring and analyzing internal and external factors before the actual printing process. This preliminary characterization of the heating device's behavior allows for predictable and consistent control during operation, reducing the need for complex real-time adjustments and simplifying the control system.
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
The solution achieves spatially uniform irradiance, enhancing the reliability and reproducibility of the heating process, thereby improving the physical properties and consistency of printed objects.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light emitting arrays and a power source that supplies a respective electric current to each light emitting array
Implementation Method 2
emit an irradiance towards a target surface... melt selected regions of the layered build material
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example, a heating device comprises a plurality of light emitting arrays to emit a respective irradiance associated with a calibration profile and a power source electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting arrays, wherein the irradiances emitted by the plurality of light emitting arrays result in a substantially spatially uniform irradiance towards a target surface.