3D Printing Bottom Plate System for Automated Base Plate Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3D printing, the manual replacement of base plates during long printing sessions reduces efficiency due to the need for real-time monitoring and increased total printing time.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printing bottom plate system with a movable printing bottom plate and storage unit for base plates, where the printing bottom plate automatically moves to replace and position base plates, allowing for continuous printing without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual base plate replacement is used, then the system structure is simple, but the productivity decreases and loss of time increases due to required manual monitoring and intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The printing bottom plate system performs base plate replacement automatically without human intervention. The system uses its own moving capabilities to transport base plates from the storage unit to the printing position, and to replace them on the printing platform, making the system self-servicing for this repetitive task
Solution Approach 2:
The printing bottom plate is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change position between the printing area and the storage unit. This dynamic capability enables automatic base plate replacement while maintaining system simplicity
2Loss of time
If manual base plate replacement is used, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of time increases due to interruption of printing process
Solution Approach 1:
Base plates are pre-stored in the storage unit in the correct sequence. Before printing is needed, the system has already prepared the next base plate in storage, so when replacement is needed, the system simply needs to retrieve and position it, minimizing interruption time
Solution Approach 2:
The storage unit acts as an intermediary between base plate manufacturing/preparation and the printing process. It buffers and organizes base plates so that the printing process can continue without waiting for manual preparation or cleaning of base plates
3Productivity
If automatic base plate replacement is implemented, then the productivity improves and loss of time decreases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing bottom plate serves multiple functions: it is both the printing surface and the transport mechanism for base plates. By making the bottom plate itself movable and capable of carrying base plates, the system achieves automatic replacement without adding separate complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the storage unit, transport mechanism, and replacement function into a single integrated system. The storage unit is positioned such that the movable printing bottom plate can directly access it, combining what could have been separate subsystems into one cohesive unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a 3D printing bottom plate system, including a printing bottom plate and a storage unit for base plates, the printing bottom plate is movable in a direction towards or away from the storage unit for base plates; in the process of the printing bottom plate moving towards the storage unit for base plates, the lowermost one of base plates stored in a stacked manner in the storage unit for base plates slides onto the printing bottom plate; and in the process of the printing bottom plate moving away from the storage unit for base plates, the base plate slid onto the printing bottom plate is driven to a preset working position by the printing bottom plate.