3D Printing Guide Rail for Precise Robotic Arm Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional printing systems face inaccuracies and misalignments due to incorrect positioning and orientation of the robotic arm, leading to defects in printed objects.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional printing system incorporating a guide rail and alignment actuator to facilitate precise movement of a control arm relative to a tank, along with a calibration tool to adjust the position and orientation of the tank and arm, ensuring accurate alignment and positioning during the printing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a robotic arm is used to position and orient the build plate, then the printing system can handle complex objects, but the position and orientation accuracy deteriorates due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide rail as an intermediary component between the robotic arm and the build plate. The guide rail provides a fixed reference frame that mediates the positioning process, allowing the robotic arm to move the build plate while the guide rail ensures accurate alignment with the resin tank. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by decoupling the versatility of robotic movement from the precision requirement of positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces pure robotic arm positioning with a hybrid system that incorporates a mechanical guide rail. The guide rail provides passive mechanical constraints that ensure accurate positioning without requiring complex active control from the robotic arm. This substitution of mechanical guidance for purely robotic positioning resolves the accuracy problem while maintaining versatility.
2Ease of operation
If the robotic arm moves freely to position the build plate, then operation flexibility is improved, but alignment accuracy with the resin tank deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail provides dynamic guidance that allows the build plate to move freely during positioning while maintaining alignment constraints. The system transitions from static rigid positioning to dynamic guided movement, enabling operational flexibility without sacrificing alignment accuracy. The guide rail adapts to the movement while providing continuous alignment feedback.
3Device complexity
If no alignment mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but printing accuracy deteriorates due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rail serves as a simple intermediary component that provides alignment functionality without adding significant system complexity. Rather than implementing complex active alignment systems with sensors and actuators, the patent uses a passive mechanical guide rail that inherently provides alignment guidance, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
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 system enhances the accuracy of object printing by reducing misalignments and defects, allowing for the production of intricate and elongated objects with high precision.
Implementation Method 1
curing portions of a light curable photopolymer resin layer by layer, one layer at a time, within a printing area of a tank filled with the photopolymer resin. A curing device, such as an ultraviolet light source, is projected through a transparent substrate or bottom wall of the tank curing each layer of the object
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional printing system includes a tank, a guide rail, an arm, a rigid base, and a light source. The tank contains a liquid photopolymer resin. The guide rail is mounted externally of the tank. The arm is movably connected to the guide rail. The arm is configured to be movable relative to the tank along the guide rail. The rigid base is connected to the arm. The light source is configured to emit light to the tank to form an object on the rigid base.