3D Printing Apparatus with Integrated Moving Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional three-dimensional object building apparatuses, such as SLM machines, prolong the powder delivering and smoothing processes, leading to increased cycle time and inert gas consumption, thereby increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional object building apparatus with a powder delivering unit, a powder flattening device, and a light beam radiating unit that move integrally with a cover, allowing for efficient powder layer formation and sintering, reducing the ambient gas usage and cycle time by confining the inert gas supply to a smaller area above the powder layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the whole chamber for object building is filled with inert gas atmosphere, then the object building process can be protected from oxidation, but the consumption amount of inert gas increases and the cost for object building increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the object building chamber into a powder layer forming area and a light beam radiating area. The cover structure segments the inert gas supply zone, restricting it to only the powder layer area rather than filling the entire chamber. This segmentation allows inert gas to be supplied only where needed (powder layer area) while leaving other areas (light beam path, completed object area) without inert gas, thereby reducing overall inert gas consumption while maintaining oxidation protection where required
2Ease of manufacture
If the powder delivering unit and powder flattening device operate separately from the light beam radiating unit, then each unit can be optimized independently, but the cycle time of object building increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the powder delivering unit, powder flattening device, and light beam radiating unit into a single integrated moving assembly. This combining allows all three operations to be performed simultaneously as one coordinated unit moves across the build area, eliminating the sequential delays that would occur if they operated separately. The integrated design enables the powder to be delivered and flattened while the light beam processes the previous layer, significantly reducing cycle time
3Productivity
If the powder delivering unit and powder flattening device are configured integrally with the light beam radiating unit, then the cycle time of object building is shortened, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the moving assembly as a universal platform that performs multiple functions: powder delivery, powder flattening, and light beam radiation. By creating a multi-functional integrated unit that can perform all three operations, the system reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate dedicated units for each function. The universal moving assembly eliminates the need for multiple independent drive systems, support structures, and control mechanisms that would be required if the units remained separate
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 enables faster object building, reduced gas consumption, improved precision, and a more compact apparatus design, as the powder delivering and flattening units are integrated with the light beam radiating unit, allowing for stable focal point maintenance and efficient gas management.
Implementation Method 1
a light beam radiating unit that is disposed above the object building area and radiates a light beam on the powder layer to sinter or melt solidify the powder for building an object
Implementation Method 2
a light beam radiating unit that is disposed above the object building area and radiates a light beam on the powder layer to sinter or melt solidify the powder for building an object
Data Source
AI summary
The three-dimensional object building apparatus includes a powder delivering unit that delivers a powder on an object building area, a powder flattening device that flattens the powder delivered from the powder delivering unit to form a powder layer, and a light beam radiating unit that is disposed above the object building area and radiates a light beam on the powder layer to sinter or melt solidify the powder for building an object. The three-dimensional object building apparatus also includes a transferring mechanism that moves the light beam radiating unit in three-dimensional directions, and a shroud that moves integrally with the light beam radiating unit and surrounds a space above an area of the powder layer that is smaller than the object building area around a radiation of the light beam. The powder delivering unit and the powder flattening device move integrally with the light beam radiating unit.