3D Printing Layer Temperature Control for Thermal Stress Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing additive manufacturing devices for three-dimensional objects lack effective, individually adjustable temperature control of building material layers, leading to thermal stresses and limitations in influencing structural properties.

Innovation Solution

A device equipped with a temperature control system using tempering diodes that generate electromagnetic beams for localized temperature control, allowing for adjustable heating and cooling of building material layers, reducing thermal stresses and improving mechanical stability and dimensional accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If static temperature control devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control adaptability and manufacturing precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control adaptabilityVSAvoidtemperature control device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control device is segmented into multiple independent temperature control elements (heating and cooling elements) that can be individually activated. Each element can be controlled separately to provide localized temperature control at different positions of the building material layer, enabling adaptable temperature profiles without requiring a completely complex unified system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature control device transitions from static to dynamic operation by enabling individual activation and deactivation of temperature control elements based on real-time temperature measurements and process requirements. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt temperature profiles to different building materials and process stages, improving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through controlled dynamism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If individually adjustable temperature control is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional accuracyVSAvoidtemperature control device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates temperature sensors that continuously measure the temperature of the building material layer and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback enables closed-loop control where the activation state of individual temperature control elements is adjusted based on actual temperature measurements, achieving high dimensional accuracy and structural property control without requiring overly complex open-loop control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature control device applies local quality control by enabling selective activation of specific heating or cooling elements at specific locations on the building material layer. This localized control allows precise temperature management at different regions (e.g., different thermal properties of different building materials) without requiring complex global control systems, thereby improving manufacturing precision with manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If thermal stresses are not controlled, then device complexity is reduced, but structural properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural propertiesVSAvoidtemperature control device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control device applies preliminary anti-action by proactively controlling temperature gradients during the additive manufacturing process to prevent thermal stress accumulation. By using heating and cooling elements to maintain optimal temperature distributions before critical stress levels develop, the system protects structural properties without requiring complex stress measurement and compensation mechanisms, thereby improving strength with moderate device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 device enables precise, individually adaptable temperature control of building material layers, reducing thermal stresses and enhancing the structural properties of produced objects by allowing variable temperature profiles and ramps.

Implementation Method 1

The temperature control elements are set up to generate an electromagnetic temperature control beam each

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

successive layer-by-layer selective exposure and the associated solidification of building material layers from a building material that can be solidified by means of an energy beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser beam solidification: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP3311983B1Apparatus and process for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 CL SCHUTZRECHTSVERW
  • EP3311983B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3311983B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3311983B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Device (1) and method for the additive production of three-dimensional objects (2) by successive selective exposure in layers and the associated solidification of building material layers made of a building material (3) that can be solidified by means of an energy beam, comprising at least one temperature control device (11) which is used for at least section-wise temperature control of a layer of building material formed in a building level, wherein the temperature control device (11) comprises at least one temperature control element (12), which is set up to generate a, in particular electromagnetic, temperature control beam, wherein the at least one temperature control element (12) is designed as a temperature control diode or such includes.