3D Printing Nozzle String Spacing to Prevent Powder Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional three-dimensional printing devices face issues where powder material soars and attaches to the nozzle of the ejection head due to the curing liquid, leading to nozzle clogging and curvature of the flying direction, caused by the interference of air flows generated by closely spaced liquid drops.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves arranging nozzle strings with a density of 1200 dpi or lower and spacing them 5 mm or longer apart in the main scanning direction, preventing powder material attachment by minimizing air flow interference and updraft generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle density is increased to improve printing resolution, then the printing precision is improved, but the air flow interference increases causing powder material to soar and attach to nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement parameters of the nozzle strings by setting specific distances between adjacent nozzle strings (5mm or longer in the main scanning direction, 3mm or longer in the sub scanning direction) and controlling nozzle density (1200 dpi or lower), which reduces air flow interference while maintaining printing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension for nozzle arrangement by configuring multiple nozzle strings in both main scanning and sub scanning directions, transforming the problem from a one-dimensional nozzle line to a two-dimensional nozzle matrix, which allows optimization of both resolution and air flow characteristics
2Device complexity
If the nozzle strings are spaced closer together to reduce device size, then the device complexity is reduced, but the air flow interference increases causing nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the spatial parameters of nozzle string arrangement by establishing specific distance thresholds (5mm in main scanning direction, 3mm in sub scanning direction), which balances device compactness with reliable operation by preventing powder attachment and clogging
3Productivity
If the curing liquid is ejected at high speed to improve printing productivity, then the printing speed is improved, but the air flow updraft increases causing powder material to soar
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sub scanning direction dimension to the nozzle arrangement, creating a two-dimensional nozzle matrix that disperses air flow in multiple directions, thereby reducing the intensity of upward drafts while maintaining high printing speed through coordinated ejection from multiple nozzle strings
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 effectively reduces the attachment of powder material to the nozzles, preventing clogging and maintaining the intended direction of the curing liquid, as demonstrated by reduced powder material attachment even after forming multiple layers.
Implementation Method 1
a head unit that ejects liquid drops of a curing liquid toward a powder material layer
Implementation Method 2
liquid drops of a curing liquid toward a powder material layer to form a cured layer
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional printing device includes a printing tank to accommodate a powder material and including an opening in at least a portion thereof, and an ejector facing the opening of the printing tank to eject a curing liquid to cure the powder material toward the opening. The ejector includes nozzle strings each including nozzles side by side in a first direction. The nozzles each eject the curing liquid and are located in each of the nozzle strings at a density of about 1200 dpi or lower in the first direction. The nozzle strings are spaced away from each other by a distance of about 5 mm or longer in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.