3D Printing Roller Scraping with Segmented Collection Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3D printing, the semi-solid state of forming material in the collection tank leads to low mobility and pileup, hindering the scraping process and resulting in poor printing quality due to material accumulation between the roller and scraping tool.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printing apparatus with a sweeping tool that moves along the collection tank to guide forming material from a first collection tank to a second collection tank, reducing material pileup and maintaining the effectiveness of the roller in flattening material on the forming platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the scraping tool continuously scrapes the forming material adhered on the roller, then the roller can maintain its flattening effect on the forming platform, but the forming material in the collection tank piles up between the roller and the scraping tool, decreasing the scraping effect and aggravating the flattening effect
Solution Approach 1:
The collection tank is divided into two separate tanks: a first collection tank positioned near the roller to receive freshly scraped material, and a second collection tank positioned away from the roller to store material that has been swept from the first tank. This segmentation prevents material accumulation between the roller and scraping tool while maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A sweeping tool is introduced as an intermediary device that bridges the first and second collection tanks. The sweeping tool periodically sweeps forming material from the first collection tank to the second collection tank, preventing material pileup in the first tank and maintaining the effectiveness of the scraping operation.
2Quantity of substance
If the forming material in the collection tank remains stationary, then the collection tank can accumulate material, but the semi-solid state material has low mobility and is liable to be piled up, decreasing scraping effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The sweeping tool is configured to move between the first and second collection tanks, dynamically transferring material. This movement prevents the forming material in the first collection tank from remaining stationary and accumulating to problematic levels, thereby maintaining scraping effectiveness while still allowing material accumulation in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sweeping tool performs periodic sweeping actions to transfer material from the first collection tank to the second collection tank. This periodic action prevents continuous pileup of semi-solid material in the first tank, maintaining the scraping operation's effectiveness while managing material accumulation systematically.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1D
AI summary
A 3D printing apparatus including a forming assembly, a scraping tool, a first collection tank, a sweeping tool and a second collection tank is provided. A roller of the forming assembly is adhered with a forming material during a forming process. When the roller is rotated, the scraping tool removes the forming material adhered on the surface of the roller. The scraping tool is disposed between the first collection tank and the roller. The forming material removed from the surface of the roller is guided into the first collection tank. The sweeping tool is configured to sweep the forming material in the first collection tank to a position of the first collection tank. The second collection tank is connected to the position of the first collection tank to receive the forming material swept to the position by the sweeping tool.