3D Shaping Nozzle Pressure Control With Branch-Path Plunger Reset
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional shaping devices face issues with plunger operations due to limited space, leading to incomplete or inefficient shaping processes, particularly when continuous pulling of the plunger is required.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional shaping device with a nozzle, position changing unit, discharge amount adjusting unit, pressure adjusting unit, and a plunger, controlled by a control unit, which allows for precise control of material discharge and plunger movement to ensure consistent shaping of continuous linear objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the plunger is continuously pulled to improve material absorption, then the shaping speed is improved, but the plunger runs out of space to move further
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into a main flow path and a branch flow path. The plunger operates in the branch flow path to absorb material, while the main flow path continues to supply material to the nozzle. This segmentation allows the plunger to have dedicated movement space in the branch path without interrupting the continuous material flow through the main path.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from linear continuous pulling to periodic pulsed pulling. By changing the plunger movement from continuous to periodic (absorption operation followed by return operation), the system gains temporal dimension for plunger movement, allowing the plunger to reset position during the return phase while maintaining continuous shaping through coordinated timing.
2Ease of operation
If the plunger position is reset between shaping sections, then the next absorption operation can start immediately, but the shaping process must be temporarily stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The main flow path maintains continuous material flow to the nozzle throughout the entire process. While the plunger performs periodic absorption and return operations in the branch path, the main flow path ensures uninterrupted material supply, eliminating the need to stop the shaping process for plunger resetting.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger performs absorption operations in advance during low-demand periods or between shaping sections, storing material in the branch flow path. This preliminary absorption ensures that material is ready for the next shaping section without interrupting the continuous flow through the main path.
3Productivity
If the plunger moves quickly to maintain shaping speed, then productivity is improved, but material delivery precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger movement is made dynamic and adaptive rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts plunger movement speed and timing based on real-time shaping requirements, allowing fast movement when material storage is sufficient and slower, more precise movement when accurate material delivery is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors shaping progress and material flow conditions, using this feedback to adjust plunger operation timing and speed. This closed-loop control ensures that plunger movements are synchronized with shaping requirements, maintaining both speed 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 device enables efficient and responsive shaping by preventing material drips and improving material delivery, ensuring consistent plunger positions at the start and end of shaping sections, thereby enhancing the quality and continuity of shaped objects.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure adjusting unit including a branch flow path coupled to the flow path between the discharge amount adjusting unit and the nozzle opening, and a plunger configured to move in the branch flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a nozzle configured to discharge a shaping material from a nozzle opening toward a stage; a position changing unit configured to change a relative position between the nozzle and the stage; a discharge amount adjusting unit configured to adjust a discharge amount by changing an opening area of the flow path; a pressure adjusting unit including a branch flow path coupled to the flow path between the discharge amount adjusting unit and the nozzle opening, and a plunger configured to move in the branch flow path; and a control unit configured to control the position changing unit, the discharge amount adjusting unit, and the pressure adjusting unit. The control unit is configured to execute an operation of absorbing the shaping material into the branch flow path by moving the plunger and an operation of delivering the absorbed shaping material to the branch flow path when shaping one partial shaped object having a continuous linear shape, and control movement of the plunger such that positions of the plunger at a start and an end of a shaping section of the partial shaped object match with each other.