3D Shaping Apparatus Viscosity Control via Temperature Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional shaping apparatuses face challenges in maintaining high dimensional accuracy due to layer cooling and hardening issues, which can lead to shape collapse when forming adjacent layers, as the heat capacity of thin layers decreases, causing the nozzle to contact hardened portions.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional shaping apparatus that includes a stage, an ejection section, a position changing section, a temperature adjusting section, a temperature sensor, and a control unit that adjusts the temperature and viscosity of the material to ensure the layer is kept at a predetermined viscosity, preventing collapse by maintaining the distance between the nozzle and the hardened layer through controlled temperature adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the thickness of the layer is reduced to achieve high dimensional accuracy, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the heat capacity of the layer decreases causing the layer to cool and harden easily
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit heats the lower layer before the upper layer is formed, in advance preparing the thermal environment to prevent cooling and hardening of the upper layer during shaping
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the lower layer by applying heat, which indirectly maintains the temperature of the upper layer during shaping, preventing viscosity increase and hardening
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lower layer is heated to maintain temperature during upper layer shaping, then the temperature stability is improved, but the upper layer may still cool and harden during shaping
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor detects the temperature of the upper layer in real-time, and the control unit adjusts the heating output based on this feedback to maintain the upper layer temperature within a range that prevents hardening
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces passive thermal conduction heating with active feedback-controlled heating, where temperature sensor data drives dynamic adjustment of heating power to maintain precise temperature control
3Productivity
If the nozzle contacts the hardened portion during shaping, then the shaping process continues, but the shape of the three-dimensional shaped article collapses
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor provides continuous feedback on the upper layer temperature, allowing the control unit to adjust heating in real-time to maintain material viscosity and prevent nozzle contact that would cause shape collapse
Solution Approach 2:
The system preliminarily heats the lower layer and maintains upper layer temperature through feedback control before shaping operations complete, preventing material hardening that would lead to nozzle contact and shape collapse
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 apparatus effectively prevents shape collapse by ensuring the viscosity of the material remains within a predetermined range, allowing for accurate and complete formation of three-dimensional shaped articles without nozzle contact, enhancing the precision and integrity of the shaping process.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature adjusting section that adjusts a temperature of the material ejected to the stage
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the material ejected to the stage
Implementation Method 3
a storage section that stores first relational data representing a relationship between the temperature of the material and a viscosity of the material
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional shaping apparatus shapes a first shaped article by ejecting a material from an ejection section, forms a first portion of a second shaped article by adjusting an output of a temperature adjusting section while measuring a temperature of the first shaped article by a temperature sensor so that a viscosity of the first shaped article calculated based on the temperature of the first shaped article measured by the temperature sensor and first relational data representing a relationship between a temperature and a viscosity of the material becomes a predetermined viscosity or less, and ejecting the material from the ejection section, and forms a second portion that is a portion adjacent to the first portion of the second shaped article by ejecting the material from the ejection section while adjusting a temperature of the first portion by the temperature adjusting section with the adjusted output.