3D Surface Printing Apparatus with Dynamic Nozzle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing apparatuses struggle with precise printing on three-dimensional (3D) surfaces due to variations in electric field distribution caused by the surface shape, making it difficult to maintain consistent printing conditions.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus that uses a machine learning-based printing predictive model to adjust printing conditions in real-time, taking into account ejecting environment information such as 3D surface shape, ink viscosity, and electric field distribution, to control the impact path of droplets and achieve precise printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a constant distance between the nozzle and the 3D surface is maintained, then the printing process is simple to control, but printing precision deteriorates due to varied electric field distribution caused by surface shape variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the nozzle position adjustable and controllable in real-time. The nozzle is positioned at different heights and angles depending on the local surface geometry being printed, allowing the system to adapt to 3D surface variations rather than maintaining a fixed constant distance. This dynamic positioning enables consistent printing precision across uneven surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a sensor system that detects the actual surface geometry in real-time and provides this information to the control system. The control system then adjusts the nozzle position and printing parameters based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains printing precision despite surface variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrohydrodynamics (EHD) is used to eject droplets, then ultrafine droplets and high viscosity ink can be ejected, but printing precision on 3D surfaces deteriorates due to electric field variation caused by surface shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines EHD droplet ejection with dynamic nozzle positioning. The nozzle is actively adjusted to maintain optimal distance and angle relative to the local surface being printed, compensating for the electric field variations that occur on 3D surfaces. This allows EHD to maintain its advantage of ejecting ultrafine droplets and high viscosity ink while achieving precision on complex geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes multiple parameters including nozzle position (height and angle), voltage applied to the EHD electrode, and droplet ejection timing based on the detected surface geometry. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system compensates for electric field variations and maintains consistent droplet placement precision across 3D surfaces.
3Manufacturing precision
If machine learning-based predictive model is implemented, then printing precision on 3D surfaces is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using machine learning to pre-calculate optimal printing paths and parameters for given 3D surface geometries. The system analyzes the surface model in advance, determines the best nozzle positions and ejection parameters for each location, and generates a optimized printing plan before actual printing begins. This reduces real-time computational complexity while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computational intermediary layer (the machine learning predictive model) that sits between the surface geometry input and the physical printing process. This intermediary pre-processes the geometry data, predicts optimal printing parameters, and translates complex 3D surface information into simplified control instructions for the hardware, reducing the burden on the real-time control system.
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 enables precise printing on 3D surfaces by dynamically adjusting printing conditions based on real-time environmental data, improving printing accuracy and consistency compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a printing apparatus based on electrohydrodynamics (EHD) provides ejection energy by applying electrostatic force to a liquid surface of ink formed at the end of a nozzle
Implementation Method 2
a printing apparatus based on electrohydrodynamics (EHD)
Implementation Method 3
the droplets ejected by the force of an electric field are affected by change in their surrounding electric field during flight
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a printing apparatus for a 3D surface, which performs printing by ejecting a droplet onto a 3D surface and controlling an electric field on an impact path of the droplet, the printing apparatus including: a ejecting environment information provider configured to provide ejecting environment information between a nozzle and an impact point; and a controller configured to predict a result of printing on an actual substrate by accumulating previous printing results according to printing conditions and the ejecting environment information into a database, and perform the printing on the 3D surface while changing the printing conditions provided by the database based on the ejecting environment information provided by the ejecting environment information provider.