Additive Manufacturing Gas Flow Shielding Against Component Deposits
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Solution Overview
Problem
In additive manufacturing devices, deposits form on functional components due to fluid flows loaded with process-related impurities, impairing their function, particularly in tubular flow guide elements.
Innovation Solution
A secondary fluid flow with reduced contamination is interposed between the primary fluid flow and functional components, flowing directly along their surfaces to prevent or reduce deposit formation, using a flow device that generates distinct flow properties to minimize mixing with the primary flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a fluid flow is used to remove process-related contaminants from the process chamber, then contaminant removal is improved, but deposits form on functional components impairing their function
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid flow system is segmented into multiple zones: a first fluid flow for contaminant removal and a second fluid flow for protective shielding. This segmentation allows each flow to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between contaminant removal and deposit prevention
Solution Approach 2:
A second fluid flow acts as an intermediary between the contaminant-laden first fluid flow and the functional components. This intermediate flow creates a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between contaminants and functional components, thereby preventing deposits while allowing the first flow to continue its contaminant removal function
2Device complexity
If a single fluid flow is used for both contaminant removal and component protection, then system complexity is reduced, but the flow cannot simultaneously perform both functions effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The flow device is designed to generate two distinct fluid flows from a single system architecture. The segmentation of flow functions (removal vs. protection) is achieved through separate flow paths and control mechanisms within the unified flow device, maintaining manageable complexity while enabling dual functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The flow device is designed with multi-functionality, capable of generating both a contaminant removal flow and a protective shielding flow. This universal design allows one flow device structure to perform multiple protective and cleaning functions, reducing overall system complexity compared to using separate devices
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 approach effectively shields functional components from contamination, maintaining their operational integrity by creating a protective flow that prevents or reduces deposit accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a first fluid flow which, in particular circulatory, flows along at least one functional component of the device, the first fluid flow being loaded with process-related, in particular particulate, impurities
Implementation Method 2
a second fluid flow is additionally generated via the flow device, the second fluid flow flowing between the first fluid flow and the at least one functional component directly along the surface of the at least one functional component
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
Device (1) for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects (2) by successive layer-by-layer selective exposure and the associated successive layer-by-layer selective solidification of building material layers from a building material (3) that can be solidified by means of an energy beam (4), comprising a flow device (11) which is configured to form a first fluid flow (FS1) flowing, in particular in a cyclical manner, along at least one functional component of the device (1), which can be loaded or is loaded with process-related impurities, in particular particulate impurities, wherein the flow device (11) is configured to form a second fluid flow (FS2), wherein the second fluid flow (FS2) flows between the first fluid flow (FS1) and the at least one functional component of the device (1) directly along the surface of the at least one functional component of the device (1).