Additive Manufacturing Cooling via Dynamic Refrigerant Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing systems face challenges in efficiently cooling build tables to high preheat temperatures without increasing the size or cost of refrigerant circulation devices, leading to prolonged cooling times and potential manufacturing inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
An additive manufacturing apparatus featuring a refrigerant circulation device that adjusts the supply refrigerant temperature based on the set temperature of the build table, using a control device to manage the cooling process, allowing efficient cooling even with standard cooling capacity without increasing the number of refrigerant circulation devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a refrigerant circulation device with high cooling capacity is introduced to cool the build table to high set temperatures, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the introduction cost and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant circulation device dynamically adjusts its cooling capacity based on the set temperature of the build table. When high set temperatures are used, the device operates at higher cooling capacity; when lower set temperatures are used, it operates at reduced capacity. This dynamic adaptation allows a single device to handle various cooling requirements without requiring multiple devices or oversized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the refrigerant circulation device according to the required build table temperature. By adjusting parameters such as refrigerant flow rate, compressor speed, or heat exchanger conditions, the device can achieve high cooling capacity when needed while maintaining efficient operation at lower cooling demands, thus avoiding the need for oversized equipment.
2Productivity
If a refrigerant circulation device with high cooling capacity is introduced to cool the build table to high set temperatures, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the introduction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant circulation device is designed to perform multiple functions across different operating conditions. A single device can handle cooling requirements for various build table set temperatures (e.g., 120°C, 140°C, 200°C) by adjusting its operating parameters. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices or expensive upgrades, reducing the overall introduction cost while maintaining high cooling efficiency when required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the set temperature during heating of the build table is relatively high, then the preheat temperature suitability for certain materials is improved, but the cooling time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant circulation device dynamically adjusts its cooling capacity based on the set temperature. When high set temperatures are used to suit specific materials, the device automatically operates at higher cooling capacity to compensate for the increased temperature differential, thereby reducing cooling time. This dynamic response ensures that cooling time is optimized for each specific manufacturing condition rather than being fixed or excessively long.
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
Enables efficient cooling of build tables to desired temperatures during high-temperature manufacturing processes, reducing cooling times and maintaining manufacturing accuracy while minimizing the size and cost of refrigerant circulation systems.
Implementation Method 1
a heater that heats the build table to a set temperature
Implementation Method 2
a first cooler that cools the build table
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerant circulation device, adjusting a temperature of a refrigerant and circulates the refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
circulates the refrigerant between the refrigerant circulation device and the first cooler
Data Source
AI summary
An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a build table on which a material layer is formed by supply of material powder, and an irradiator that irradiates the material layer with an energy beam and forms a solidified layer. A temperature adjuster includes a heater that heats the build table to a set temperature and a first cooler that cools the build table. A refrigerant circulation device adjusts a temperature of a refrigerant and circulates the refrigerant between itself and a first cooler. A control device is configured to control a supply refrigerant temperature being the temperature of the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant circulation device based on the set temperature.