Additive Manufacturing Receptacle with Adjustable Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current additive manufacturing apparatuses face challenges in scaling for commercial production due to limitations in throughput, as they are constrained by the sequential nature of distributing build material, depositing binder material, and curing processes, which results in overall cycle times being longer than the sum of individual step cycle times.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an actuator assembly with a recoat head and a print head that are independently actuatable along parallel motion axes, allowing for simultaneous and overlapping cycles of distributing build material, depositing binder material, and curing, while also incorporating a build receptacle with adjustable heating elements to optimize the additive manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sequential process steps (distributing build material, depositing binder material, curing) are used in additive manufacturing apparatuses, then manufacturing precision and process control are maintained, but productivity is limited due to longer overall cycle times
Solution Approach 1:
The additive manufacturing apparatus is divided into multiple independent process modules: a recoat head for distributing build material, a print head for depositing binder material, and a curing system. Each module has its own actuator and operates independently, allowing parallel execution of process steps that were previously sequential, thereby reducing overall build cycle time while maintaining manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The recoat head distributes build material in advance before the print head deposits binder material. This preliminary action allows the printing process to begin while material distribution is still in progress, creating overlapping cycles that reduce total build time without compromising the quality of material deposition
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple process steps are performed sequentially to ensure quality control, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but the overall build cycle time exceeds the sum of individual step cycle times
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action by overlapping the cycle times of different process steps. The recoat head and print head operate in coordinated parallel, with material distribution beginning before binder deposition is complete. This continuous operation eliminates idle time between steps while maintaining precise control over each process parameter, thereby improving throughput without sacrificing manufacturing 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
This solution reduces the overall build cycle time to less than the sum of individual step cycle times, enhancing the throughput and efficiency of the additive manufacturing process by enabling concurrent execution of process steps and precise temperature control within the build chamber.
Implementation Method 1
The build receptacle may further comprise a plurality of heating elements disposed around the build chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Build receptacles for additive manufacturing apparatuses are disclosed. The build receptacle may comprise a housing comprising a sidewall at least partially enclosing a build chamber. A build platform may be positioned within the build chamber. A position of the build platform may be slidably adjustable within the build chamber in a vertical direction from a lower position to one of a plurality of upper positions and from the one of the plurality of upper positions to the lower position. The build receptacle may further comprise a plurality of heating elements disposed around the build chamber.