Additive Manufacturing Module With Local Cooling and Gas Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current additive generative manufacturing processes face limitations in process speed due to combined systems of protective gas coverage and cooling, leading to heating and oxidation issues, particularly with metallic materials, and existing cooling methods are inefficient or require high technical effort.
Innovation Solution
A machining module with a protective gas supply device and a fluid supply device that provides targeted cooling and protective gas coverage around the molten material, allowing for precise control of cooling and oxidation prevention, eliminating the need for hermetic sealing of the construction space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the component is cooled by submersion into a cooling liquid, then the cooling effect is strong, but the technical effort is very high and the component becomes wet requiring drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a gas flow cooling system instead of liquid submersion. A cooling gas nozzle delivers forced cooling gas flow to the melt pool area, achieving effective cooling without liquid contact, thus avoiding the complexity of liquid handling, sealing, and drying systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cooling gas as an intermediary substance to transfer heat away from the melt pool. The gas acts as a heat sink and cooling medium, providing the cooling effect without the drawbacks of liquid cooling systems
2Temperature
If a strong gas flow is used for cooling, then the cooling effect is sufficient, but the protective gas effect is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gas delivery system into separate functional zones: the protective gas supply device covers the construction space with inert gas, while the cooling gas nozzle is positioned specifically in feed direction behind the processing beam to deliver cooling gas only to the melt pool area. This segmentation allows both protective and cooling gas functions to operate simultaneously without mutual interference
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling gas is applied locally only to the melt pool area and surrounding region in feed direction behind the processing beam, rather than throughout the entire construction space. This localized application provides sufficient cooling effect while minimizing disturbance to the protective gas atmosphere
3Reliability
If the construction space is hermetically sealed for protective gas coverage, then oxidation prevention is complete, but the technical effort for sealing is considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protective gas coverage function from requiring hermetic sealing of the entire construction space. Instead, it uses a protective gas supply device with an outlet opening that directly delivers protective gas to the melt pool area and surrounding region, achieving oxidation prevention without the need for complex sealing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The protective gas supply device creates its own localized protective atmosphere around the melt pool through direct gas delivery. The system serves itself by generating the protective environment exactly where needed without relying on external sealing structures
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 selective precise cooling and complete surface coverage during additive layer manufacturing, improving process efficiency and preventing oxidation, while maintaining a dry environment and reducing technical effort in sealing the construction space.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid supply device (3) for supplying at least one fluid to a position located on or immediately adjacent to a melt bath formed on the surface of the molded body just being manufactured
Implementation Method 2
a protective gas supply device (11), which has an outlet opening arranged annularly about the material supply device (9)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a machining module for a device for producing a molded metal body (1) by means of an additively generative manufacturing process. A sheet, wire, or pulverulent metal-containing starting material (2) is melted and applied in layers, thereby forming the molded body (1). According to the invention, in addition to a material supply device (9), the machining module comprises a protective gas supply device (11), which has an outlet opening arranged annularly about the material supply device (9), and a fluid supply device (3) for supplying coolant (4), having one or more nozzles (10) which are arranged spatially adjacent to the material supply device (9) such that the surface of the molded body (1) can be supplied with the coolant (4) in points or in a partial manner directly adjacent to the melt bath at one position or along a curve, each of which can be specified in a variable manner.