Adjustable Food Printer Nozzle for Continuous Multi-Ink Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in 3D food printing is the need for frequent manual switching of nozzles with different sizes due to varying food ink properties, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the risk of burns from hot nozzles during printing.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle for a food printer with adjustable nozzle blade components and a mechanism to change the opening size dynamically, allowing the use of a single nozzle for different food materials without interrupting the printing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple nozzles with different sizes are used to accommodate different food inks, then the adaptability to various food materials is improved, but the device complexity and operation time increase due to frequent manual switching
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle blade components are designed to be movable relative to each other, allowing dynamic adjustment of the opening size. The nozzle adjusting mechanism enables the same nozzle to adapt to different food ink viscosities and printing requirements by changing the opening dimension, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-size nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
A single nozzle structure is designed to perform multiple functions by adjusting its opening size. The nozzle can handle various food inks with different properties (viscosity, flow characteristics) by modifying the opening dimension, making one nozzle universal for different printing tasks instead of requiring specialized nozzles for each material type.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple nozzles with different sizes are used for different food materials, then the printing precision for various materials is improved, but the loss of time due to frequent nozzle switching increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the nozzle opening size to be changed during the printing process without stopping or replacing the nozzle. This enables continuous printing with varying food materials while maintaining precision, eliminating the time loss associated with manual nozzle switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle can maintain continuous printing operation by adjusting its opening size on-the-fly to accommodate different food materials. The printing process does not need to be interrupted for nozzle changes, ensuring continuity of the useful action (printing) while adapting to different material requirements.
3Device complexity
If a single adjustable nozzle is used for different food materials, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision required for adjusting the opening size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle blade components with movable connections allow for precise adjustment of the opening size. The mechanical design of the movable mount plate and pin-slot arrangements provides controlled, incremental adjustment capability, enabling precise opening dimension changes without requiring complex measurement systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle for a food printer including a nozzle head in fluid communication with an edible ink source and arranged to discharge one or more edible inks, wherein the nozzle head includes a plurality of nozzle blade components being movable relative to each other and an opening formed by the plurality of nozzle blade components through which the edible ink is discharged; and a nozzle adjusting mechanism configured to adjust the relative position of the nozzle blade components whereby the dimension of the opening of the nozzle head is adjustable to discharge edible ink with different dimensions so as to print a food material.