Airflow Component for Additive Manufacturing Wiping Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
In additive manufacturing systems, build material particles often collect on the agent distributor and wiping element, causing operational issues such as nozzle blockages and reducing the effectiveness of the wiping process, which can lead to inconsistent quality in three-dimensional object production.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an airflow component proximate the service location generates airflow across the wiping element to reduce build material collection, combined with a wiping element made of materials like textile or synthetic rubber to effectively remove build material from the agent distributor's nozzle surface without causing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wiping element is used to remove build material from the agent distributor, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but build material collects on the wiping element itself, reducing its effectiveness over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful accumulation of build material from the wiping element by introducing airflow that directs particles away from the service location. This separates the cleaning function from the contamination accumulation, allowing the wiping element to maintain effectiveness without becoming clogged with build material particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using airflow (gas flow) to remove build material particles from the service location and wiping element. The airflow component creates a pneumatic field that transports particles away from the wiping element, preventing accumulation and maintaining cleaning effectiveness throughout operation.
2Reliability
If the agent distributor is frequently stopped for cleaning, then nozzle blockages are reduced, but manufacturing productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously removing build material particles from the service location before they can accumulate on the agent distributor nozzles. This preventive approach eliminates the need for frequent stopping and cleaning interruptions, maintaining both nozzle reliability and manufacturing productivity simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by implementing continuous airflow that operates throughout the additive manufacturing process. This continuous particle removal mechanism allows the wiping element and agent distributor to function without interruption, eliminating downtime for cleaning and maintaining constant manufacturing throughput.
3Reliability
If build material collects on the wiping element, then the wiping element becomes saturated, but this saturation is not detected until cleaning effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to detect build material particles in real-time within the airflow path near the wiping element. This continuous monitoring provides immediate feedback about particle accumulation, allowing the system to respond before the wiping element becomes saturated and cleaning effectiveness deteriorates.
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 build material collection on the wiping element and agent distributor, minimizing nozzle obstructions and improving the consistency and quality of three-dimensional object production by maintaining the integrity of the additive manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
an airflow component disposed proximate the service location. In operation, the at least one airflow component generates airflow in a direction from the service location to the build area of the apparatus and across the wiping element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Examples Include apparatuses and methods for generating three- dimensional objects. An example apparatus comprises an agent distributor and a wiping element disposed at a service location. The apparatus further comprises at least one airflow component disposed proximate the service location to generate airflow across the wiping element to reduce build material collection on the wiping element.