Additive Manufacturing Bottom Element with Sieve Funnel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current additive manufacturing systems, particularly 3D printers, face challenges with component sterility and contamination due to print residues and small parts falling into the air system, which can affect component quality, especially in medical applications.
Innovation Solution
A bottom element for the additive manufacturing system featuring a funnel with a sieve or grid element is introduced, allowing for the collection and easy removal of print residues and contaminants, while maintaining air system functionality through the use of a detachable sieve and connection to an air suction element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional additive manufacturing system is used without a filtration system, then the device complexity is low, but component sterility and air system cleanliness deteriorate due to print residues and contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
A bottom element with integrated funnel and sieve acts as an intermediary component between the build chamber and air system. The funnel collects print residues and contaminants, while the sieve filters particles from the air stream, preventing contamination without requiring complex active filtration systems
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom element utilizes the existing air flow and gravity to automatically collect and filter contaminants. The air suction element creates negative pressure that draws contaminants into the funnel, where they are trapped by the sieve, enabling self-cleaning operation without additional energy input
2Manufacturing precision
If a sieve is added to the bottom element, then manufacturing precision and component quality improve by filtering contaminants, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The sieve is integrated into the bottom element structure, merging the filtration function with the existing support structure. This combines multiple functions (support, contamination collection, and particle filtration) into a single component, minimizing additional complexity while improving manufacturing precision
3Object-affected harmful factors
If print residues are allowed to accumulate in the air system, then ease of operation is maintained, but harmful factors increase due to contamination of moving parts and print quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom element extracts and removes contaminants from the air stream before they can enter the air system and affect moving parts. The funnel and sieve combination actively separates and removes harmful particles, preventing contamination while maintaining smooth operation of the air system
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 effectively prevents contaminants from influencing the air system and print quality by collecting and removing residues, ensuring cleaner operation and improved component sterility.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sieve and/or grid element is arranged in the area of the funnel
Implementation Method 2
at least one funnel and/or air outlet, wherein at least one sieve and/or grid element is arranged in the area of the funnel
Implementation Method 3
connection to an air suction element
Data Source
AI summary
An additive manufacturing system, in particular a 3D printer, including a bottom element. The bottom element includes at least one funnel and/or air outlet, wherein at least one sieve and/or grid element is arranged in the area of the funnel and a plate element is arranged opposite the sieve.