3D Printing Build Material Container with Vibration and Aspiration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing technologies face challenges in efficiently storing and recycling build materials, particularly in ensuring complete removal and reuse of powder-based build materials due to compaction and adherence issues, which limits the capacity and effectiveness of integrated storage facilities and disposable containers.
Innovation Solution
A build material container system with a collapsible reservoir and reinforcement structure, featuring a build material outlet and inlet structure, allows for efficient removal and recycling of build materials through aspiration and vibration, enabling the storage and reuse of large quantities of virgin and used materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If integrated storage facilities and disposable containers are used to store build material, then storage capacity is provided, but complete removal and reuse of powder-based build material is limited due to compaction and adherence issues
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates a vibration mechanism that applies mechanical oscillations to the powder build material during removal operations. This vibration loosens compacted material and reduces adherence to container walls, enabling more complete extraction of build material and improving recycling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an aspiration mechanism that creates negative pressure to suction build material from the container. This pneumatic approach, combined with vibration, overcomes compaction forces and enables thorough removal of powder material that cannot be easily extracted by gravity alone
2Ease of operation
If disposable containers are used, then ease of operation is improved, but storage capacity and material reuse efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed to be reusable rather than disposable. The removal mechanism with vibration and aspiration enables complete extraction of build material, allowing the container to be emptied and refilled multiple times. This transforms a single-use container into a reusable one, increasing storage capacity utilization and reducing waste
Solution Approach 2:
The container incorporates integrated removal mechanisms (vibration and aspiration connections) that enable automated or semi-automated build material extraction. This self-service capability simplifies the emptying process while maintaining the ability to store large quantities of material
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
The system facilitates the efficient removal and recycling of build materials, maximizing storage capacity and minimizing material loss, thereby optimizing the use of build materials in 3D printing processes.
Implementation Method 1
The container may comprise a vibration mechanism to vibration the build material during the removal of the build material from the container
Implementation Method 2
loosens and fluidises compacted powder build material
Implementation Method 3
The container is to allow build material to be removed from the container through a build material outlet structure... The container may comprise a vibration mechanism to vibration the build material during the removal of the build material from the container
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a 3D printing build material container (31) comprising a reinforcement structure (34), a collapsible reservoir (33) to hold build material, a build material outlet structure (313), at least one first inlet structure (314, 316), and a second inlet structure (315). The reinforcement structure encloses an airtight space and the reservoir is disposed within the reinforcement structure. The build material outlet (313) structure is to allow build material to exit the reservoir. The at least one first inlet structure (314, 316) is to allow recycled build material to enter the reservoir and to selectively allow a gas to enter the reservoir. The second inlet structure (315) is to selectively allow a gas to enter a space between the reservoir and the reinforcement structure.