Stacked Build Plate Sheets with Thermal Release Glue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heated deposition three-dimensional printers face inefficiencies in printing multiple objects due to manual removal of objects from build plates, which can damage the printed items and delay the printing process.
Innovation Solution
A build plate system with a stack of sheets, where each sheet is attached and released using thermally sensitive glue, mechanical latches, tabs, hot-melt adhesive, or springs, allowing for automated removal by the nozzle's thermal or mechanical action, eliminating the need for additional powered mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual removal of printed objects from build plates is used, then the printed objects can be removed from the printer, but the process causes delays and risk of damage to the printed items
Solution Approach 1:
The build plate is segmented into multiple detachable sheets stacked together. Each sheet can be independently removed from the stack after printing, allowing continuous printing on subsequent sheets without manual intervention. The sheets are held together by glue portions that can be selectively activated
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle itself serves dual functions: it prints objects and also performs the sheet removal operation. By heating the glue portions through the nozzle, the system eliminates the need for separate powered mechanisms or manual scraping, making the removal process self-service and integrated into the existing printing operation
2Ease of operation
If manual scraping or chemical solvent is used to remove objects, then the object can be removed from the build plate, but the process risks damaging the printed object
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical scraping action is replaced with thermal activation of the glue portions. The nozzle heats the glue portions to a temperature where they lose adhesion, allowing the sheet to be gently pulled away from the stack without any mechanical contact with the printed object, thereby eliminating the risk of damage
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive properties of the glue portions are changed by altering the temperature parameter. The glue is applied at a temperature where it provides strong adhesion during printing, then heated to a higher temperature where it becomes non-adhesive, enabling safe and easy sheet removal
3Reliability
If the first layer of hot deposited material binds strongly to the build plate, then the object is prevented from sliding or warping during printing, but the object becomes difficult to remove manually
Solution Approach 1:
The build plate is divided into multiple sheets that are easily separable from each other. The strong binding is maintained between the printed object and its sheet, while the sheets themselves are held together by removable glue portions, allowing the object to remain stable during printing but easy to access by simply removing the sheet from the stack
Solution Approach 2:
The glue portions act as an intermediary between the sheets. They provide temporary holding during the printing process to maintain stability, then can be selectively deactivated through heating to allow easy separation of sheets for object removal, without affecting the strong bond between the printed material and the sheet
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 efficient and damage-free switching between printed objects, reducing manual intervention and minimizing delays in multi-object printing by automating the sheet removal process.
Implementation Method 1
Once an object is printed onto a top-most sheet of the stack, the nozzle of the three-dimensional printer is positioned in thermal contact with the glue portion, applying heat to the glue portion by the nozzle to release the top-most sheet from the stack.
Implementation Method 2
Another removal means utilizes the properties of hot-melt adhesive. It is operated by bonding the top-most sheet to the nozzle of the three dimensional printer when the nozzle comes into contact with the hot melt adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A build plate system for a heated deposition three-dimensional printer includes a plurality of sheets, the plurality of sheets arranged in a stack on a build plate and a glue portion between each of the plurality of sheets. The glue portion is configured to hold a sheet to the stack and release the sheet from the stack when receiving heat from a nozzle of the three-dimensional printer. A method for operating a build plate system includes the steps of printing an object onto a top-most sheet of a plurality of sheets arranged in a stack, positioning the nozzle of the three-dimensional printer in thermal contact with the glue portion, applying heat to the glue portion by nozzle to release the top-most sheet from the stack, and moving the top-most sheet off of the stack into a target area using different methods of placing the nozzle into contact with the top-most sheet from the stack.