Build Platform Guiding Arrangement for Additive Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing systems face challenges with thermal expansion issues when using large build platforms at high temperatures, leading to distortion, mechanical jamming, and failures in the actuating arrangement, which affects the precision and accuracy of the build platform's movement.
Innovation Solution
A build platform guiding arrangement that includes a pillar and bush mounting system with angularly displaceable linear actuators to compensate for thermal expansion, preventing angular displacement while allowing unconstrained expansion and contraction, and featuring a secondary build platform configuration to manage thermal stresses effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large build platform is used at high temperatures, then the productivity and functionality of the additive manufacturing apparatus is improved, but thermal expansion causes distortion, mechanical jamming, and failures in the actuating arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The build platform is divided into a primary build platform and a secondary build platform. The secondary build platform is coupled to the primary build platform through mounting means that allow relative movement, enabling the secondary platform to compensate for thermal expansion while the primary platform maintains precise positioning. This segmentation allows the system to handle large build volumes at high temperatures without compromising actuating arrangement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting means connecting the primary and secondary build platforms are designed to allow relative movement between the platforms. This parameter change (from fixed to movable connection) enables the system to accommodate thermal expansion dynamically, preventing mechanical jamming and failures while maintaining productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the build platform is constrained to prevent angular displacement, then manufacturing precision is improved, but thermal expansion is restricted causing stress and potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting means are designed to provide dynamic constraints that prevent angular displacement of the secondary build platform relative to the primary platform, while simultaneously allowing linear expansion. The coupling mechanism adapts to thermal conditions, maintaining precision without restricting natural thermal expansion, thereby preserving structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the build platform system have different degrees of freedom. The secondary build platform is constrained in angular movement to maintain precision, while the mounting means between primary and secondary platforms allow linear expansion. This localized differentiation of constraints optimizes both precision and structural integrity.
3Device complexity
If conventional guiding systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but they are insufficient to guide large build platforms accurately under thermal expansion effects
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding system extends beyond conventional single-platform guidance by adding a second build platform coupled through specialized mounting means. This dimensional addition creates a multi-level guiding structure that can accommodate thermal expansion in the horizontal dimension while maintaining vertical positioning accuracy, achieving high precision without excessive complexity.
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 solution effectively maintains the build platform in a parallel orientation relative to the X-Y plane, reducing the impact of thermal expansion on the actuation system and ensuring accurate and precise movement of the build platform, even at high temperatures, thus enhancing the reliability and accuracy of the additive manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
the linear actuators are angularly displaceable relative to a support structure of the additive manufacturing apparatus and the build platform to compensate for relative lateral movement between ends of the actuators as a result of differential thermal expansion of the build platform and the support structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an additive manufacturing apparatus which includes a platform guiding arrangement 10 having a build platform 12 and a mounting arrangement 14 comprising guiding elements 16, 18 mounted to the build platform 12. The mounting arrangement 14 is configured to permit displacement of the build platform 12 in a vertical or Z direction whilst permitting unconstrained thermal expansion and contraction of the build platform in the horizontal or X-Y plane. The guide elements 16, 18 abut against adjacent sides of the build platform 12 to inhibit angular displacement about a vertical axis and permit unconstrained thermal expansion and contraction in the X-Y plane.