Powder-Bed Build Table Control Under Increasing Powder Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing apparatuses face challenges in achieving highly accurate position control of the table due to deviations caused by the increasing weight of powder material, particularly in large objects or multi-part manufacturing, which affects the accuracy of the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a control unit that corrects the position of the table in the up-down direction by considering the posture changes of the drive mechanism and support structure due to the weight of the powder material, using a preset weight of powder material and a control unit to adjust the position command to maintain accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the table position is controlled based on the thickness of layered powder material, then the table position can be adjusted during manufacturing, but the table position deviates from the target position due to increasing weight of powder material
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives position detection information from the position detection unit and uses this feedback to calculate and apply position correction to the table, compensating for deviations caused by powder material weight
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary position correction by calculating the expected position deviation based on powder material weight and applying correction before the actual manufacturing process begins
2Productivity
If a large amount of powder material is supplied onto the table for large objects or multi-part additive manufacturing, then the manufacturing capability is improved, but the table position is likely to deviate from the target position
Solution Approach 1:
The position detection unit continuously monitors table position and the control unit uses this feedback information to calculate and apply corrections based on the cumulative weight of powder material, maintaining accuracy even as manufacturing capability increases
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from simple thickness-based positioning to weight-based position correction, allowing the table position to be maintained accurately despite increasing powder material supply
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 approach enables highly accurate position control of the table, improving the overall accuracy of the additive manufacturing process by maintaining the table's position close to the target despite increasing load.
Implementation Method 1
a beam is emitted onto a powder material spread over a table to cure the powder material
Data Source
AI summary
[Object] To achieve highly accurate position control of a table and improve the accuracy of additive manufacturing in powder-bed additive manufacturing.[Solution][SOLUTION TO PROBLEM] An additive manufacturing apparatus 1 includes: a table 12 on which a powder material M is to be spread over; a material supply mechanism 14 configured to supply a preset weight of the powder material to the table; a drive mechanism 13 configured to support the table and move the table in an up-down direction; a support structure 16 configured to support the drive mechanism and support the table via the drive mechanism; a control unit 17 configured to control the position of the table in the up-down direction at the time of supply of the powder material to the table. The control unit 17 is configured to correct the position of the table in the up-down direction at the time of supply of the powder material to the table based on a posture change of at least one of the drive mechanism 13 and the support structure 16 due to the weight of the powder material M spread on the table 12.