3D Printing Building Space Partitioning for Powder Efficiency

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing three-dimensional object manufacturing devices with large building spaces are inefficient for producing small objects due to excessive powder usage and inflexibility, making them costly and unsuitable for manufacturing objects of varying dimensions.

Innovation Solution

The device is modified by partitioning the building space into smaller, separate areas, allowing for reduced powder input and parallel processing of different powders, with a simple and cost-effective design that can be easily retrofitted or removed, enabling efficient manufacturing of objects with different dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a large building space is used for manufacturing three-dimensional objects, then the device can accommodate larger objects and maintain structural stability, but the device becomes too large and inflexible for manufacturing small objects, and excessive powder is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different object dimensionsVSAvoidpowder consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The building space is divided into multiple separate building areas using partition walls, allowing the device to process small objects in dedicated small areas rather than requiring the entire large building space. This segmentation enables reduced powder consumption while maintaining the capability to manufacture objects of varying dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of substance

If the building space is downsized for manufacturing small objects, then powder consumption is reduced, but the device cannot accommodate larger objects and loses versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepowder consumptionVSAvoidadaptability to different object dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The building space is divided into multiple separate building areas using partition walls, allowing the device to process small objects in dedicated small areas rather than requiring the entire large building space. This segmentation enables reduced powder consumption while maintaining the capability to manufacture objects of varying dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition walls can be configured to create different building area sizes, allowing the device to dynamically adapt between small and large building areas depending on the manufacturing requirements, thus maintaining versatility while optimizing powder consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device is modified to accommodate multiple building areas, then flexibility and adaptability improve, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for different manufacturing configurationsVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The building space is divided into multiple separate building areas using partition walls, allowing the device to process small objects in dedicated small areas rather than requiring the entire large building space. This segmentation enables reduced powder consumption while maintaining the capability to manufacture objects of varying dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The same building space infrastructure supports multiple building areas that can be configured for different manufacturing needs, allowing a single device to perform multiple functions (manufacturing small objects, large objects, or parallel processing) without requiring separate dedicated devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If a single large building area is used, then device structure remains simple, but economic efficiency decreases when manufacturing small objects due to excessive powder usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoideconomic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The building space is divided into multiple separate building areas using partition walls, allowing the device to process small objects in dedicated small areas rather than requiring the entire large building space. This segmentation enables reduced powder consumption while maintaining the capability to manufacture objects of varying dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 allows for the economic manufacture of objects with varying dimensions using less powder, improving the efficiency and flexibility of the device, reducing waste and operational costs, and enabling the processing of multiple materials concurrently.

Implementation Method 1

Devices for manufacturing three-dimensional objects by layerwise solidification of a powdery building material, for example in the shape of a laser sintering machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser sintering: Selective Laser Sintering

Implementation Method 2

an irradiation system including a laser (6) as a source of electromagnetic radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS8845319B2Means for modifying a building space and device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object having means for modifying a building space

Publication Date: 2014.09.30 EOS GMBH ELECTRO OPTICAL SYST

AI summary

A means for modifying a building space for a device for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by layerwise solidification of a powdery building material at the locations corresponding to the object in the respective layers comprises one or several small supports (32) or one or several building space partitioning elements (20) on a building platform (2), thereby the device has one or several small building areas (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), in which the powdery material may be efficiently used and different powder materials may be processed.