Centralized Control for Additive Manufacturing Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current production systems for selective laser sintering or laser melting require manual intervention for manufacturing, unpacking, assembly, post-processing, and transport, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for separate control devices and lack of automation.
Innovation Solution
A centralized production plant control device interacts with construction devices, removal stations, post-processing stations, and transport means to automate the production process, including self-propelled transport systems and electronic coding for tracking components, allowing for centralized control and monitoring of building material availability and production steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual intervention is used for manufacturing, unpacking, assembly, post-processing, and transport steps, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and automation level deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate control devices for construction devices, removal stations, post-processing stations, and transport means are merged into a single centralized control device. This consolidation reduces the overall number of control systems while maintaining full automation across all production steps, directly resolving the contradiction between automation extent and device complexity.
2Loss of time
If separate control devices are provided for each construction device, then device independence is maintained, but loss of time for operator inquiry and coordination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate control devices into one centralized control device that manages all construction devices, removal stations, post-processing stations, and transport means. This eliminates the need for operators to inquire about device availability across multiple separate systems, directly reducing time loss while consolidating control complexity into a single system.
3Productivity
If construction containers are manually transported between stations, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Transport means are provided with self-propelled capabilities, allowing construction containers to be automatically transported between stations without manual intervention. The transport means can navigate autonomously or be controlled by the centralized control device, enabling continuous production flow and significantly improving productivity while eliminating manual transport operations.
4Loss of time
If construction material is not automatically monitored, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time for material management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized control device is equipped with monitoring capabilities that continuously track construction material levels in construction devices. When material levels become low, the system automatically generates refilling instructions or notifications, enabling timely material replenishment without operator intervention. This feedback mechanism eliminates time loss associated with manual material monitoring while integrating monitoring functionality into the existing control system.
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 enables fully automated or semi-automated production processes, reducing manual labor, simplifying device design, and ensuring timely and efficient production and delivery of components while enhancing quality assurance through centralized monitoring and data logging.
Implementation Method 1
layer by layer, the construction material layer is sintered or melted by a laser beam delivered via a scanner, thereby solidifying it
Implementation Method 2
layer by layer, the construction material layer is sintered or melted by a laser beam delivered via a scanner, thereby solidifying it
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a production plant for the additive manufacturing of components.