Coating Device Cleaner for Layered Construction Plants
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plants for layered construction of molded bodies face issues with sticky construction materials causing adherence to metering shafts and uneven layer application, leading to potential fractures and quality defects, especially when using time-consuming processes.
Innovation Solution
A plant equipped with a horizontally displaceable coating device and a stationary cleaner with a wiper element to remove adhering construction material from the metering shaft, ensuring consistent layer application and quality by integrating a vibration device for improved flowability and a collection system for excess material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sticky construction material is used for layered construction, then the molded body can be formed with complex shapes, but the material adheres to the metering shaft causing uneven layer application and potential fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device performs preliminary cleaning action on the metering shaft before new construction material is applied. The wiper element removes adhering material in advance, preventing uneven layer application and ensuring consistent material flow for the next layer deposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is integrated into the coating device itself, allowing the system to clean its own metering shaft without external intervention. The wiper element is automatically positioned and actuated during the coating process to maintain cleanliness of the metering shaft.
2Strength
If sticky construction material is used, then good bonding between layers is achieved, but the material accumulates on the metering shaft leading to fractures and quality defects
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device converts the harmful effect of sticky material accumulation into a beneficial cleaning action. The wiper element uses the sticky nature of the material to ensure thorough removal, preventing fractures while maintaining the bonding properties of the material when properly applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper element extracts and removes the harmful adhering construction material from the metering shaft surface. This extraction prevents material accumulation that would lead to fractures, while the cleaned shaft ensures proper material flow and layer bonding.
3Productivity
If the coating device is continuously operated without cleaning, then productivity is maintained, but construction material adheres to the metering shaft causing uneven application
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning action is integrated into the continuous coating operation, allowing both coating and cleaning to occur without interrupting productivity. The wiper element is actuated during the coating cycle, maintaining metering shaft cleanliness continuously throughout the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is merged with the coating function in a single integrated device. The wiper element and coating mechanism work together in sequence, combining material deposition and shaft cleaning into one continuous operational cycle without requiring separate cleaning steps.
4Manufacturing precision
If a cleaning device is added to remove adhering material, then layer application uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is designed as a multi-functional integrated system where the wiper element serves both cleaning and material redistribution functions. The same mechanical structure that moves the coating material also actuates the cleaning action, reducing the need for separate dedicated cleaning components.
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper element acts as an intermediary component between the metering shaft and the collected material. This single intermediary element performs the cleaning function by transferring adhering material from the shaft to the collection point, simplifying the overall cleaning mechanism.
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 enables uniform and consistent application of construction material layers, even with sticky materials, preventing adherence issues and ensuring high-quality molded body production by maintaining the cleanliness of the metering shaft and efficient material flow.
Implementation Method 1
a wiper element (610) which is received underneath the metering shaft (410) of the coating device (400) in a construction material collection container (620)... making a relative movement between the wiper element and the metering shaft
Implementation Method 2
integrating a vibration device for improved flowability
Data Source
AI summary
A plant (100) for the layered construction of a molded body comprises a coating device (400) and a coating device cleaner (600). The coating device is movable horizontally across a construction field for applying a uniform layer of construction material to be solidified to the construction field and has an elongate metering shaft (410), at the lower side of which a longitudinal slot (412) is provided for outputting the construction material as the metering shaft (410) moves across the construction field. The coating device cleaner (600) is mounted on a construction frame (150) of the plant and serves for cleaning the metering shaft (410). The coating device cleaner (600) comprises an elongate wiper element (610) that is received under the metering shaft (410) of the coating device (400) at least in part in a construction material collection container (620).