3D Printing Color Application Head for Multi-Color Objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D printing technologies are limited in producing objects with multiple colors, as they typically use colored materials that restrict objects to a single color and are impractical for changing materials during printing, making it expensive and inefficient to create objects with varied colors.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a color application head that moves in coordination with the print head and platform, using a digital model to apply color to the object as it is being printed, allowing for the creation of objects with multiple colors by controlling the color application based on the 3D model's coordinates and surface information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If colored materials are used in conventional 3D printing, then objects can be printed in color, but the objects are restricted to a single color and material changing during printing is impractical and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the printing function and coloring function into two independent modules: a 3D print head for depositing material and a color application head for applying color. This segmentation allows the printing process to use neutral material while the coloring process provides color variety, eliminating the need for complex material changing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The color application head serves multiple functions: it can apply different colors to different surfaces, change colors between applications, and work on already-printed objects. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple colored materials, providing color versatility without material changing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple colored materials are used to create objects with varied colors, then color variety is achieved, but the process becomes expensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system prints the complete 3D object structure first using a single neutral material, then applies color in a subsequent step. This preliminary action of printing the base structure separately from the coloring process improves efficiency by eliminating the need to switch materials during printing, while still achieving color variety through the color application head.
3Productivity
If a color application head is added to the 3D printing apparatus, then objects with multiple colors can be created efficiently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The color application head is integrated into the existing 3D printing apparatus structure, sharing common components such as the platform, control system, and coordinate positioning mechanisms. This merging approach allows the system to produce colorful objects efficiently while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by reusing existing infrastructure.
4Ease of manufacture
If color is applied after the object is printed, then material simplicity is maintained, but additional processing time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The color application process is designed to follow immediately after printing without interruption, using the same platform and positioning system. The object remains on the platform while the color application head processes it, maintaining continuous useful action and minimizing idle time, thus reducing the overall production time despite the additional coloring step.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, computer readable media, and methods for printing of 3D objects in color are disclosed. In general, a 3D object may be produced and colored by a 3D printer using the same digital 3D model. The digital model for a desired 3D object may be revised to include a process for coloring the object by the 3D printer. In one embodiment, this may involve coloring to the object after it has been made. In an alternative embodiment, color may be added as the object is being made. Because the 3D model provides knowledge of the surface, contours and all the coordinates of the 3D object being printed, the object can be colored using the same digital model.