Combined Coating Illumination Assembly Additive Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing apparatuses for three-dimensional objects require separate coating and illumination processes, leading to increased nonproductive times and suboptimal construction times due to their design configuration.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a combined static coating and illumination assembly, where the coating and illumination devices are fixed relative to the construction plane, allowing simultaneous coating and illumination processes during the horizontal movement of the carrying element, thereby reducing nonproductive times and optimizing construction time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate coating and illumination processes are used, then the apparatus can perform material application and selective solidification functions, but nonproductive times increase and construction time is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the coating device and illumination device into a single integrated assembly that is fixed relative to the construction plane. This merging allows both material application and selective solidification to occur simultaneously during the horizontal movement of the carrying element, eliminating the sequential execution required in separate process designs and thereby reducing nonproductive times and optimizing construction time
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly enables continuous useful action by allowing coating and illumination processes to occur concurrently without interruption. As the carrying element moves horizontally, the coating device continuously applies material while the illumination device simultaneously solidifies the material in the desired pattern, maintaining continuous productive operation throughout the manufacturing cycle
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 simultaneous conduct of coating and illumination processes reduces downtime and optimizes construction time by allowing continuous formation and solidification of construction material layers, enhancing the efficiency of the additive manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
selective illumination and consequent selective solidification of construction material layers
Implementation Method 2
consequent selective solidification of construction material layers
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional object by successive layer-by-layer selective illumination and thus selective solidification of construction material layers formed in a construction plane, consisting of a solidifiable construction material by at least one energy beam, comprising a housing structure, and a combined coating and illumination assembly firmly arranged or formed on the housing structure of the apparatus, comprising a coating device provided for applying the construction material into the construction plane and for forming construction material layers to be solidified in the construction plane, and an illumination device provided for the selective illumination of respective construction material layers formed in the construction plane by the coating device, and a carrying device.