3D Cosmetic Printing Piston Extrusion and Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D printing technologies are not suitable for producing three-dimensional cosmetic articles from build materials comprising cosmetic formulas, particularly due to the softness and unique properties of materials like silicones and waxes, which cause them to flow, harden, and cool differently than traditional plastics, making it difficult to print thick layers effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device equipped with an extruder that uses a piston to advance and retract a pre-formed stick of build material, allowing for the precise extrusion of cosmetic formulas in thick layers, combined with a heating element for melting and a cooling system for proper hardening, enabling the creation of three-dimensional cosmetic articles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If known 3D printing technology is used to print cosmetic build material, then printing can be performed, but the build material flows and hardens differently causing poor print accuracy in thick layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling temperature parameters during the printing process. The build material is heated to a specific temperature range to maintain it in a molten state throughout the printing process, preventing premature hardening. This temperature control allows the cosmetic material to be extruded in thick layers while maintaining print accuracy and preventing the material from flowing or hardening during deposition.
2Productivity
If cosmetic build material is printed in thick layers, then printing effectiveness is improved, but the soft and malleable nature of the material causes it to flow and lose shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter to keep the build material in a molten state during printing, which maintains its malleability for easy extrusion in thick layers while preventing premature solidification that would cause shape loss. The heated chamber maintains optimal temperature to ensure the material remains workable during the printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by controlling the build material to remain in the liquid/molten phase during the printing process. The material is heated above its melting point and maintained in this phase throughout extrusion and deposition, allowing it to be shaped in thick layers without flowing or hardening. The material transitions to solid phase only after deposition when it cools and sets, ensuring shape retention.
3Ease of manufacture
If cosmetic build material is heated for printing, then extrusion is enabled, but ingredients in the formula may separate prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the temperature to a specific range that is sufficient to melt and extrude the cosmetic build material while remaining below the temperature that would cause ingredient separation or degradation. The heated chamber maintains optimal temperature parameters to enable extrusion of thick layers while preserving formula stability and preventing premature separation of ingredients.
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 device allows for accurate and precise printing of cosmetic articles with a wider glass transition temperature range, maintaining the integrity of cosmetic materials and preventing premature separation of formula ingredients, resulting in higher print accuracy and effectiveness with soft, malleable cosmetic materials.
Implementation Method 1
combined with a heating element for melting
Implementation Method 2
combined with a cooling system for proper hardening
Data Source
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AI summary
A device printing a three dimensional cosmetic article from a build material including a cosmetic formula has an extruder, a build plate, a controller and a positioning system. The controller is programmed to instruct the positioning system to position the extruder relative to the build plate. The extruder includes a piston extrusion system. The build material is provided to the extruder as a pre-formed stick. The build material is extruded onto a substrate to form the article. The build plate includes a sizing system for receiving substrates of various sizes.