Deformable Reservoir for Additive Manufacturing Material Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current additive manufacturing systems face challenges in efficiently transporting, storing, and recycling large volumes of build materials, particularly powders, which can lead to material waste and inefficiencies in the printing process.
Innovation Solution
The development of a build material container system that includes a deformable reservoir with a gas inlet structure and a support structure, allowing for efficient distribution and recycling of build materials, and a method for constructing and filling these containers to minimize waste and ensure continuous supply to 3D printing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If build materials are transported and stored in large volumes, then the supply to 3D printing systems is ensured, but material waste and inefficiencies increase
Solution Approach 1:
The build material container is divided into an external casing and an internal reservoir that can be separately removed. This segmentation allows the reservoir to be extracted from the casing for refilling or replacement, enabling precise control over material supply and reducing waste from over-storage or spillage during handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal reservoir acts as an intermediary between the build material supply source and the 3D printing system. It provides a controlled interface for material transfer, allowing the system to receive material in manageable quantities through the outlet structure, thereby preventing excess material waste while ensuring continuous supply.
2Quantity of substance
If build materials are stored in large volumes, then continuous supply to 3D printing systems is ensured, but transportation and storage safety challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the internal reservoir from the external casing, the system allows material to be stored in a contained, protected environment during transportation. The reservoir can be securely positioned within the casing, reducing risks of spillage or contamination while maintaining the ability to supply large volumes of material.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir is designed as a replaceable component that can be discarded or refilled when depleted. This approach eliminates the need for complex cleaning and sterilization processes associated with reusable containers, reducing contamination risks during storage and transportation while maintaining continuous material supply capability.
3Loss of substance
If build materials are efficiently distributed and recycled, then waste is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separable design of the external casing and internal reservoir simplifies the recycling process. The reservoir can be easily removed and replaced when depleted, allowing for straightforward material replacement without complex disassembly. This modular approach reduces waste from damaged or contaminated containers while keeping the system relatively simple to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system facilitates easy discarding of depleted reservoirs and recovery of the external casing for reuse. This approach reduces material waste by maximizing the utilization of the container structure while allowing efficient replacement of the internal reservoir, balancing waste reduction with operational simplicity.
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 the safe transportation and storage of large volumes of build materials, reduces waste, and ensures a continuous supply to 3D printing systems, improving the efficiency and sustainability of additive manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable reservoir (112) with an outlet structure (121)
Implementation Method 2
a gas inlet structure (1110)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 1D~1F
Figure 1G~1I
AI summary
Examples of the present disclosure relate to a build material container for a three-dimensional printing system. The container has an external casing and a plurality of reservoirs within the external casing. Each reservoir has an outlet to supply build material stored within the reservoir.