Dual-Layer Gas Flow Nozzle for Additive Manufacturing Window Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal powder additive manufacturing apparatuses face increased inert gas consumption and difficulty in maintaining window cleanliness due to the need for large quantities of inert gas to prevent fumes from adhering to optical components, especially when the window size is increased, such as with multiple galvano scanners.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a supply nozzle that generates two layers of airflow with different speeds, where a high-speed airflow prevents fumes from adhering to the window and a low-speed airflow captures and removes fumes, reducing the need for excessive inert gas usage and maintaining cleanliness effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If large quantities of inert gas are supplied to prevent fumes from adhering to the window, then the window cleanliness is maintained, but the inert gas consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply nozzle is divided into multiple nozzle units arranged in an array, with each nozzle supplying gas to a specific zone. This segmentation allows targeted fume removal only where needed near the window, rather than supplying large quantities of gas throughout the entire chamber, thus reducing overall inert gas consumption while maintaining window cleanliness.
Solution Approach 2:
The inert gas supply is concentrated locally at the window region through the nozzle array configuration. Each nozzle is positioned to create localized gas flows that directly counteract fume migration toward the window. This local quality approach ensures effective fume prevention at the critical window area without the need for excessive gas supply throughout the chamber.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the window size is increased to accommodate multiple galvano scanners, then the functional capability is improved, but the difficulty in maintaining window cleanliness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The window protection system is segmented into multiple independent nozzle units, each responsible for a specific zone of the window. This allows the system to effectively protect larger window areas by distributing the gas supply across multiple localized positions, matching the expanded functional capability of multi-scanner configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle array system provides universal protection across windows of various sizes and configurations. By arranging multiple nozzles in an array pattern, the same basic design can accommodate different window dimensions and support multiple galvano scanners, making the solution universally applicable to expanded functional requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If inert gas is supplied from multiple ports to recover fumes and protect the window, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple nozzle units are merged into a single integrated array structure that functions as a unified gas supply system. This merging approach maintains the effectiveness of multi-point gas supply for comprehensive fume protection while reducing overall system complexity through standardized, modular nozzle design and uniform array configuration.
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 approach reduces inert gas consumption and effectively prevents fume adhesion to optical components, even with larger windows, thereby lowering operational costs and ensuring cleanliness without the need for excessive gas release.
Implementation Method 1
a supply nozzle (6) that generates two layers of airflow with different speeds
Implementation Method 2
a high-speed airflow prevents fumes from adhering to the window
Implementation Method 3
a low-speed airflow captures and removes fumes
Implementation Method 4
a high-speed airflow prevents fumes from adhering to the window
Implementation Method 5
a low-speed airflow captures and removes fumes
Data Source
AI summary
An additive manufacturing apparatus of the disclosure includes: a supply port that supplies an inert gas to a chamber; a supply nozzle which is attached to the supply port and releases two layers of airflow having different speeds toward the window; and a discharge port that discharges the inert gas from the chamber. The supply nozzle has: a first nozzle member having an inlet surface connected to the supply port; a net-like member which has a plurality of through holes and is attached in a manner of covering a portion of a lower part of an outlet surface of the first nozzle member; and a second nozzle member that is attached to the upper side of the outlet surface of the first nozzle member.