Electrohydrodynamic 3D Printing Nozzle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jet printers and electrohydrodynamic liquid droplet jet apparatuses face difficulties in precision printing on curved 3-dimensional surfaces due to viscosity limitations and nozzle clogging, and are not suitable for large-size or complex 3D shapes.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using electrohydrodynamic force with a stage, nozzle, power supply, and controller that obtains and processes 3D surface information to align and control the printing path, allowing for precise ink jetting on 3D surfaces by converting 2D printing path information into 3D, and adjusting ink droplet jetting intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional ink jet printing is used, then printing process is simple, but printing precision on 3D surfaces deteriorates due to liquid droplet flow down on curved surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning to obtain 3D surface information before printing, and pre-calculates the printing path to account for surface curvature. This preliminary action enables the system to compensate for droplet flow issues by adjusting the printing path in advance, thereby maintaining printing precision on 3D surfaces without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the printing path based on the scanned 3D surface information. The controller modifies the nozzle movement trajectory in real-time to follow the curved surface contours, ensuring that ink droplets are deposited precisely on the 3D surface despite variations in surface geometry. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining simplicity and achieving precision on complex surfaces.
2Manufacturing precision
If electrohydrodynamic liquid droplet jet apparatus is used, then high-viscosity ink printing is enabled, but precision printing on curved 3D surfaces deteriorates due to difficulty in controlling droplet placement
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from 2D printing path information to 3D printing path information by incorporating surface height data. The controller calculates the printing path in three-dimensional space, accounting for surface curvature and elevation changes. This dimensional expansion enables precise droplet placement on curved 3D surfaces while maintaining adaptability to various shapes, resolving the contradiction between precision and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses scanned 3D surface information as feedback to adjust the printing path and droplet ejection parameters. By continuously referencing the actual surface geometry, the controller can compensate for variations in surface curvature and ensure precise droplet placement. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to different 3D shapes while maintaining high printing precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If 2D printing path information is used, then printing process is straightforward, but printing quality on 3D surfaces deteriorates due to inability to account for surface curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary conversion of 2D printing path information to 3D printing path information by integrating surface height data from scanning. This pre-processing step accounts for surface curvature and elevation changes before the actual printing begins, thereby improving printing quality on 3D surfaces without requiring complex real-time calculations during printing, thus balancing quality and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that translates 2D printing path information into 3D printing paths by incorporating surface geometry data. This intermediary processing layer converts simple 2D coordinates into adjusted 3D trajectories that account for surface curvature, thereby improving printing quality while keeping the overall system architecture relatively simple and avoiding direct complex 3D path generation.
4Productivity
If nozzle movement speed is increased to reduce process time, then productivity improves, but printing precision deteriorates due to reduced control accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the nozzle movement speed based on the local surface geometry and printing path requirements. In regions with high curvature or complex features, the speed is automatically reduced to maintain precision, while in flat or simple regions, the speed is increased to improve productivity. This dynamic speed adjustment resolves the contradiction between productivity and precision by adapting the movement parameters to the specific printing context.
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
Enables precision printing on complex 3D surfaces with high-viscosity inks, improving printing quality and reducing process time by maintaining precise control over nozzle movement and ink distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid droplet jet apparatus applying power to opposing electrodes to generate electrohydrodynamic force, and then jetting conductive liquid droplet by the generated electric field
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is an apparatus for printing on a 3-dimensional surface using electrohydrodynamic force, the apparatus having a stage where a print object is placed; a shape obtainer storing surface information of the print object; a nozzle receiving ink and discharging the received ink to a surface side of the print object; a power supply supplying power to the nozzle; and a controller receiving the surface information of the print object from the shape obtainer and controlling a movement of the nozzle or the stage. Thus, an apparatus for printing on a 3-dimensional surface using electrohydrodynamic force is provided, which is capable of performing a precision printing process on a 3-dimensional surface.