Extruder Nozzle Inner Element for 3D Printed Building Geometries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extruder systems for 3D printing of building materials lack the flexibility to produce complex geometries and integrated features like slots, holes, or channels without post-processing, limiting the freedom in designing structural parts.
Innovation Solution
An extruder system with a controllable extruder device and inner elements that allow for variable adjustment of the strand cross-section, enabling non-vertical extrusion and the creation of complex geometries, such as slots and channels, during the extrusion process, without deforming the material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing extruder systems are used for 3D printing of building materials, then basic extrusion is achieved, but flexibility to produce complex geometries and integrated features is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The extruder device is divided into functional segments: a movable inner element that can be positioned at different locations within the nozzle, and a stationary outer nozzle structure. This segmentation allows the inner element to define different flow cross-sections and create various geometries (slots, holes, channels) by moving to predetermined positions, thereby increasing adaptability without requiring complete redesign of the entire extrusion system.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner element is designed to be movable within the nozzle along the extrusion direction, transitioning between a first position (for basic extrusion) and a second position (for creating integrated features). This dynamic repositioning capability enables the same extruder device to produce multiple geometry types and integrated features without changing the overall device structure, resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If post-processing is used to create slots, holes, or channels in building parts, then complex geometries are achieved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by creating slots, holes, and channels directly during the extrusion process itself, rather than requiring subsequent post-processing steps. The movable inner element defines the flow cross-section to form these integrated features as the building material is extruded, eliminating the need for separate machining or drilling operations and significantly reducing production time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the geometry creation function and integrated feature formation into a single extrusion operation. By combining the inner element positioning mechanism with the extrusion process, the system simultaneously produces the building part geometry and integrates features like slots and channels in one continuous process, eliminating the time loss associated with sequential post-processing operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the inner element is fixed in position, then device simplicity is maintained, but ability to create variable strand cross-sections is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The movable inner element is nested within the stationary nozzle structure, with the inner element positioned inside the flow passage. This nested configuration allows the inner element to move independently to define different inner edges of the flow cross-section without requiring the entire nozzle structure to be complex or removable, achieving variable strand cross-sections while maintaining relative structural 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
Enables the production of building parts with integrated features like slots and channels directly during the printing process, enhancing design freedom and reducing post-processing requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an extruder device (1) for extruding a strand (ST) of building material (BS)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an extruder device (1) for extruding a section (ST) of construction material (BS) for 3D printing a construction part (BWT), wherein the extruder device (1) has: an extruder nozzle (5), said extruder nozzle (5) having an outlet opening (2) for discharging the section (ST) of construction material (BS) out of the extruder device (1); and at least one inner element (30a, 30b), wherein the at least one inner element (30a, 30b) is designed to be arranged within the extruder nozzle (5) in order to define an inner edge (35I) of a flow cross-section (35) of construction material (BS) within the extruder nozzle (5) so as to specify an inner edge (4I) of a cross-section (4) of the construction material (BS) section (ST) which has exited the extruder device.