3D Printing Fiber Feed Device for Reinforced Support Structures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing three-dimensional objects with improved material properties, especially for supporting structures, face challenges in achieving sufficient fiber reinforcement and material adhesion, particularly in rapid prototyping and small batch production, where fiber content and reinforcing effects are often inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that feed an endless fiber element simultaneously with the solidifiable material during discharge, allowing the fiber to be embedded and form a bond, enabling the creation of support structures and eliminating the need for additional supports, with the fiber feed device capable of separate or integrated control for varied orientations and material combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fiber elements are fed separately from the solidifiable material, then the fiber reinforcement effect is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fiber feed device with the discharge unit into an integrated system. The fiber feed device is positioned such that fiber elements are fed directly to the outlet opening where solidifiable material is discharged, allowing simultaneous discharge of both materials through a unified mechanism. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall manufacturing system while maintaining effective fiber reinforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet opening of the discharge unit serves as an intermediary zone where fiber elements and solidifiable material converge. By positioning the fiber feed device to deliver fibers directly to this outlet opening, the system creates a natural integration point that combines two separate material streams without requiring complex additional mechanisms, thus reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving reinforcement.
2Strength
If high pressure and high melting temperatures are applied to discharge drops, then the material adhesion is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the discharge parameters by feeding fiber elements simultaneously with the solidifiable material through the outlet opening. This change in material delivery parameters allows the fibers to be incorporated during the discharge process itself, potentially reducing the need for excessively high pressure and temperature conditions that would otherwise be required to achieve adequate adhesion and reinforcement. The simultaneous feeding optimizes the energy efficiency of the process.
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 enhances the mechanical strength and manufacturing efficiency of three-dimensional objects by ensuring consistent fiber reinforcement and improved material properties, allowing for complex geometries and reduced production time.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the adhesive forces of the material, this requires high pressure and high melting temperatures for the material, especially since the drop should have a size of 0.01 to 0.05 mm³
Implementation Method 2
an endless fiber element is fed to the solidifiable material at the same time as the material is discharged from the discharge unit, so that the fiber element can be embedded in the material when it is discharged and form a bond with it
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for producing a three-dimensional object (50) made of a material that can be solidified and that in the initial state is either present as a liquid or can be liquefied. For this purpose, the material that can be solidified is introduced into a material reservoir (18) in the liquid phase of said material. From there, the material is generatively discharged via an outlet opening of a discharge unit (12) in the direction of an object holder (13) for the three-dimensional object (50) to be produced. The object holder (13) or the three-dimensional object (50) and the discharge unit (12) can be moved relative to one another within the space. By feeding at least one continuous fiber element (61) at a distance from the outlet opening (12a) for the material that can be solidified to the object (50) and embedding said element at the three-dimensional object to be produced into the discharged material to be solidified simultaneously with discharging the material that can be solidified, the generative method provides for a method and a device for producing a three-dimensional object with improved material properties.