Automated Filter Unit Transfer for Additive Manufacturing Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The maintenance of filter units in additive manufacturing apparatuses is laborious and time-consuming, leading to downtimes due to the need for manual detachment and reconnection, which complicates processes like cleaning and exchanging the filter chamber, especially in hard-to-access areas.
Innovation Solution
An automated positioning device is introduced to transfer the filter unit between connected and disconnected states, allowing for partial or full automation of the connection and disconnection process, using a lifting unit with a toggle lever mechanism and drive means to facilitate the movement and attachment/detachment of the filter unit, reducing manual labor and downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the filter unit is manually detached and reconnected for maintenance, then the filter chamber can be cleaned or exchanged, but the process becomes laborious and time-consuming, causing downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The filter unit is designed with movable connection means that can automatically transition between connected and disconnected states. The positioning device enables dynamic reconfiguration of the filter unit's connection status without manual intervention, allowing rapid maintenance while minimizing downtime of the additive manufacturing apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device automatically performs the detachment and reconnection of the filter unit without requiring service personnel to manually detach connection means. The system self-manages the filter unit's connection state, enabling maintenance operations to proceed automatically and reducing labor requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the filter unit is permanently connected to the apparatus, then maintenance access is improved, but the connection means are arranged in hard-to-access areas requiring manual detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the filter unit and the connection means in hard-to-access areas. It automatically manages the connection and disconnection operations, eliminating the need for service personnel to physically access difficult areas to detach or attach connection means.
3Ease of repair
If manual detachment of connection means is required for filter unit maintenance, then the filter unit can be separated for cleaning, but service personnel must access difficult areas and perform laborious operations
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device automatically performs the detachment and reconnection of the filter unit without requiring service personnel to manually operate in difficult-to-access areas. The system self-manages the connection state changes, enabling filter chamber maintenance while eliminating manual labor and improving ease of operation.
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 automation significantly reduces downtime and simplifies maintenance by enabling the filter unit to be permanently connected to the apparatus, allowing for easier and faster switching between connected and disconnected states, thus improving maintenance efficiency and reducing labor for service personnel.
Implementation Method 1
a lifting unit (2) with a toggle lever mechanism (3) adapted to transfer the filter unit (4) between a disconnected state in which the filter unit (4) is not connected to a stream of process gas (18) to a connected state in which the filter unit (4) is connected to the stream of process gas (18)
Implementation Method 2
The positioning device comprises a lifting unit adapted to lift the filter unit from the disconnected state to the connected state and adapted to lower the filter unit from the connected state to the disconnected state
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Apparatus (17, 24) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material which can be consolidated by means of an energy source, with a filter unit (4) adapted to filter residues from at least one stream of process gas (18), characterized by at least one positioning device (1, 25, 28) adapted to at least partly automatically transfer the filter unit (4) or at least a part of the filter unit between a disconnected state in which the filter unit (4) is disconnected from the stream of process gas (18) to a connected state in which the filter unit (4) is connected to the stream of process gas (18).