Flexible 3D Printing Space Cover for Robot-Supported High-Temperature Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing devices with closed printing chambers face challenges in maintaining specific temperature and environmental conditions for high-melting materials and sensitive components, particularly when using robot-supported 3D printing in open environments, which complicates the protection of electronic systems from elevated temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printing device with a flexible printing space cover and support structure that encloses the printing area, allowing for variable size and shape, and follows the movement of the printing head, enabling conditioning of the printing space while keeping sensitive components outside the heated environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a closed printing chamber is used to maintain temperature and environmental conditions, then materials with high melting temperatures can be used, but the device complexity increases and sensitive electronic components must be protected from elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the printing device into two distinct environmental zones: a conditioned printing space for high-temperature material deposition and an unconditioned robot workspace. The printing space cover acts as a partition that separates these zones, allowing independent temperature control of the printing area without exposing the entire device to elevated temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensitive electronic components and robot control systems are extracted from the heated printing space and placed in the external unconditioned environment. Only the essential printing nozzle penetrates the printing space cover, minimizing the exposure of sensitive components to high temperatures while maintaining the required thermal environment for material processing.
2Temperature
If a closed printing chamber is used to control environmental conditions, then high-melting materials can be processed, but the adaptability of the system for robot-supported applications decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing space cover is designed as a flexible, movable structure that can dynamically adapt to the position and movement of the printing head. The flexible membrane material allows the printing space to change shape and volume in real-time, accommodating the dynamic nature of robot-supported 3D printing while maintaining environmental control within the enclosed space.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing space cover is implemented as a flexible membrane or thin film structure rather than a rigid chamber. This flexible shell can deform and move with the printing head, providing both environmental sealing and mechanical adaptability for robotic manipulation, thus combining temperature control with system versatility.
3Reliability
If the entire mechanical construction is enclosed to protect sensitive components, then electronic systems are protected from elevated temperatures, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Sensitive electronic components are extracted from the heated environment and placed in the external unconditioned space. The printing space cover serves as a selective barrier that protects only the specific area where high-temperature processing occurs, while leaving the robot and control electronics in a cooler, unconditioned environment, thereby reducing the overall enclosure requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
Environmental conditioning is applied locally only to the printing space where high-temperature material processing occurs, rather than enclosing the entire device. The flexible printing space cover creates a localized controlled environment around the deposition area, leaving the rest of the mechanical construction unenclosed and accessible.
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 solution allows for efficient and flexible production of components with controlled temperature, pressure, and humidity within the printing space, protecting sensitive components and enabling the use of high-melting materials without encasing the entire mechanical construction, thus enhancing the operational flexibility and safety of robot-supported 3D printing.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible printing space cover which, proceeding from the printing head, spans the printing substrate in such a manner that a closed printing space is formed between the printing head and the printing substrate
Implementation Method 2
a support structure which comprises flexible support rods which run from the printing head to the printing substrate and which hold the printing space cover above the printing substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A 3D printing device includes a printing substrate, a movable printing head configured for additively producing from a modelling material a component on the printing substrate, and a flexible printing space cover which, proceeding from the printing head, spans the printing substrate such that a closed printing space is formed between the printing head and the printing substrate, wherein a printing nozzle of the printing head for applying the modelling material protrudes into the printing space. A support structure of the device includes flexible support rods which run from the printing head to the printing substrate and which hold the printing space cover above the printing substrate.