3D Food Printing Apparatus with Parallel Deposition Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D food printing techniques face limitations in production speed, complexity, and flexibility, with high costs and restricted capabilities for changing food properties like flavors or spices, due to the use of single extruder tools and bioreactor-based cell cultivation methods.
Innovation Solution
A food manufacturing apparatus and method utilizing a movable carrier substrate with multiple deposition modules arranged along its longitudinal direction, allowing for increased production speed and on-demand composition adjustments, facilitated by a conveyor device and collection system, enabling efficient layer-by-layer deposition of food components with extrusion and droplet dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single extruder tool is used for 3D food printing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the production speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single extruder tool into multiple independent extruder tools arranged in parallel. Each extruder tool can independently deposit food components, enabling simultaneous multi-layer or multi-component printing. This segmentation increases production speed without requiring a single complex multi-functional tool, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple extruder tools and carrier substrates into an integrated printing system where they operate in parallel. The control unit coordinates all components to work simultaneously, merging their functions to achieve high-speed printing. This merging allows the system to maintain relative simplicity of individual components while achieving high overall productivity.
2Productivity
If multiple carrier substrates and extruder tools are operated in parallel to increase output, then the production speed increases, but the device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the extruder tools and carrier substrates as universal, interchangeable components that can be easily added or removed. Each extruder tool can work with any carrier substrate, and the system architecture allows scalable configuration. This universality enables increased output through parallel operation without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the same modular components are reused across multiple stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic control system that can adaptively coordinate multiple extruder tools and carrier substrates. The control unit dynamically assigns printing tasks to available tools and substrates, optimizing resource utilization. This dynamic coordination allows the system to scale output by simply adding more identical modules rather than redesigning the entire system, thus increasing productivity without linearly increasing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the extruder tool is changed or precursor substance reservoir is connected to change food properties, then the food composition can be adjusted, but the operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-fills multiple precursor substance reservoirs with different food components, flavors, and spices before the printing process begins. The control unit pre-plans the deposition sequence to switch between reservoirs without requiring physical tool changes. This preliminary preparation eliminates time loss during composition changes, as all materials are ready and the system can seamlessly switch between them during printing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the system to maintain continuous printing operation when changing food composition. Multiple extruder tools can work in parallel, with one tool continuing to print while another switches reservoirs or prepares the next material. This continuity ensures that composition adjustments do not interrupt the overall production flow, maintaining high productivity while achieving versatility in food composition.
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 significantly enhances production speed, reduces complexity and costs, and allows for flexible adjustment of food composition, enabling the production of a wide range of food products, including meat and meat replacements, with improved operational efficiency and expanded applications.
Implementation Method 1
each of the deposition modules (21) comprises at least one extrusion device and/or at least one droplet dispenser device
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A food manufacturing apparatus 100 for manufacturing a food product 1, in particular a meat or meat replacement product 1, in a 3D printing process, comprises a movable carrier substrate 10 extending along a longitudinal substrate direction x and being adapted for accommodating the food product 1, a deposition device 20 comprising a plurality of deposition modules 21, which are arranged along the longitudinal substrate direction x of the carrier substrate 10, wherein each deposition module 21 is arranged for depositing components of the food product 1 on the carrier substrate 10, a conveyor device 30 being arranged for moving the carrier substrate 10 along the longitudinal substrate direction x thereof relative to the deposition modules 21, and a collection device 40 being arranged for collecting the food product 1. Furthermore, a method of manufacturing a food product 1, in particular a meat or meat replacement product, is described.