3D Fabrication Gas Replacer Laminar Flow Oxygen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-dimensional fabrication technologies face challenges in efficiently replacing the ambient gas in the fabrication environment with a predetermined gas to maintain a low oxygen concentration, which is essential for preventing oxidation and ensuring accurate powder layer formation and bonding during the additive manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a three-dimensional fabrication apparatus equipped with an atmosphere replacement unit that includes a gas supplier, a gas rectifier, and an exhaust system, which generates and supplies a laminar flow of a predetermined gas, such as nitrogen, to replace the ambient air within the internal space of the apparatus, maintaining a boundary layer between the gas and air to facilitate efficient gas replacement and prevent oxidation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional gas replacement method is used to replace ambient air with predetermined gas, then the oxygen concentration can be reduced, but the gas replacement process is slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the gas flow conditions adjustable and controllable. The gas supply system can dynamically adjust flow rates and the rectifier can change the flow pattern from turbulent to laminar based on process requirements, enabling both rapid replacement and precise oxygen concentration control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a predetermined inert gas (such as nitrogen) into the fabrication area to replace ambient air and create an inert atmosphere. This prevents oxidation of the powder material during the additive manufacturing process while maintaining controlled oxygen concentration levels
2Productivity
If a high volume of gas is supplied to replace ambient air quickly, then the gas replacement speed increases, but the amount of gas consumed increases and turbulence causes dust deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by introducing a predetermined gas through a controlled supply system. The gas flow is managed through pressure control and flow rate adjustment, enabling efficient displacement of ambient air without excessive gas consumption or turbulent mixing that would cause dust deposition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of gas flow by introducing a rectifier that transforms the flow from turbulent to laminar. This parameter change allows for faster gas replacement while reducing gas consumption and preventing dust deposition that would occur with turbulent flow
3Stability of the object's composition
If turbulent flow is used for gas replacement, then the gas mixing is thorough, but dust particles are deposited and contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by controlling gas flow characteristics. The rectifier device modifies the gas flow from turbulent to laminar, achieving uniform gas composition without the harmful effect of dust particle deposition that occurs in turbulent flow conditions
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 allows for rapid and efficient replacement of the ambient gas, reducing oxygen concentration to desired levels, thereby enhancing the accuracy and quality of the powder layer formation and bonding processes, while minimizing the amount of gas used and preventing dust deposition during the replacement process.
Implementation Method 1
generate and supply a laminar flow of a predetermined gas other than an air into the internal space
Implementation Method 2
maintaining a boundary layer between the gas and air
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional fabrication apparatus includes a fabrication section, a liquid discharge unit, a housing, and a gas replacer. The fabrication section forms a powder layer with a fabrication material in a fabrication area. The liquid discharge unit discharges a fabrication liquid onto the powder layer to form a fabrication layer. The housing has an internal space accommodating at least one of the fabrication section or the liquid discharge unit. The gas replacer to generate and supply a laminar flow of a predetermined gas other than an air into the internal space of the housing to replace an ambient gas in the internal space from the air to the predetermined gas.