Hot Bed Deformation Tolerance for Large 3D Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-sized continuous fiber high-temperature 3D printers experience thermal deformation and jamming due to the horizontal deformation of the high-temperature hot bed supported by the Z axis, which affects the X and Y directions during printing, particularly in aerospace and national defense applications where mechanical properties are critical.
Innovation Solution
A hot bed deformation tolerance structure with a secured hot bed support assembly and motion device coordination, utilizing an aluminum alloy with a high thermal expansion coefficient, compensates for thermal expansion through a mechanical passive compensation method, allowing for motion redundancy and preventing jamming by using linear motion modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the hot bed is rigidly secured to the Z axis, then the structural stability is improved, but thermal deformation causes horizontal deformation in X and Y directions leading to jamming of motion modules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the rigid fixed connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. The hot bed support assembly includes linear motion modules that allow the hot bed to move dynamically in response to thermal expansion, converting thermal deformation energy into controlled motion rather than allowing it to cause jamming
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the connection parameter from rigid fixed to flexible adjustable. By introducing linear motion modules with adjustable travel ranges, the system can adapt its connection characteristics based on temperature conditions, maintaining stability while accommodating thermal deformation
2Stress or pressure
If chamber preheating is used to reduce temperature difference, then the thermal stress is reduced, but the motion modules still experience thermal deformation and assembly deformation in high-temperature environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful thermal deformation into a beneficial feature. Instead of trying to completely prevent thermal deformation through preheating, the design allows controlled thermal expansion to occur and uses it to drive the linear motion modules, transforming potential harm into a self-compensating mechanism
3Productivity
If a large-sized hot bed with high thermal expansion coefficient material is used, then the productivity is improved, but the thermal deformation in X and Y directions increases causing jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the constraint system into multiple independent linear motion modules distributed at different corners of the hot bed. This segmentation allows each module to independently handle local thermal deformation, preventing cumulative deformation effects that would cause jamming in large-sized beds
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
The structure effectively compensates for thermal deformation in both high-temperature and low-temperature environments, ensuring precise motion and preventing jamming without the need for monitoring or structural modifications, thus enhancing the reliability of large-sized continuous fiber 3D printers.
Implementation Method 1
a high-temperature hot bed supported by a Z axis has horizontal deformation in X and Y directions during moving
Implementation Method 2
the compensation method of the present invention is mechanical passive compensation, which can adapt to thermal deformation at different temperatures
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a hot bed deformation tolerance structure for a large-sized continuous fiber high-temperature 3D printer. Size changes caused by thermal expansion of a hot bed are compensated through motion coordination of a secured hot bed support assembly and a motion device, especially for an aluminum alloy material having a large size and a high thermal expansion coefficient. A Z-direction motion structure of this structure is fixedly mounted with a frame and works at room temperature. A compensation motion module is fixedly mounted with a Z axis and incompletely secured with the hot bed support assembly, and works at room temperature with the Z axis. The hot bed support assembly is incompletely secured and partially in a high-temperature chamber, with a maximum working temperature of 300°C. The hot bed support assembly retains motion redundancy in a direction of thermal expansion deformation, tolerates thermal deformation through a linear motion module, and compensates for metal deformation through horizontal motion coordination.