Mode-Switched Coolant Supply for Hybrid AM Milling Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Additive manufacturing processes face challenges in controlling the temperature of build components, which can lead to dimensional instability and undesirable microstructural properties, and traditional cooling methods introduce delays in the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing system with a coolant supply system that selectively supplies coolant to the additive manufacturing assembly or milling assembly, depending on the operational mode, to regulate the temperature of build components and milling tools, thereby maintaining continuous production without delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If traditional cooling methods are used to control build component temperature, then temperature regulation is achieved, but manufacturing delays are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coolant supply system is activated before the build component reaches excessive temperatures, preventing overheating before it occurs. This proactive cooling approach avoids the need for interrupting the energy source and waiting for passive cooling, thereby eliminating manufacturing delays while maintaining temperature control
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling process operates continuously alongside the additive manufacturing process rather than in intermittent cycles. The coolant flows continuously through the cooling channels during material deposition, ensuring steady temperature regulation without interrupting the manufacturing workflow, thus maintaining continuous production
2Temperature
If energy source is intermittently interrupted to regulate temperature, then build component temperature is controlled, but manufacturing process efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of interrupting the energy source after overheating occurs, the coolant supply system is activated in advance to prevent temperature excursions. This eliminates the need to stop material deposition and reheat the component, maintaining continuous manufacturing and high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The additive manufacturing process operates continuously without interruptions to the energy source. The coolant system provides continuous cooling during the entire deposition process, allowing the energy source to remain active and material deposition to proceed without停顿, thereby maintaining high manufacturing efficiency
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 system effectively regulates the temperature of build components and milling tools, ensuring desired geometrical and structural properties while preventing delays in the additive manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant supply system configured to selectively supply a coolant to the support assembly that supports the build component and that is in thermal communication with the build component
Implementation Method 2
the circulating coolant removing heat and machine chips
Data Source
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AI summary
Manufacturing systems with coolant supply systems and related methods. A manufacturing system (10) includes an additive manufacturing (AM) assembly (50), a milling assembly (70), and a coolant supply system (200). The AM assembly (50) includes a support assembly (100) that supports a build component (20) and that is in thermal communication with the build component (20). The coolant supply system (200) is configured to remove heat from the support assembly (100) by flowing the coolant through at least a portion of the support assembly (100). A method of operating a manufacturing system (10) during a manufacturing process includes detecting a manufacturing mode of the manufacturing system (10), forming a build component (20) via the manufacturing process, and, at least partially concurrent with the forming the build component (20), selectively supplying a coolant to a support assembly (100) and/or a milling tool (72). The selectively supplying the coolant is based, at least in part, on the detecting the manufacturing mode.