Hydraulic 3D Printing System with Seesaw Piston Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D printing technologies face challenges in efficiently printing large-sized objects due to issues with the release and replenishment of PDMS gel and the handling of high-viscosity resin, leading to printing defects and difficulties in removing completed objects.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic 3D printing system that employs a cartridge with a piston and platform mechanism, using fluid mechanics to transfer printing material and facilitate the curing of layers, along with a controller to manage the movement and curing process, including through-holes for balanced air pressure to aid in object removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the PDMS gel is set on the baseplate for large-sized objects, then the adhesion and vacuum suction become stronger, but the cured 3D-printed object and the PDMS gel become increasingly difficult to separate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a release layer between the PDMS gel and the baseplate, which reverses the adhesion relationship. The release layer has low adhesion to both the PDMS gel and the baseplate, allowing the cured object to be easily separated from the PDMS gel while maintaining strong adhesion during the printing process. This inversion of the adhesion principle solves the contradiction between strong bonding during printing and easy separation after curing.
2Strength
If the contact area of the 3D-printed object and the PDMS gel increases, then the adhesion becomes stronger, but the PDMS gel may not be completely released within a predetermined period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The release layer acts as an intermediary between the PDMS gel and the baseplate. This intermediate layer has low adhesion properties that facilitate the separation of the cured object from the PDMS gel within the predetermined time period, while still allowing strong adhesion during the printing process. The intermediary layer resolves the time conflict by providing a controlled separation mechanism.
3Strength
If high-viscosity resin is used to ensure bending strength and rigidity, then the material strength is improved, but the resin may not be suitable for existing 3D printers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the viscosity parameter of the resin by formulating a high-viscosity resin specifically designed for the hydraulic 3D printing system. The hydraulic pressure delivery system can accommodate and deliver high-viscosity resin effectively, allowing the use of materials with superior mechanical properties like bending strength and rigidity, while maintaining compatibility through the specialized hydraulic delivery mechanism.
4Productivity
If a hydraulic printing device is used to print large-sized 3D objects, then the printing efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic printing device that uses hydraulic pressure to deliver high-viscosity resin and control the printing process. The hydraulic system enables efficient printing of large-sized objects by providing controlled material delivery and platform movement, improving productivity while managing complexity through the integration of hydraulic mechanisms into the printing system.
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 system enables efficient and defect-free printing of large-sized objects by ensuring timely release and replenishment of printing materials and simplifies the removal of completed objects, improving the quality and efficiency of the 3D printing process.
Implementation Method 1
a piston movable inside a first chamber of the container assembly, configured to: actuate movement of a platform inside a second chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber, and transfer at least a portion of the printing material in the first chamber to the second chamber
Implementation Method 2
a curing light module configured to emit a curing light to cure at least a layer of the printing material to the platform or to a previously cured layer of the printing material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a system and method for printing 3D objects. The method may include providing a disposable cartridge including a build chamber coupled to a storage chamber adapted to hold a build material; seesawing a piston and a platform within the storage chamber and the build chamber, respectively, to transfer the build material between the storage chamber and the build chamber via a feeding path; and curing a layer of the build material onto the platform or onto a cured layer of the build material on the platform until the 3D object is formed. The system may include the cartridge; a movement module coupled to the piston and the platform of the cartridge; and a controller configured to drive the movement module to seesaw the piston and the platform to hydraulically transfer a portion of the printing material to a printing area in order to build the 3D object.