Ink Removal in 3D Printing Build Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the Composite-Based Additive Manufacturing (CBAM) process, residual ink in larger build blocks often fails to evaporate completely due to increased size and pressure, leading to poor adhesion of polymer to fiber and reduced tensile strength in final 3D printed parts.
Innovation Solution
A novel processing sequence is introduced where uncompressed build blocks are heated to evaporate residual ink before the compression and melt/fuse-heating step, with temperature control and mass tracking to ensure complete evaporation, followed by standard compression and powder removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If larger build blocks are used to increase part size, then productivity and application scope are improved, but residual ink fails to evaporate completely leading to reduced tensile strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing an evaporation step before compression and heating. The method involves heating the stacked substrate sheets to evaporate residual ink prior to the compression-fusion process. This preliminary evaporation removes harmful residual ink that would otherwise remain trapped in larger build blocks, thereby preventing the reduction in tensile strength that occurs with scaled-up production.
2Manufacturing precision
If anti-evaporant concentration is increased to prevent ink evaporation during printing, then printing quality is improved, but residual ink remains after printing leading to poor adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary evaporation step before compression and heating to remove residual ink that remains after printing. By heating the stacked sheets to evaporate this residual ink beforehand, the method ensures complete evaporation without compromising the printing quality achieved through anti-evaporant use during the printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by heating the stacked substrate sheets to a specific temperature range that enables complete evaporation of residual ink. This temperature control ensures that the ink evaporates fully before the compression-fusion process, thereby improving adhesion quality while maintaining the printing quality achieved through anti-evaporant concentration optimization.
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 improves the mechanical properties of large parts by ensuring complete ink evaporation, enhancing the reliability and durability of the CBAM process.
Implementation Method 1
heating the build block to evaporate the ink
Implementation Method 2
melt and fuse
Data Source
AI summary
A method of residual ink removal in an ink-dependent 3-D printing process includes pre-heating a build block to an evaporation temperature. This is preferably done after stacking and before compression. Later compression will then involve a higher temperature to allow fusing of thermoplastic material in the build block, but without residual ink.