3D-Printed Inkjet Manifold for Leak-Free Thermal Ink Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet manifolds in existing technologies are prone to errors and disturbances such as sealing leakage and clogging due to multiple parts and materials, which affect the stability and quality of the printing process, especially in high-throughput industrial inkjet printing.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece manifold made of titanium, manufactured through 3D printing, with integrated ink and temperature control fluid cavities and lamellae for efficient heat transfer and ink circulation, reducing assembly complexity and potential failure points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a manifold is constructed with multiple parts and materials (hoses, connectors, seals), then the manifold can be assembled from standard components, but the manifold becomes prone to sealing leakage and clogging due to material incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (hoses, connectors, seals) into a single integrated manifold body manufactured by 3D printing. This eliminates the interfaces between components where leakage and clogging occur, while maintaining the functional capabilities of distributing ink and controlling temperature through integrated fluid pathways and thermal contact surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs 3D printing technology to create a manifold with composite structure - the main body can have different material properties in different regions (e.g., thermally conductive materials for temperature control surfaces, chemically resistant materials for ink contact areas). This allows optimization of each region's material properties while maintaining a single-piece construction that avoids sealing issues.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a manifold uses multiple materials for different components, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the number of potential failure points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optimized components into a single integrated structure. The 3D printing process allows different regions of the manifold to have different material compositions or properties (e.g., varying thermal conductivity, chemical resistance) while maintaining a unified single-piece construction that reduces the number of interfaces and potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold design applies local quality by having different material properties or structural characteristics in different regions of the single piece. For example, areas in contact with ink may have different material composition than areas for temperature control, or internal flow pathways may have different wall thicknesses. This regional optimization is achieved within a single integrated component through 3D printing.
3Reliability
If a manifold is made as a single piece from the same material, then the number of assembly errors and failure points is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes 3D printing technology which fundamentally changes the manufacturing parameters and processes. Instead of traditional assembly of multiple components, the manifold is manufactured as a single piece through additive manufacturing, where material is deposited layer by layer according to digital models. This parameter change in the manufacturing process enables complex geometries to be produced directly without assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The 3D printing process adds a temporal dimension to manufacturing - instead of assembling components in space, the manifold is built up layer by layer through time. This dimensional change in the manufacturing approach allows for complex internal geometries and integrated features that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional subtractive manufacturing or assembly methods.
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
Enhances printing stability by minimizing assembly errors, improving ink quality control, and enabling efficient heat management, thus ensuring consistent and high-quality prints.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature control fluid cavity 22 which is in thermal contact with the ink cavity 20
Implementation Method 2
the main body comprises a thermally conductive wall separating the ink cavity and the temperature control fluid cavity
Implementation Method 3
the lamellae provide an additional contact surface between the ink and the main body through which heat can be transferred
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a manifold for an inkjet printer, comprising a main body (18) with an ink cavity and a temperature control fluid cavity which is in thermal contact with the ink cavity, the manifold (12) further comprising at least one ink inlet, (28) at least one ink outlet (34), at least one temperature control fluid inlet (40) and at least one temperature control fluid outlet (50), wherein the main body (18), the at least one ink inlet (28), the at least one ink outlet (34), the at least one temperature control fluid inlet (40) and the at least one temperature control fluid outlet (50) consist of the same material and form a single piece.