Laser Displacement of Discrete Material Volumes for Precise Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in precisely depositing or displacing material in various fields, such as printing and additive manufacturing, where precise control over the placement of discrete volumes of material is necessary, but existing methods lack the precision and efficiency required for diverse applications.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a pulsed laser beam to interact with discrete volumes of material, causing rapid ejection and displacement by creating vapors, plasma, or chemical reactions, allowing for controlled displacement of material streams, with adjustable parameters like wavelength, energy, and pulse duration to achieve precise placement or redirection of material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional material deposition methods are used, then material can be deposited onto substrates, but precise control over discrete volume placement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The material stream is divided into discrete volumes or droplets that can be individually addressed and controlled by the laser beam, enabling precise placement of each discrete volume while maintaining high throughput through continuous stream processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical deposition mechanisms with a laser-based system that uses electromagnetic energy to selectively interact with and displace discrete material volumes, achieving both high precision and efficiency
2Manufacturing precision
If higher energy laser parameters are used to displace material, then displacement precision improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser operates in pulsed mode rather than continuous, delivering energy in discrete time intervals that coincide with the passage of discrete material volumes through the interaction zone, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining precise displacement control
Solution Approach 2:
The laser parameters (wavelength, energy, pulse duration) are dynamically adjusted based on material properties and desired displacement outcomes, optimizing energy efficiency for each specific application while maintaining precise control
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 enables precise and efficient displacement of material, allowing for targeted deposition in printing and additive manufacturing, as well as other applications, by controlling the trajectory and location of discrete volumes, improving material utilization and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
directing a pulsed laser beam at a first discrete volume of material in the first stream of discrete volumes of material so as to interact with the first discrete volume and thereby displace the first discrete volume away from the first stream
Implementation Method 2
causing rapid ejection and displacement by creating vapors, plasma, or chemical reactions
Implementation Method 3
causing rapid ejection and displacement by creating vapors, plasma, or chemical reactions
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises: providing a first stream of discrete volumes (908b) of material, and directing a pulsed laser beam (912) at a first discrete volume (908b) of material in the first stream of discrete volumes of material so as to interact with the first discrete volume of material and thereby displace the first discrete volume away from the first stream. An apparatus and a system for achieving such steps are also disclosed.