Layered Manufacturing Nozzle with Opposing Supply and Exhaust Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional layered object manufacturing apparatuses face challenges in efficiently supplying and exhausting materials and gases during the laser-based manufacturing process, leading to uneven material distribution and reduced accuracy in object formation.
Innovation Solution
The nozzle design incorporates a configuration with a material supply port and an exhaust port facing each other, with the optical path of the energy ray positioned between them, allowing for controlled gas flow and efficient material supply and exhaust, stabilizing the powder flow and reducing scattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional nozzle design is used for material supply, then the structure is simple, but material distribution becomes uneven and manufacturing precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple functional ports: a material supply port for delivering powder, an exhaust port for removing fumes and unused material, and an energy ray emitting part. This segmentation allows each port to perform its specific function optimally, resulting in uniform material distribution and improved manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The material supply port and exhaust port are positioned to face each other in opposite directions, creating a bidirectional flow path. The optical path of the energy ray is positioned between these ports, establishing a three-dimensional spatial arrangement that optimizes material delivery and exhaust removal while maintaining structural efficiency.
2Productivity
If conventional exhaust configuration is used, then the device structure remains simple, but powder and fume removal efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust port is integrated into the nozzle structure itself, combining the exhaust function with the material supply nozzle. This merging eliminates the need for separate exhaust systems while achieving efficient removal of powder and fumes, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Gas flows through the exhaust port as an intermediary medium to carry away fumes and unused powder particles from the processing area. This gas flow mechanism efficiently removes contaminants while maintaining a relatively simple nozzle structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If material supply and exhaust are not optimized, then the nozzle structure remains simple, but material supply stability decreases and scattering increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the nozzle are assigned specific qualities and functions: the material supply port is optimized for powder delivery with appropriate aperture size and orientation, the exhaust port is configured for effective contaminant removal, and the energy ray emitting part is positioned to interact optimally with the material flow. This localized optimization ensures stable material supply and reduces scattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle design creates dynamic gas flow patterns that adapt to the manufacturing process requirements. The opposing ports facilitate continuous material supply and simultaneous exhaust removal, creating a dynamic equilibrium that maintains material supply stability and minimizes scattering during the layering process.
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 configuration enhances the stability and accuracy of material supply, reduces scattering, and improves the efficiency of powder and fume removal, resulting in more precise and dense object formation.
Implementation Method 1
emits a laser beam from a nozzle to melt the powder and form material layers
Implementation Method 2
melt the powder and form material layers
Implementation Method 3
exhaust part including an exhaust port through which gas is exhausted
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle of a layered object manufacturing apparatus according to embodiments includes a gas supply part and an exhaust part. The gas supply part includes a gas supply port through which gas is supplied. The exhaust part includes an exhaust port through which the gas is exhausted. The gas supply port and the exhaust port face each other and are spaced apart from each other.