Machine Plate Resonance Control for Additive Manufacturing Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing additive layer buildup methods face challenges in preventing resonance damage during the cleaning process of powder residues from additively manufactured components, which can lead to component damage.

Innovation Solution

The method involves setting the resonant frequency of the machine plate to a specific frequency that is significantly different from the resonant frequencies of the additively manufactured component, using a mass element attached to the machine plate to achieve this, and pivoting the machine plate to allow powder residues to flow away.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the machine plate is excited at its resonant frequency to release powder residues, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but resonance damage to the component may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidresonance damage to component

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the resonant frequency parameter of the machine plate by attaching mass elements, thereby shifting the excitation frequency away from the component's resonant frequencies. This allows the cleaning process to maintain effectiveness while avoiding resonance damage to the component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The mass element acts as an intermediary that modifies the dynamic characteristics of the machine plate. By introducing this intermediate element, the system can achieve the desired cleaning effect without directly exciting the component at its resonant frequencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If manual cleaning is used to avoid resonance damage, then component safety is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent damage preventionVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By modifying the resonant frequency of the machine plate through mass element attachment, the patent enables automated cleaning to proceed without causing resonance damage. This eliminates the need for manual cleaning while maintaining component safety, thus reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the resonant frequency of the machine plate is set close to the component's resonant frequency, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but the risk of resonance damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically changes the frequency parameter by calculating and implementing mass element configurations that shift the machine plate's resonant frequency to a safe distance from the component's resonant frequencies. This maintains cleaning efficiency while ensuring component integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively prevents resonance damage to the components by ensuring that the excitation frequency of the machine plate does not match the resonant frequencies of the components, thereby reducing the risk of material damage during the cleaning process.

Implementation Method 1

a machine plate and the at least partly additively manufactured component arranged thereon are excited to mechanical oscillation during a cleaning process by a vibration actuator of the cleaning device with a set resonant frequency of the machine plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

a resonant frequency of the machine plate is set to the set resonant frequency by an arrangement of a mass element on a securing element of the machine plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonant frequency adjustment through mass addition: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

the machine plate and the at least partly additively manufactured component arranged thereon are pivoted around at least one axis during the predetermined cleaning process in order to make it possible for the powder residue to flow away

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12330216B2Method for avoiding resonance damage during cleaning of an at least partly additively manufactured component, cleaning device, mass element, and system

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 MTU AERO ENGINES GMBH

AI summary

The invention is directed to a method for cleaning powder residues of an additive layer build-up method away from an at least partly additively manufactured component by a cleaning device, wherein a machine plate and the component arranged thereon are excited to mechanical oscillation during a cleaning process by a vibration actuator of the cleaning device with a set resonant frequency of the machine plate. According to the invention, before the cleaning process is carried out, a resonant frequency of the machine plate is set to the set resonant frequency by an arrangement of a mass element on a securing element of the machine plate.