Modular Additive Manufacturing Tunnel for Automated Material Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing systems for three-dimensional objects face inefficiencies in the automation of filling and emptying processes within modular functional units, leading to time-consuming and non-automated operations.
Innovation Solution
A system for additive manufacturing that includes modular functional units with a filling and emptying device capable of fully automated movement through a tunnel structure, equipped with detection devices for monitoring building material status and quality, and temperature control, inerting, and screening capabilities, allowing for efficient handling and processing of different materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual filling and emptying processes are used in modular functional units, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and automation extent is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular functional units (construction module, dosing module, overflow module), each with independent receiving spaces that can be individually filled and emptied through the tunnel structure, enabling parallel processing and improved productivity without overwhelming system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A tunnel structure serves as an intermediary component connecting the modular functional units to the filling and emptying device, enabling automated material transfer while maintaining modular architecture and reducing the complexity of direct integration
2Extent of automation
If automated filling and emptying processes are implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel structure serves multiple functions: it connects modular functional units, provides a pathway for automated material transfer, and integrates with the filling and emptying device, reducing the need for separate specialized components and thereby limiting complexity increase despite high automation
Solution Approach 2:
The modular functional units are designed to be self-contained with integrated receiving spaces that can be autonomously filled and emptied through the automated system, reducing the need for additional control mechanisms and minimizing complexity
3Loss of time
If manual filling and emptying processes are used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel structure enables continuous automated filling and emptying operations across multiple modular functional units, eliminating idle time between manual operations and maintaining continuous productive action, thereby reducing total process time without proportionally increasing complexity
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
The system enables fully automated and efficient additive production of three-dimensional objects, particularly in series production, by streamlining the filling and emptying processes and ensuring high material quality through real-time monitoring and control.
Implementation Method 1
successive layered selective exposure and the associated solidification of individual building material layers from a solidifiable building material by means of at least one energy beam
Implementation Method 2
The device can be a device for carrying out selective laser melting processes (abbreviated to SLM processes) or selective laser sintering processes (abbreviated to SLS processes)
Implementation Method 3
The device can be a device for carrying out selective laser melting processes (abbreviated to SLM processes) or selective laser sintering processes (abbreviated to SLS processes)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (1) for additively producing three-dimensional objects (2), comprising: a movable, modular functional unit (12a-12c), a tunnel structure (21), a device (3), which is designed to additively produce a three-dimensional object (2) by the successive, layer-by-layer selective irradiation and associated solidification of formed construction-material layers by means of an energy beam (5), wherein the device (3) has a connecting section (26), by means of which the device (3) can be or is connected to the tunnel structure (21) such that a modular functional unit (12a-12c) can be moved from the device (3) into the tunnel structure (21) or vice versa, a filling and/or removal apparatus (13), which is designed to fill a holding chamber of a functional unit (12a-12c) moved into a filling region (14) of the filling and/or removal apparatus (13) with construction material (4) and/or to remove construction material (4) contained in a holding chamber of a functional unit (12a-12c) moved into a removal region (15) of the filling and/or removal apparatus (13), wherein the filling and/or removal apparatus (13) has a connecting section (26), by means of which the filling and/or removal apparatus (13) can be or is connected to the tunnel structure (21) such that a modular functional unit (12a-12c) can be moved from the filling and/or removal apparatus (13) into the tunnel structure (21) or vice versa.