Additive Manufacturing Module Gas Stream Inertization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing apparatuses face challenges in preventing powdered build materials from coming into contact with ambient air, particularly oxygen, during module movement between positions, which can lead to contamination and compromised inertization.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a stream generating unit to create a continuous or intermittent stream of inert process gas along the travel path of the module, using a guiding structure and control unit to maintain or restore a protective gas layer above the build material, ensuring it remains isolated from ambient air throughout its movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover is placed on the module or a volume of process gas is created above the material to prevent contact with ambient air, then the build material is protected from oxygen contamination, but the protective gas layer may be swirled or disrupted when the module is moved between positions
Solution Approach 1:
The stream generating unit is positioned to deliver process gas onto the module before and during its movement between positions, ensuring the protective gas layer is restored or maintained in advance before any potential contamination can occur. This preliminary action prevents the swirling effect from compromising inertization.
Solution Approach 2:
The stream generating unit acts as an intermediary device that continuously supplies process gas to the module during movement. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the protective gas layer is maintained without requiring the module to remain stationary or use complex sealing mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the module is moved from the first position to the second position along the travel path, then the build module can be refilled or handled, but the build material may come into contact with ambient air during the movement
Solution Approach 1:
The stream generating unit utilizes gas flow (pneumatics) to create and maintain a protective atmosphere around the build material during module movement. The process gas is delivered through the stream generating unit to form a continuous protective layer that prevents ambient air contact throughout the movement and refilling operations.
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 solution effectively prevents the build material from contacting ambient air, maintaining the inert environment and ensuring consistent quality of the manufactured three-dimensional objects by maintaining a protective gas layer during module movement, even when transitioning between different positions within the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a stream generating unit (6) configured to create a stream of process gas (7) onto the module (2) at least partly along the travel path (5) of the module (2) between the first and the second position (3, 4)
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus (1) for additively manufacturing of three-dimensional objects by means of successive layerwise selective irradiation and consolidation of layers of a build material (13) which can be consolidated by means of an energy beam, comprising at least one module (2) moveable between at least two positions along a travel path, wherein a stream generating unit (6) is configured to create a stream of process gas (7) onto the module (2) at least partly along the travel path (5) of the module (2) between the first and the second position (3, 4).