Molten Material Supplying Apparatus for 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-dimensional modeling apparatuses using composite materials with fiber reinforcement often result in inferior surface quality due to fiber material appearing on the surface of the resin, leading to reduced strength and aesthetic issues.
Innovation Solution
A molten material supplying apparatus that introduces fiber materials into a thermoplastic resin flow path using a flat screw with a groove section and a heater, ensuring the fiber is evenly distributed and centered within the resin, reducing surface appearance and enhancing strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fiber material and resin material are combined and heated together, then composite material with fiber reinforcement is obtained, but fiber material appears on the surface of the resin material causing inferior outer appearance and surface quality
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is segmented into two distinct stages: first heating the resin material separately, then introducing fiber material into the already-melted resin. This segmentation prevents fiber material from being exposed on the surface while still achieving composite material formation, resolving the contradiction between strength improvement and surface quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin material is heated and melted before the fiber material is introduced. This preliminary action ensures that the resin is already in a molten state to properly encapsulate the fiber material, preventing fiber exposure on the surface while maintaining the reinforcing effect.
2Manufacturing precision
If fiber material is introduced into melted resin, then fiber is evenly distributed within the resin, but additional process steps and equipment complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber material introduction unit is integrated into the existing heating chamber structure, combining the fiber introduction function with the resin heating function. This merging approach achieves uniform fiber distribution within the melted resin while minimizing additional equipment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The melted resin acts as an intermediary medium that facilitates the even distribution of fiber material. By introducing fiber into the already-melted resin, the resin itself serves as the distributing medium, achieving uniform distribution without requiring complex additional distribution mechanisms.
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 apparatus effectively reduces the amount of fiber material on the surface of the resin, improving the outer appearance and strength of the three-dimensional models by ensuring the fiber is uniformly integrated within the resin flow path.
Implementation Method 1
a facing section in which a communication hole communicating with the first flow path is formed, the facing section having a heater
Implementation Method 2
a flat screw which has a groove section at a position facing the facing section, the flat screw being rotated to melt the thermoplastic resin into the molten material
Data Source
AI summary
A molten material supplying apparatus includes: a first introduction unit introducing fiber material; a melting unit melting a thermoplastic resin into a molten material; a first flow path in which the molten material and the fiber material are distributed; and a nozzle communicating with the first flow path to feed a composite of the molten material and the fiber material. The melting unit includes: a facing section in which a communication hole communicating with the first flow path is formed, the facing section having a heater, and a flat screw which has a groove at a position facing the facing section, the flat screw being rotated to melt the thermoplastic resin into the molten material and supply the molten material into the communication hole. The first introduction unit introduces the fiber material into at least one of the communication hole and the first flow path.