Movable Support Elements for Additive Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current additive manufacturing methods face inefficiencies due to the need for extensive support structures, which increase material costs, printing time, and post-processing complexity, often requiring significant material for support structures that can damage the final product.
Innovation Solution
A support arrangement with independently movable and rotatable elongated support elements that reduce the size and material consumption of support structures, enabling controlled removal of the three-dimensional object by breaking contact with the support elements, thereby minimizing material usage and post-processing needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional support structures are used in additive manufacturing, then the three-dimensional object can be supported during printing, but material consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple independently movable support elements rather than a single monolithic structure. Each support element can be independently positioned and moved, allowing only the necessary portions to be present during printing, thereby reducing overall material consumption while maintaining support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements are made movable along their longitudinal axes during the printing process, allowing them to be repositioned dynamically. This dynamic adjustment enables the support structures to be minimized or removed after providing necessary support during critical printing phases, reducing material consumption without compromising structural integrity during printing.
2Reliability
If extensive support structures are used, then the three-dimensional object is properly supported, but printing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements can be moved and repositioned during the printing process, allowing the printing to continue without waiting for extensive support structures to be fully printed. This dynamic repositioning enables faster printing times while maintaining necessary support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Support elements can be pre-positioned or partially positioned before the printing process begins, allowing the three-dimensional object to be printed without waiting for complete support structure fabrication. This preliminary action reduces overall printing time while ensuring adequate support is provided.
3Reliability
If traditional support structures are used, then the three-dimensional object is supported during printing, but post-processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple independently movable elements that can be easily separated from the three-dimensional object after printing. This segmentation simplifies post-processing by allowing individual support elements to be removed without complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable nature of the support elements allows them to be easily repositioned or removed after printing. This dynamic characteristic simplifies post-processing by enabling straightforward separation of support elements from the final three-dimensional object, reducing the complexity of removal operations.
4Reliability
If large support structures are used, then adequate support is provided, but the effective utilization rate of the additive manufacturing device decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements can be moved, repositioned, or removed after providing necessary support during printing. This dynamic capability allows the support structures to serve their purpose efficiently and then be discarded, maximizing the effective utilization rate of the additive manufacturing device by minimizing wasted printing time on unnecessary support material.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements are designed to be discarded after serving their support function during printing. This approach optimizes device utilization by not dedicating printing time to permanent support structures, instead using temporary elements that are removed after providing necessary support, thereby increasing the effective productivity of the manufacturing device.
Data Source
AI summary
A support arrangement for additive manufacturing, the support arrangement including a base structure; and a plurality of elongated support elements for supporting a three-dimensional object during additive manufacture of the three-dimensional object, each support element having a longitudinal axis and being independently movable relative to the base structure along the associated longitudinal axis; wherein at least one of the support elements is rotatable about the associated longitudinal axis. An additive manufacturing device including a support arrangement, and a method of producing a three-dimensional object, are also provided.