Multi-Chamber Additive Manufacturing Device for Simultaneous Multi-Material Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printers based on the SLA/DLP process can only produce parts from a single material, requiring serial processing and material replacement for multi-material prints, limiting their versatility.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pressure trough containing multiple process chambers, each exposed to radiation from below, allowing simultaneous layer-by-layer production of multiple three-dimensional parts from different radiation-curable compositions using a shared radiation source and segmented transparent bottoms for independent material management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single material is used in the print reservoir, then the printing process is simple and reliable, but multi-material printing capability is lost and serial processing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The print reservoir is divided into multiple process chambers (first process chamber, second process chamber, etc.), each capable of holding different radiation-curable compositions. This segmentation allows simultaneous multi-material printing while maintaining independent material management in each chamber, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation source is designed to irradiate multiple process chambers simultaneously through a transparent bottom structure, enabling a single radiation source to serve multiple printing functions. This universal approach allows multi-material printing without requiring separate radiation sources for each material, thus improving versatility while controlling complexity.
2Productivity
If material is replaced in the print reservoir for multi-material printing, then different materials can be used, but only serial processing is possible and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the reservoir into multiple process chambers that can hold different materials simultaneously, the system eliminates the need for serial material replacement. Each chamber maintains its own material supply, enabling parallel processing and significantly improving productivity while reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented chamber design allows continuous printing operations with multiple materials without interruption for material replacement. Each process chamber operates independently and continuously, maintaining useful action throughout the printing process and maximizing productivity.
3Reliability
If the complete reservoir including material is replaced for material change, then material contamination is avoided, but productivity decreases and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir segmentation into isolated process chambers ensures that each chamber maintains material purity independently. Material contamination is prevented through physical separation rather than complete reservoir replacement, thus maintaining reliability while improving productivity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a transparent bottom is used for radiation exposure from below, then multi-chamber simultaneous curing is enabled, but material selection for the bottom is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A single transparent bottom structure serves multiple process chambers simultaneously, enabling universal radiation exposure from below. This design achieves simultaneous multi-chamber curing capability while using one standardized transparent component, thus improving versatility without significantly complicating manufacture.
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
Enables quasi-continuous printing of multiple parts with different materials simultaneously, reducing material waste and increasing printing efficiency by allowing separate composition management and curing in each chamber.
Implementation Method 1
each consisting of at least one separate composition curable by means of radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Devices for the layer-by-layer generative production of at least one three-dimensional shaped part from at least two radiation-curable compositions are provided and comprise at least one radiation source and/or beam deflection device and at least one pressure trough with at least two process chambers openable at the top, wherein the at least two process chambers are arrangeable above the radiation source or a radiation deflection device, so that the curable compositions in the process chambers are exposable to radiation from below via the radiation source and/or the radiation deflection device. The devices further comprise a building platform having an underside which is exposable to rays from the radiation source, wherein the bottom of the pressure trough comprises at least partially a transparent material. Additionally, processes for producing at least one three-dimensional shaped part from at least two different curable compositions are provided