Multi-Material 3D Printing Tool with Angled Orifices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bioprinters are limited by the need to change nozzles and perform tip detection between multiple materials, leading to time-consuming workflows and potential material degradation in multi-material prints, which hampers the throughput and efficiency of 3D printing tools in commercial production.

Innovation Solution

A 3D printing tool and assembly with multiple dispensing chambers on a single tool, allowing for a single tip detection action before printing, where at least one barrel orifice is oriented at an angle, enabling simultaneous dispensing of multiple materials without the need for frequent tool changes and tip detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate tools are used to dispense multiple materials, then material dispensing capability is improved, but tool change time and tip detection time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial dispensing capabilityVSAvoidtool change time and tip detection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple dispensing nozzles into a single integrated multi-material dispensing tool. The tool includes a tool body with multiple nozzle holders that can simultaneously hold and dispense multiple different materials through a single tool insertion, eliminating the need for sequential tool changes and multiple tip detection actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-material dispensing tool is designed as a universal tool that can dispense multiple different materials simultaneously. The tool body incorporates multiple nozzle holders that can be configured to hold different material reservoirs, allowing a single tool to perform the function of multiple separate single-material tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If sequential tool changes are performed to dispense different materials, then material variety is improved, but manufacturing throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial varietyVSAvoidmanufacturing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple single-material dispensing capabilities into one multi-material tool. By integrating multiple nozzles and material reservoirs into a single tool unit, the system enables simultaneous dispensing of multiple materials without interrupting the manufacturing process for tool changes, thereby maintaining high throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-material dispensing tool enables continuous printing operations by eliminating tool change interruptions. Once the tool is inserted, all material dispensing operations can proceed simultaneously and continuously without stopping for tool changes or repeated tip detections, maintaining uninterrupted manufacturing flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If multiple tip detection actions are performed during tool changes, then nozzle positioning accuracy is improved, but time consumption and material degradation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle positioning accuracyVSAvoidtip detection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple tip detection operations into a single tip detection action. Since all nozzles are part of one integrated tool, a single tip detection process can establish the positioning reference for the entire tool assembly, eliminating the need for separate tip detections for each nozzle or tool change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs tip detection once at the beginning when the multi-material tool is first inserted, establishing the positioning reference in advance. This preliminary action suffices for all subsequent material dispensing operations with the tool, eliminating the need for repeated tip detections during material changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11884014B2Tool for dispensing multiple materials with discrete positional control without need for sequential tool change

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 ADVANCED SOLUTIONS LIFE SCIENCES LLC

AI summary

A method for operating the 3D printing tool includes positioning a first material distribution barrel within a first barrel orifice, where a first barrel tip is disposed at a first end of the first material distribution barrel. The method further includes positioning a second material distribution barrel within a second barrel orifice, where a second barrel tip is disposed at a first end of the second material distribution barrel. The method further includes dispensing building material from the first material distribution barrel when the first material distribution barrel is substantially vertically oriented and a second material distribution barrel is oriented at an angle from the vertical.