Multi-Nozzle 3D Shaping Device Dynamic Screw Speed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional shaping devices that use multiple nozzles to discharge material for shaping objects face challenges in maintaining high dimensional accuracy due to variations in discharge amounts when the number of active nozzles changes, leading to inconsistent material deposition.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional shaping device with a plasticizing unit, a stage, a discharge unit with multiple nozzles, a discharge amount adjustment unit, and a control unit that adjusts the rotation speed of the screw, discharge amount, and relative speed of the nozzles based on the discharge state to ensure consistent material deposition and layer formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple nozzles are used to discharge material for three-dimensional shaping, then productivity is improved by shortening shaping time, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to variations in discharge amount when the number of active nozzles changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the screw rotation speed based on the discharge state of multiple nozzles. The control unit adjusts the screw rotation speed in real-time according to the number of nozzles actively discharging material, ensuring that the plasticized material supply rate matches the total discharge demand. This dynamic adjustment prevents both discharge amount variations and material supply deficiencies that would occur with fixed rotation speed, thereby maintaining dimensional accuracy while utilizing multiple nozzles for improved productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback control mechanism where the control unit monitors the discharge state of each nozzle and uses this information to adjust the screw rotation speed. The feedback loop continuously compares the actual discharge state with the target state and modifies the screw rotation speed accordingly. This feedback system ensures that when the number of active nozzles changes, the material supply rate is automatically adjusted to maintain consistent discharge amounts per active nozzle, preserving manufacturing precision while enabling flexible productivity adjustment
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 device achieves high dimensional accuracy in shaping objects by controlling the discharge state of the plasticized material from multiple nozzles, ensuring consistent deposition amounts and preventing variations, thereby improving the overall shaping process.
Implementation Method 1
a plasticizing unit including a screw and configured to plasticize a material by rotation of the screw to generate a plasticized material
Implementation Method 2
a discharge unit having a plurality of nozzles disposed side by side along a first axis parallel to the deposition surface of the stage, and configured to discharge the plasticized material from the plurality of nozzles toward the deposition surface
Implementation Method 3
a control unit that executes, based on a discharge state of the plasticized material from the plurality of nozzles, at least one of a first control of controlling a rotation speed of the screw
Implementation Method 4
a moving unit configured to relatively move the discharge unit with respect to the stage along a second axis that is parallel to the deposition surface of the stage and intersects the first axis
Data Source
AI summary
A variation in a deposition amount per unit area of a plasticized material discharged from each nozzle and deposited on a stage due to a variation in a discharge amount of the plasticized material discharged from each nozzle is reduced. A three-dimensional shaping device includes: a plasticizing unit configured to generate a plasticized material by rotation of a screw; a discharge unit configured to discharge the plasticized material from a plurality of nozzles; a discharge amount adjustment unit configured to adjust a discharge amount of the plasticized material from each of the plurality of nozzles; a moving unit configured to relatively move the discharge unit with respect to a stage; and a control unit. The control unit executes, based on a discharge state of the plasticized material from the plurality of nozzles, at least one of a first control of controlling a rotation speed of the screw, a second control of controlling the discharge amount by the discharge amount adjustment unit, and a third control of controlling a relative speed of the discharge unit with respect to the stage, so as to laminate a shaping layer formed of the plasticized material on the stage.