Nozzle Calibration System for Bio 3D Printing Needle Deflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Bio 3D printing requires high precision, but disposable needles used in this technology often suffer from bending errors, leading to inaccuracies in printing biological tissues.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle calibration system that includes a nozzle part with a needle member, a coupling part for moving the nozzle part, a detection part for sensing the needle's position, and a controller to perform precise movements and calibrate errors caused by needle deflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable needles are used for each printing session, then contamination is prevented, but needle deflection errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration of the needle position before actual printing by detecting the lower end position of the needle and calculating deflection errors. This preliminary measurement and compensation process ensures that even with disposable needles, the printing precision is maintained through pre-correction of expected deflection errors.
2Reliability
If disposable needles are replaced frequently, then contamination risk is reduced, but calibration errors due to needle bending increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a detection device to measure the actual lower end position of the needle and feeds this information back to the controller. The controller calculates the deflection error based on the difference between the expected position and actual position, then compensates for this error in subsequent printing operations, creating a closed-loop feedback system that maintains precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter being measured from the needle's commanded position to the needle's actual lower end position, and introduces a compensation parameter (deflection error) that adjusts the printing coordinates. By measuring and compensating for the actual deflection rather than assuming a fixed error, the system adapts to variations in each disposable needle.
3Manufacturing precision
If high precision is required for bio 3D printing, then printing quality improves, but the impact of needle deflection errors becomes more significant
Solution Approach 1:
The detection device acts as an intermediary between the needle and the printing system. It measures the needle's actual position and provides this information to the controller, which then calculates compensation values. This intermediary measurement system enables high precision printing by providing accurate feedback on needle deflection without requiring complex mechanical adjustments to the needle itself.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a nozzle calibration system for measuring a location of a lower end of a needle member used for a 3D printer to set the location to a reference point, in which nozzle calibration system includes a nozzle part having the needle member protruding downwards, a coupling part coupled to the nozzle part, and that moves the nozzle part upwards and downwards, a movement part coupled to the coupling part, and that moves the coupling part, a detection part that detects information on whether the needle member is located in a specific detection area located in an interior thereof, and a controller electrically connected to the coupling part and the movement part to control an operation of the coupling part and the movement part, and electrically connected to the detection part to acquire information acquired by the detection part.