3D Printer Nozzle Follower for Printed Surface Smoothing
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Solution Overview
Problem
3D printing surfaces often exhibit imperfections such as ridging due to the successive deposition of filaments, particularly when using plastics like ABS, which affects the appearance of printed objects.
Innovation Solution
A surface modification apparatus comprising a head nozzle follower assembly that delivers a plastics flow inducing agent, such as acetone vapor or heated air, to the printed surface, allowing for surface smoothing by inducing flow and modifying the surface texture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If successive layers of material are deposited from a moving dispenser to create 3D objects, then three-dimensional objects can be built up at a controlled rate, but the surfaces of articles produced show imperfections such as ridging patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by heating the material just before deposition to improve its flow characteristics. The material is preheated in the dispensing head before being extruded, which allows for smoother deposition and reduced surface imperfections while maintaining the controlled layer-by-layer building process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the material, specifically temperature and viscosity, to optimize surface quality. By controlling the temperature of the material in the dispensing head and adjusting its viscosity, the process achieves both controlled deposition rate and improved surface finish without ridging patterns
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 solution effectively smooths the surface of 3D printed objects, eliminating ridging and enhancing the appearance of printed plastics materials like ABS, while also incorporating solvent vapor recovery for efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A surface modification apparatus comprising a head nozzle follower assembly that delivers a plastics flow inducing agent, such as acetone vapor or heated air, to the printed surface
Implementation Method 2
the follower assembly is operable for delivering a plastics flow inducing agent to the material surface
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle follower assembly is provided which is co-operable with a 3D printer. The nozzle follower assembly includes a surface portion modification apparatus. The follower assembly is co-operable with a 3D printer head nozzle assembly and is operable to cause the surface portion modification apparatus to modify at least a portion of a surface of a material most recently printed by the head nozzle assembly of the 3D printer. The surface portion modification apparatus may be used to smooth the surface of the material most recently printed by the head nozzle assembly of the 3D printer.