Additive Manufacturing Nozzle Guide Surface for Shielding Gas Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzle designs for additive manufacturing and laser processing machines face challenges in preventing external air from entering the shielding gas, leading to turbulence and potential reactions with the processed object.
Innovation Solution
The nozzle design incorporates a guide surface with a specific edge configuration that utilizes the Coanda effect to ensure the shielding gas flows along the surface and separates from the nozzle at a strategic edge, reducing turbulence and external air ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shielding gas is ejected to surround the irradiated portion, then the shielding gas protects the processed object from external air, but turbulence occurs when the gas hits the object causing external air to enter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a guide surface with a curved configuration that directs the shielding gas flow in an arc-like path. This curvature allows the gas to follow the contour of the guide surface and separate smoothly at a strategically positioned edge, preventing direct impact on the processed object and eliminating turbulence that would cause external air to penetrate the shielding layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide surface acts as an intermediary element between the shielding gas source and the processed object. It mediates the gas flow by providing a controlled path that directs the gas away from direct contact with the object, thus preventing turbulence and maintaining shielding integrity without requiring modification to the gas source or the object itself.
2Area of stationary object
If the shielding gas flows directly toward the object, then coverage is maximized, but turbulence is generated causing reactions between external air and the processed object
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surface is designed with non-uniform geometry where different sections have different orientations and curvatures. The surface is configured to locally adapt the gas flow direction at each point, creating a distributed flow pattern that maintains broad coverage while preventing concentrated impact zones that would generate turbulence and compromise manufacturing precision.
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
This design maintains a laminar flow of shielding gas, reducing the chances of external air entering and reacting with the processed object, thereby improving the precision and quality of the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
The guide surface allows a flow of the fluid in the second passage or a flow of the fluid ejected from the second open end to follow the guide surface and to become separated from the nozzle unit at the edge
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle according to one embodiment includes a nozzle unit and a guide surface. A first passage, a second passage, and the guide surface are provided to the nozzle unit. The first passage has a first open end. The second passage has a second open end, and a section that is positioned upstream of the second open end and that extends in a second direction. The guide surface has an edge in a first direction. The guide surface is exposed on the outer side at the edge, is along a third direction at the edge, the third direction being a direction becoming more distanced from an axis than the second direction does, as the third direction is extended further toward the first direction. A flow of fluid ejected from the second open end follows the guide surface, and becomes separated from the nozzle unit at the edge.