3D Jet Printer Nozzle Switching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D jet printing technologies face inefficiencies when printing with multiple materials, as inactive nozzles often leak plastic, leading to distorted print patterns and increased production time due to the need for frequent heating and cooling cycles.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a cam gear motor to control nozzle positions and a valve system to actively manage nozzle activation and deactivation, ensuring minimal interruption during material changes and preventing plastic leakage by cutting off flash residue, allowing for seamless switching between materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple nozzles are kept heated for multi-material printing, then material switching capability is improved, but plastic leakage from inactive nozzles distorts print patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by keeping the inactive nozzle heated and ready with material loaded beforehand, so that when switching is needed, the nozzle is already prepared and can immediately print without cooling and heating cycles. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining both nozzles in a ready state, preventing leakage while ensuring quick material switching capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the printing process is interrupted to replace building material, then material versatility is improved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining both nozzles in an active, heated state with materials continuously fed through both extruders. This eliminates interruptions for material replacement, allowing seamless switching between materials without stopping the printing process, thus maintaining high productivity while supporting material versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the printing head is removed from the printing zone for material replacement, then material changing capability is improved, but printing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the material replacement function with the printing process by incorporating dual extruders that can switch materials without removing the printing head from the printing zone. The material switching occurs in-place through a switching mechanism, combining the benefits of material versatility with continuous high-speed printing.
4Productivity
If inactive nozzles remain open and heated, then quick material switching is enabled, but plastic accumulates on nozzles forming flash that impedes pumping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful flash accumulation problem by implementing a switching mechanism that closes the inactive nozzle valve when not in use. This isolates the inactive nozzle, preventing plastic from accumulating and forming flash, while the active nozzle continues to operate reliably. The extraction of the problematic condition (open inactive nozzle) resolves the contradiction between quick switching and pumping reliability.
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 approach enhances the quality and speed of 3D model production by reducing material waste and idle time, resulting in faster and more reliable printing processes.
Implementation Method 1
heating the filaments by temperature-controlled heaters
Implementation Method 2
a cam gear motor which rotates a cam gear, a movable platform whose trajectory is restricted and directed by guide rollers is propelled around the axis of a pivot screw
Implementation Method 3
supplying a filament to the active nozzle under pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to the field of additive manufacturing, i.e. the manufacture of three-dimensional physical objects by the successive deposition (layering) of polymer materials, and more particularly relates to 3D jet printing techniques. The present method of printing on a 3D jet printer includes the controlled displacement of a 3D printer printing head, the supply of at least two filaments of a fusible material to the printing head, the heating of the filaments by temperature-controlled heaters, the alternate activation of one of the nozzles by means of a printer control module, and the pressurized supply of a filament to the active nozzle. During switching of the nozzles, the printer control module activates a printing head displacement module, which transfers one of the nozzles into an active position. The movement of a movable platform alters the position of the nozzles relative to a valve for the nozzles, closing off the openings of the inactive nozzles and freeing the opening of the active nozzle. Once the movable platform has been completely secured in an active nozzle activation position, the printer continues printing using the active nozzle. The technical result is an increase in the quality of the 3D models produced.