Peclet Gap Seal for Additive Manufacturing Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing systems face challenges in maintaining high purity inert environments and controlled temperatures, particularly in magnetohydrodynamic printing, due to contamination from mechanical components and the need for frequent system access, which complicates the production and maintenance of sealed volumes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a controlled environment system utilizing Péclet gap seals, which create a thin film of gas to isolate the interior from the exterior, allowing for relative motion while maintaining high purity and temperature control, by using an external gas supply to form a seal between moving components, thereby reducing contamination and thermal issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a sealed volume is used to maintain high purity inert atmosphere and temperature control, then manufacturing precision and product quality are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase due to frequent access requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a sealed build volume and an external access area. The build plate can be independently moved between these zones, allowing the sealed environment to be maintained while enabling access for part removal and maintenance without compromising the overall sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer chamber or interface zone is introduced between the sealed build volume and the external environment. This intermediary space allows parts to be moved in and out without direct exposure of the sealed volume to contaminants, maintaining the inert atmosphere while enabling frequent access.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical components are placed inside the sealed volume to enable motion, then ease of operation is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to contamination from these components
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical components such as motors, ball screws, and bearings are extracted from the sealed build volume and placed in the external environment. Only essential non-contaminating components remain inside, dramatically reducing contamination sources while motion control is maintained through external actuators and magnetic fields.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical motion systems inside the sealed volume are replaced with magnetic field-based actuation (magnetohydrodynamic printing) and externally controlled positioning systems. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact and contamination while maintaining precise motion control capability.
3Ease of operation
If the sealed volume is opened frequently for access, then ease of operation is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to re-adsorption of contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the access function from the sealed volume. Users access parts through an external transfer zone without opening the main sealed chamber, allowing frequent operations while the sealed volume remains closed to prevent contaminant re-adsorption.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer chamber serves as an intermediary zone between the sealed build volume and the external environment. Parts are moved through this intermediate space, allowing user access and part removal without direct opening of the sealed volume, thus preventing contaminant ingress and re-adsorption on internal surfaces.
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 solution effectively maintains high purity inert conditions and controlled temperatures within the sealed volume, reducing contamination and thermal complications, enabling efficient additive manufacturing by isolating the interior from exterior contaminants and allowing for relative motion without compromising the seal.
Implementation Method 1
An outer platform of the enclosure has a Péclet gap seal that is disposed against a sealing plate. A flow of gas outward from the enclosure's interior seals the enclosure while permitting movement of the enclosure relative to the sealing plate.
Implementation Method 2
A flow of gas outward from the enclosure's interior is used to seal the enclosure while permitting movement of the enclosure relative to the sealing plate.
Data Source
AI summary
A controlled environment system for the additive manufacture of metal objects using magnetohydrodynamic jetting. A sealing plate is placed against an Péclet gap seal of a volume enclosure. A flow of inert gas is used to maintain a high-purity volume in the interior of the volume enclosure. A print head accesses the interior and delivers build material through a hole in the sealing plate. A build plate is movable relative to the sealing plate within the interior of the volume enclosure on which objects can be fabricated.