Pivotable Tray Cleaning System for Additive Manufacturing Resin Reclamation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current additive manufacturing systems face challenges in efficiently reclaiming and recycling resin, leading to waste and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A tray cleaning system that includes a chassis, a filter receptacle, and an upper assembly with a pivotable tray platform, allowing for precise control over resin release and filtration, thereby minimizing waste and facilitating efficient resin reclamation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If resin is released from the tray during additive manufacturing, then the build plate can be cleaned and reused, but resin waste increases and collection efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A filtration system is introduced as an intermediary between the resin tray and collection container. The filter receptacle with removable filter captures resin droplets from the released resin stream, preventing them from contaminating the build plate while allowing clean air to pass through. This mediator enables effective resin collection and plate cleaning simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful resin droplets are extracted from the resin release stream using the filter. The filter receptacle is positioned to intercept and capture resin particles as they are released from the tray, separating them from the main resin flow and preventing waste and contamination.
2Loss of substance
If a filtration system is added to collect resin, then resin waste is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is segmented into modular components: a filter receptacle that can be independently installed and removed, and a removable filter element. This segmentation allows the filtration function to be added without permanently complicating the overall system structure, and enables easy maintenance and filter replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter receptacle is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be installed when needed for resin collection and removed when not required. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt between filtration mode and direct resin release mode, reducing overall system complexity.
3Loss of substance
If resin is released without precise control, then cleaning is simplified, but resin waste and contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter receptacle acts as a mediator that simplifies the control requirement. Instead of needing complex active control mechanisms to precisely direct resin flow, the passive filter receptacle automatically intercepts resin droplets as they are released, providing effective containment without complex control systems.
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 system effectively reduces resin waste by ensuring precise resin release and collection, minimizes equipment size, and simplifies cleaning processes, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
A filter receptacle is provided, configured to receive and locate a resin filter for capturing resin droplets
Implementation Method 2
A magnetically-actuated mechanism is provided, configured to move the upper assembly to pivot the tray
Data Source
AI summary
One variation of a system includes a chassis: defining a set of platform mounts defining a pivot axis; and a slot arranged between the set of platform mounts and configured to transiently retain a filter receptacle below the pivot axis. The system further includes a tray platform: pivotably coupled to the set of platform mounts; defining a tray-receiving section configured to receive a tray defining a fluid release point and configured to retain a volume of resin; and defining a set of supports arranged about the tray-receiving section and configured to locate the fluid release point at the fixed pivot location. The system further includes a tray lock coupled to the platform and configured to transiently generate a magnetic field to draw the tray against the tray-receiving section and cooperate with the set of tray supports to constrain the fluid release point to the fixed pivot location.