Pivotable Container Coater for 3D Printing Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coater arrangements for 3D printers, particularly those with large scales, face challenges in maintaining uniformity and efficiency due to potential deflection of rollers and complexity in container coaters, which affects the discharge and distribution of particulate building material.

Innovation Solution

A coater arrangement with a pivotable container that adjusts its position relative to the discharge opening, allowing for variable discharge control, including metering and selective closure, to ensure precise and efficient dispensing of particulate building material, thereby simplifying the design and improving handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a roller coater is used to apply particulate build material, then the build material can be applied in an even layer, but the roller may deflect in large-scale 3D printers, compromising coating uniformity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating uniformityVSAvoidroller support structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the roller component entirely from the coater assembly and replaces it with a container-based system that dispenses particulate material directly through gravity and vibration, eliminating the deflection issue while maintaining coating uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical roller system is replaced with a vibration-based dispensing system where a container with an output opening uses controlled vibrations to regulate material flow, substituting mechanical contact with field-based control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If a container coater is used to dispense particulate material, then large-scale printers can be implemented, but the discharge control becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuild field sizeVSAvoiddischarge control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is made dynamically adjustable with a pivotable position relative to the build field and a variable output opening size, allowing real-time control of discharge characteristics without complex mechanical mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system controls material discharge by changing parameters such as container position, output opening dimensions, and vibration frequency/intensity, providing precise control through multiple adjustable variables rather than complex mechanical regulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the container opening is large to ensure adequate discharge, then material flow is sufficient, but leakage outside the coater discharge opening increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial discharge rateVSAvoidmaterial leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Vibrations serve as an intermediary mechanism that controls the flow of particulate material through the output opening, allowing sufficient discharge while preventing leakage by regulating the material's movement through controlled oscillations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The container receives controlled vibrations that regulate the discharge of particulate material, enabling the system to maintain adequate material flow while preventing uncontrolled leakage by using vibration to control the flow dynamics through the output opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

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 enables a compact and less complex coater design that enhances the handling and usage of 3D printers by allowing for precise control over the discharge of particulate material, preventing leakage, and ensuring uniform layer formation, even in large-scale printing.

Implementation Method 1

The coater arrangement can be provided with a vibration device with which the particulate material can be set in vibration in order to influence, in particular promote, the flow or trickling behavior of the particulate building material or the discharge of the particulate building material from the output area.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3638488B1Coating arrangement for a 3D printer

Publication Date: 2020.11.04 EXONE

Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a coating arrangement (1) for a 3D printer, comprising a coater (3) with a container (5) defining an internal hollow space for receiving particulate building material, said internal hollow space leading into a container opening (7) for discharging the particulate building material from the container (5), and a discharge region (9) defining a coating discharge opening (11) for delivering the particulate building material from the coater (3) to a construction field. The container (5) is movable relative to the coating discharge opening (11) so that a discharge of particulate building material from the internal hollow space through the container opening (7) and the coating discharge opening (11) to the construction field can be varied by a movement of the container (5) relative to the coating discharge opening.