Platen Module for Composite Additive Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current additive manufacturing methods face limitations such as a limited materials palette and slow build speeds, as well as issues with substrate sheets moving during printing, not lying flat, and excessive ink passing through porous sheets, which disrupts the printing process and requires frequent absorbent sheet replacement.
Innovation Solution
A printer platen apparatus that uses a bed of wire or filament to support the substrate sheet, with air suction holes to hold it in place and a reservoir to collect excess ink, allowing it to evaporate or be emptied, and optionally mechanical hold downs to prevent movement during printing and punching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an absorbent sheet is used to manage excess ink, then ink saturation is controlled, but the sheet requires frequent drying or replacement which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful function of the absorbent sheet by removing it from the system. Instead of using an absorbent sheet that requires drying or replacement, the invention uses a non-absorbent platen surface that allows ink to pass through directly to a collection reservoir below, eliminating the need for sheet maintenance and improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary collection reservoir positioned below the platen to receive excess ink that passes through the substrate sheet. This intermediary structure manages ink saturation without requiring absorbent sheets, maintaining reliability while improving productivity
2Ease of operation
If the substrate sheet is placed on the platen, then printing can proceed, but the sheet moves during printing and punching which disturbs the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic vacuum holes in the platen surface to hold the substrate sheet firmly in place during printing and punching operations. The vacuum force prevents sheet movement while maintaining ease of operation, as sheets can be easily placed and removed without complex mechanical clamping systems
Solution Approach 2:
The platen surface is segmented into multiple vacuum holes distributed across the printing area. This segmentation allows uniform vacuum distribution to hold the sheet stable throughout the entire printing and punching process, preventing localized movement or distortion
3Manufacturing precision
If the substrate sheet is held flat on the platen, then printing quality improves, but excess ink passes through the porous sheet which requires absorbent materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ink passing through the porous sheet into a beneficial outcome by directing the excess ink into a collection reservoir below the platen. The ink that would otherwise be wasted or require absorbent materials is now captured and can be reused or properly disposed of, reducing ink loss while maintaining printing 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
The solution effectively keeps the substrate sheet flat and stable, preventing ink contamination and movement, while allowing excess ink to be managed without saturating absorbent sheets, thus improving the printing process efficiency and reducing manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
Holes in the platen through which air is drawn provide suction to hold down the substrate sheet while the substrate sheet is being printed and punched
Implementation Method 2
a reservoir to collect excess ink, allowing it to evaporate or be emptied
Data Source
AI summary
A printer platen component of an apparatus for automated manufacturing of three-dimensional composite-based objects for printing onto substrate sheets. The platen solves two problems: 1) holding the sheet down without allowing it to move while printing; and 2) getting rid of excess printing fluid. The platen comprises a plate with a number of air channel openings used for suction to hold the sheet in place, a bed of wire used to suspend the sheet and to keep the sheet straight, a depressed reservoir where printing fluid accumulates, a number of punching holes, a number of screws which serve as release sites for the sheet and cooperate with tips of a gripper to transfer the sheet to the platen, and a rough surface to additionally help hold down the sheet and keep it from moving. The platen is connected to an air plenum resting underneath the main plate to provide the suction.