Powder Bed 3D Printing with Perimeter Cutting for Layer Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current three-dimensional printing methods face challenges in efficiently forming complex objects with precise control over layer thickness and cutting strategies, leading to variations in the final product dimensions and printing time.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a powder bed with alternating layers of powder material and binding substances, where cutting tools generate perimeters according to a model design, allowing for precise control over layer thickness and cutting passes to achieve accurate and efficient object formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional layer-by-layer three-dimensional printing methods are used, then objects of various shapes can be formed, but the printing time is excessive and manufacturing efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidprinting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the printing process into two distinct stages: a rapid prototyping stage that creates a rough approximation of the object, and a finishing stage that applies precise cutting passes to achieve the final dimensions. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, with the first stage focusing on speed and the second stage on precision, thereby reducing overall printing time while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention performs preliminary action by creating a rough prototype structure first using rapid layer-by-layer deposition, which establishes the basic geometry and volume of the object. This preliminary structure serves as a foundation that significantly reduces the amount of material and time required for subsequent precision cutting operations, as the cutting tools only need to remove excess material rather than build the entire object from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If precise control over layer thickness is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer thickness controlVSAvoidprinting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies partial action by implementing precise layer thickness control only during the critical finishing cutting passes, rather than maintaining high precision throughout the entire printing process. The rapid prototyping stage uses coarser layer thickness settings, which reduces system complexity and printing time, while the precision requirements are concentrated in the final cutting stage where they are most needed for dimensional accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple cutting passes are used to achieve precise perimeters, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperimeter accuracyVSAvoidobject formation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by establishing the basic object geometry and volume through rapid layer-by-layer deposition before applying any cutting passes. This preliminary structure creation uses optimized path planning and material deposition techniques to quickly establish the rough dimensions, so that subsequent cutting passes only need to remove relatively small amounts of material to achieve final precision, thereby maintaining productivity while improving perimeter accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If binding substances are applied to bind powder material layers, then strength is improved, but material waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer binding strengthVSAvoidmaterial waste
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by concentrating binding substance application only at the interfaces between layers where binding is actually needed, rather than applying binder uniformly throughout the entire object. The binding substances are selectively deposited at layer interfaces during the printing process, providing necessary interlayer strength while minimizing unnecessary material usage in areas where binding is not required, such as within the bulk of solid regions or on external surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enables the rapid and precise formation of three-dimensional objects with controlled layer thickness and cutting strategies, reducing printing time and ensuring accurate adherence to the model design, while minimizing material waste and optimizing the binding process.

Implementation Method 1

applying a first binding substance to a first area of a first layer of powder material of the powder bed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

using a first cutter to generate one or more perimeters of the first layer, wherein the one or more perimeters of the first layer is in accordance to a model design

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical cutting: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentEP3493973B1Methods for three-dimensional printing
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 3DEO INC
  • EP3493973B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3493973B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3493973B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for the formation of three-dimensional objects. A method for forming a three-dimensional object may comprise alternately and sequentially applying a stream comprising a binding substance to an area of a layer of powder material in a powder bed, and generating at least one perimeter of the three-dimensional object in the area. The stream may be applied in accordance with a model design of the three-dimensional object. The at least one perimeter may generated in accordance with the model design.