Powder Supply Roller Groove Profile for Nonuniform Bed Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder supply devices in additive manufacturing struggle to adjust the powder supply amount in the axial direction, leading to surplus powder generation when the modeling surface has non-rectangular shapes, which reduces efficiency and recyclability.
Innovation Solution
A powder supply device with a cylindrical roller and varying groove capacities along its axial direction, allowing for adjustable powder supply based on the modeling surface shape, featuring groove portions with changing capacities to match the surface dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating body with constant groove capacity is used for powder supply, then the device structure is simple, but the powder supply amount cannot be adjusted and surplus powder is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The groove capacity is made non-uniform along the axial direction of the rotating body, with different sections having different capacities to match the varying width requirements of the modeling surface at different positions
Solution Approach 2:
The groove capacity distribution is designed to be adaptable to different modeling surface shapes, allowing the powder supply amount to dynamically match the surface width requirements
2Area of stationary object
If the roller length is increased to cover non-rectangular modeling surfaces, then the coverage area is improved, but the device size and powder supply control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The roller is designed with locally varied groove capacities along its axial direction, allowing different sections to supply appropriate powder amounts according to the local width of the modeling surface
Data Source
AI summary
A powder supply device includes a hopper accommodating powder, a cylindrical roller provided below the hopper and rotatable around a rotational axis, and a wall surface storing the powder in a space between the roller and the wall surface. The powder supply device moves the powder stored between the roller and the wall surface in a rotation direction of the roller and drops the powder by the roller rotating. A plurality of groove portions extending in an axial direction are formed in a peripheral surface of the roller. At least one of the groove portions is formed such that a capacity allowing the powder to be accommodated changes in the axial direction.