Powder Spray 3D Printing Head With Short Duct Flow Cutoff
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Solution Overview
Problem
In powder-jetting 3D printing, the lengthy powder conveying duct due to the distant dispenser location results in significant powder loss and inability to stop powder flow between movements, leading to inefficiencies in material usage and manufacturing time.
Innovation Solution
A powder dispensing head with a dispensing member integrated within the printing head, allowing for relative movement to reduce duct length, enable quick powder cutoff, and incorporate recycling and mixing capabilities for multi-material components, along with a cooling system to prevent residue settling and heat-related issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the dispenser is located distant from the printing head outside the machine chamber, then space and maintenance are improved, but powder loss increases and response time lengthens
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: the printing head with integrated powder outlet remains inside the chamber for precise control, while the dispenser can be positioned externally. The powder conveying duct acts as a connecting bridge between these segmented components, allowing maintenance access while minimizing powder loss through optimized duct design.
Solution Approach 2:
The powder conveying duct is designed to be substantially received within the machine chamber, nesting the transport pathway inside the controlled environment. This reduces exposure of powder to external conditions and minimizes loss, while the dispenser itself can be positioned outside, combining the benefits of both internal and external positioning.
2Ease of operation
If the conveying duct is of substantial length, then space arrangement is improved, but response time increases and powder flow control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The powder conveying duct is pre-configured with optimized geometry and positioning to minimize length and maximize efficiency. The duct is substantially received within the machine chamber, pre-establishing a short, direct pathway that enables rapid powder delivery and quick response time while maintaining proper spatial arrangement.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If the powder flow cannot be stopped between movements, then continuous supply is maintained, but powder loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses feedback from the printing head position and laser status to dynamically control the powder flow from the dispenser. When the printing head moves or the laser stops, the system automatically stops powder supply, preventing waste while maintaining continuous supply during active printing operations.
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
Significantly reduces powder loss, enhances manufacturing efficiency by allowing precise control over powder flow and material mixing, and maintains a consistent carrier gas flow, improving the overall 3D printing process.
Implementation Method 1
melting one or more powder(s) using a high-energy beam, for example a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
The powder is conveyed in a stream of carrier gas, for example argon, and is carried to a melting point to be melted by a beam, for example a laser beam
Implementation Method 3
The powder is conveyed in a stream of carrier gas, for example argon
Data Source
AI summary
A powder dispensing head (1) for an additive manufacturing machine comprises a through-opening designed to allow the passage of a high-energy beam towards the melting point, a body (2) comprising N powder conveying ducts uniformly distributed about the through-opening and converging towards the melting point, a dispensing member (3) comprising a powder dispensing chamber having a powder inlet, and N powder outlets uniformly distributed about the through-opening, the body (2) and the dispensing member (3) being configured to be able to move relative to one another so as to fluidically connect or disconnect the powder outlets with respect to the respective powder conveying ducts according to the relative position of the dispensing member (3) with respect to the body (2).