Powder Supply Assembly for Additive Manufacturing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional printing systems are slow, have low throughput, and are costly to operate, with inefficiencies in material delivery processes.
Innovation Solution
A processing machine with a powder supply assembly that includes a container region for retaining powder, a flow control assembly for precise powder distribution, and an actuator system for efficient refilling, designed to accurately and evenly deposit powder onto a build platform using a combination of vibration and structural features to control powder flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing three-dimensional printing systems are used, then the system can build three-dimensional objects, but the building process is slow and has low throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The powder supply system is divided into multiple container regions (first container region for active supply, second container region for refill) with separate flow control assemblies. This segmentation allows continuous operation while one region is being refilled, thereby increasing throughput and reducing idle time in the building process
Solution Approach 2:
The second container region is pre-filled with powder and positioned ready to refill the first container region before it becomes empty. The actuator system is pre-configured to transfer powder from the second to the first container region, ensuring continuous powder supply without interrupting the building process, thus improving productivity
2Manufacturing precision
If existing material delivery processes are used, then powder can be supplied to the build platform, but the distribution is inefficient and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control assembly includes movable flow control members that can dynamically adjust the flow of powder from the container regions to the build platform. This dynamic control allows precise regulation of powder distribution rates and patterns, improving both accuracy and efficiency of material delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that monitor powder flow and distribution characteristics in real-time, providing feedback to the flow control assembly. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustment of flow parameters to maintain precise powder distribution while optimizing delivery efficiency
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 enhances the accuracy and speed of three-dimensional object formation, reducing the time required to build objects and improving the overall efficiency of the three-dimensional printing process.
Implementation Method 1
the flow structure can allow powder to flow therethrough upon sufficient vibration of the first container region. Moreover, the flow control assembly can include a vibration generator that is secured to the first container region.
Implementation Method 2
the actuator system can include a movable part and a part mover assembly that selectively moves the movable part relative to the second container region to urge the powder from the refill outlet.
Implementation Method 3
the flow structure can allow powder to flow therethrough upon sufficient vibration of the first container region
Data Source
AI summary
A processing machine (10) for building an object (11) from powder (12) includes a build platform (434A); a powder supply assembly (418); and an energy system (22) that melts the powder (12) on the build platform (434A) to form the object (11). The powder supply assembly (418) can include (i) a first container region (444A) that retains the powder (12) prior to distribution onto the build platform (434A); (ii) a supply outlet (439) positioned over the build platform (434A); (iii) a flow control assembly (442) that selectively controls the flow of the powder (12) from the first container region (444A) to the supply outlet (439); (iv) a second container region (446A) that retains the powder (12) for refilling the first container region (444A); and (v) an actuator system (448) that urges powder (12) from the second container region (446A) to fill the first container region (444A).