Powder Supply Module With Closed-Loop Drying for Additive Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing machines struggle with efficiently drying powder without disrupting their operation, leading to lower quality parts due to high humidity levels.
Innovation Solution
A module for supplying additive manufacturing powder that includes a circulation system to move damp powder and a suction system to remove moisture, avoiding mechanical disturbance, supplemented by sensors and inert gas to enhance drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heating elements are used to raise the temperature of the powder, then the drying efficiency is improved, but the energy consumption increases and the risk of overheating the powder rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a circulation system with airflow to transport powder through the drying chamber and remove moisture, replacing thermal heating methods with pneumatic circulation for drying, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining drying efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a controlled atmosphere environment in the drying chamber that facilitates moisture removal without requiring high temperatures, using atmospheric control rather than thermal energy to achieve drying
2Productivity
If vacuum draw systems are used to extract moisture from the powder, then the drying efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a circulation system using airflow and pressure differentials to achieve moisture extraction, replacing complex vacuum systems with simpler pneumatic circulation mechanisms that maintain drying effectiveness while reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system automatically transports powder and removes moisture through continuous airflow circulation, eliminating the need for complex vacuum control systems and making the drying process self-regulating
3Productivity
If mechanical elements are used to agitate or stir the powder, then the drying efficiency is improved, but the machine operation is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses airflow circulation to move and redistribute powder particles during drying, replacing mechanical agitation with pneumatic transport that achieves drying efficiency without physical contact or mechanical disturbance to the machine operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical stirring or agitation systems with a pneumatic circulation system that uses airflow to achieve powder movement and moisture removal, eliminating mechanical elements that could disturb machine operation
4Productivity
If the powder is circulated through a closed loop system, then the drying efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transports powder, distributes it for drying, removes moisture, and returns dried powder to the hopper, consolidating multiple drying-related operations into a single integrated system that reduces overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The closed-loop circulation system enables continuous powder movement and drying without interruption, maintaining constant airflow and moisture removal, which improves drying efficiency while the integrated nature of the continuous circulation reduces the need for multiple separate components
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 dries the powder quickly and efficiently without interfering with the machine's operation, ensuring high-quality part production.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation system designed to set powder in motion according to a circulation loop closed on itself
Implementation Method 2
a suction system remote from the main hopper, the suction system being designed to evacuate gas present in the circulation loop
Implementation Method 3
a dry inert gas supply system designed to supply the circulation loop with dry inert gas below the main hopper
Data Source
AI summary
A supply module (2) for supplying additive manufacturing powder comprises: a main hopper (29) for storing additive manufacturing powder, the main hopper (29) being designed to be connected to a manufacturing module (4) configured to additively manufacture an object from the powder; an inlet (211) of the supply module (2) designed to be connected to the manufacturing module (4) and to receive powder located in the manufacturing module (4); a glovebox (25) being able to be closed in a sealed manner; a provisioning circuit configured to transfer powder located in the glovebox (25) to the main hopper (29); and a circulation system designed to set powder in motion according to a circulation loop closed on itself, the circulation system comprising a suction system (21) designed to evacuate gas present in the circulation loop, the circulation loop passing through the main hopper (29) and the suction system (21).