Powder Supply Device Stir Bar Agitation for 3D Printing Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing powder spreading apparatuses in 3D printing suffer from loose powder distribution, leading to uneven powder release and poor compactness of 3D molded products, which affects their mechanical properties.

Innovation Solution

A powder supply device comprising a holder, powder storage unit, powder supply unit with stir bars and a powder roller, and a driving unit with a motor and linkage assembly, designed to agitate and evenly distribute the powder, ensuring uniform output and preventing caking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a powder roller or scraper is used for powder spreading, then the apparatus can realize powder feeding and powdering functions, but the powder becomes loose with large gaps between particles and uneven release

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowder feeding functionVSAvoidpowder distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static powder spreading mechanism into a dynamic one by introducing a rotating stir bar that actively agitates the powder layer. The stir bar rotates to continuously mix and redistribute the powder, preventing settling and ensuring uniform distribution. This dynamic approach replaces the passive roller/scraper system with an active mixing mechanism that maintains powder homogeneity throughout the spreading process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating stir bar creates mechanical agitation and vibration within the powder layer. As the stir bar rotates, it disrupts particle clustering and creates a more uniform powder distribution. The mechanical motion of the stir bar generates localized vibrations that help separate and evenly distribute powder particles, addressing the loosening and uneven release problems of conventional systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Device complexity

If conventional powder spreading apparatus is used, then the structure is simple, but the powder compactness and mechanical properties of 3D molded products are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus structureVSAvoidmechanical properties of molded product
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic stirring mechanism that actively mixes the powder during the spreading process. This dynamic approach ensures better powder consolidation and uniform distribution, which directly improves the compactness of the deposited layers. The continuous agitation prevents powder segregation and ensures consistent particle packing, leading to enhanced mechanical properties of the final molded product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stir bar performs preliminary mixing and distribution of the powder before it is deposited onto the build platform. By pre-agitating the powder in the supply chamber, the system ensures that the powder is uniformly distributed and properly consolidated before spreading. This preliminary action prevents defects that would otherwise compromise the mechanical strength of the final product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 device achieves uniform powder distribution and finer powder output, enhancing the compactness and mechanical properties of 3D molded products by agitating and quantitatively controlling the powder supply.

Implementation Method 1

The powder supply unit includes at least one stir bar and a powder roller, wherein the stir bar is pivoted on the holder and located below the outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStirring: Stirring

Implementation Method 2

the powder roller is pivoted on the holder and located below the stir bar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentUS10870237B2Powder supply device for use with powder spreaders
Publication Date: 2020.12.22 TONG TAI MASCH & TOOL CO LTD
  • US10870237B2 patent drawing
  • US10870237B2 patent drawing
  • US10870237B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A powder supply device (100) for use with powder spreaders, comprising: a fixation base (2), a powder storage unit (3), a powder supply unit (4) and a driving unit (5), wherein the powder supply unit (4) is provided with at least one stirring bar (41) and a powder spreading roller (42); using a design of a stirring bar and the powder spreading roller, powder may be stirred and extruded such that the powder becomes finer, more uniform, and does not cake during powder spreading.