3D Print Head with Adjustable Volume Chamber for Confectionery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D printing technologies for confectionery materials face challenges in controlling pressure, requiring large containers of molten chocolate, which leads to difficulties in starting print operations and results in high downtime due to the need for melting and tempering, and also struggles with handling and packaging of printed products.
Innovation Solution
A 3D print head with an adjustable volume extrusion chamber and temperature control system, allowing for precise control over the print material's state and minimizing back pressure, enabling the use of solid or pre-heated chocolate in discrete batches, and facilitating quick start-ups and reduced downtime, along with a method for packaging printed products without direct handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large container of molten chocolate is used to supply the extrusion head, then continuous printing can be maintained, but pressure control becomes difficult and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the material supply into two separate containers (first container for initial supply, second container for continuous supply) rather than using one large container. This segmentation allows each container to be smaller and simpler while maintaining continuous printing capability through coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The extrusion head acts as an intermediary between the two containers, receiving material from the first container initially, then switching to the second container when the first is depleted. This intermediary role enables seamless transition without requiring a single large complex container system.
2Quantity of substance
If a large container of molten chocolate is used, then material supply is sufficient, but pressure control within the system becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the material supply into two separate containers reduces the volume and pressure each container must handle, making pressure control easier and more precise for each individual container while still providing sufficient total material supply.
3Reliability
If pre-extrusion and melting is performed before printing, then the material is ready for extrusion, but printing start time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by keeping the second container filled and ready in advance, so when the first container is depleted during printing, the transition to the second container can occur immediately without stopping the printing process or requiring additional melting time.
4Ease of manufacture
If discrete batches of solid chocolate are supplied to the printer, then storage and handling is easier, but the printer must be repeatedly stopped for refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by coordinating two containers so that when one is depleted, the other is ready to immediately take over supply to the extrusion head. This eliminates interruptions in the printing process while still allowing discrete batches to be stored and handled separately.
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
This solution allows for higher print accuracy, reduced trapped air, and efficient continuous printing of confectionery materials, minimizing downtime and improving handling and packaging processes.
Implementation Method 1
The print head comprises a temperature control system configured to control the temperature of at least a portion of the print head and/or at least a portion of the print material within the print head
Implementation Method 2
an adjustable volume extrusion chamber, all connected by a conduit system... the adjustable volume extrusion chamber increases in volume to define a first configuration in which the print material inlet and the adjustable volume extrusion chamber are in fluid communication with each other
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
A print head (100) for a 3D printer which includes a print material inlet (104) connectable to a source of print material (106), a print material outlet (110) and an adjustable volume extrusion chamber (108), all connected by a conduit system. The conduit system includes one or more valves operable (112) to switch the print head between (100) at least two configurations, which include: a first configuration wherein the print material inlet (104) and adjustable volume extrusion chamber (108) are in fluid communication with each other, but not with the print material outlet (110), via the conduit system; and a second configuration wherein the adjustable volume extrusion chamber (108) and the print material outlet (110) are in fluid communication with each other, but not with the print material inlet (104), via the conduit system.