3D Print Head Vibration Compensation via Segmented Active Passive Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for printing 3D surfaces using inkjet technology face challenges due to vibrations from manipulators, which disrupt print quality, especially when using standard industrial robots, as high actuating forces are required to compensate for these vibrations, and are impractical for large objects.
Innovation Solution
A device with a manipulator-guided print head featuring a dual-component vibration compensation system, comprising an active component for low-frequency vibrations and a passive component for high-frequency vibrations, decoupling the print head from manipulator vibrations, allowing for effective compensation with reduced actuating forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a manipulator is used to guide the print head, then the print head can reach large or curved surfaces, but vibrations from the manipulator disturb the print image
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration compensation system is segmented into two independent components: an active component for low-frequency vibrations and a passive component for high-frequency vibrations. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific frequency range, effectively reducing overall vibrations without requiring a single complex system that would be difficult to implement on standard manipulators
Solution Approach 2:
A vibration compensation system is introduced as an intermediary between the manipulator and the print head. This intermediary system (comprising active and passive components) decouples the print head from manipulator vibrations, allowing the print head to maintain stability while the manipulator continues to provide positioning capability for large or curved surfaces
2Manufacturing precision
If vibration compensation is implemented directly on the manipulator, then vibration reduction is achieved, but the actuating forces required are excessively high and costly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the vibration compensation into active (low-frequency) and passive (high-frequency) components, the system avoids the need for a single high-force active system. The passive component handles high-frequency vibrations without requiring actuating forces, while the active component only needs to compensate for lower-frequency vibrations, significantly reducing the required actuating forces compared to a full-active system
Solution Approach 2:
The passive vibration compensation component uses a simplified mechanical structure (such as springs or dampers) that copies the vibration reduction function without requiring complex active control systems. This allows vibration compensation to be achieved with minimal actuating forces by relying on passive mechanical properties rather than high-force active actuators
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
Enables high-quality printing of 3D objects by adequately compensating for manipulator vibrations, ensuring print image stability with minimal disturbance, even on large or curved surfaces, using a combination of active and passive vibration compensation components.
Implementation Method 1
The active component comprises an active vibration damper with a mass body and an actuator for moving the mass body
Implementation Method 2
the passive component compensates for high vibration frequencies, i.e. vibration frequencies greater than a cut-off frequency
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An inventive device for printing at least a region of the surface of a so-called 3D object, e.g., a curved vehicle body part, wherein the device (1) comprises a manipulator (4), e.g., an articulated-arm robot with six degrees of freedom, with an (inkjet) printhead (6) arranged thereon, is characterized in that the device includes a vibration compensation system for the printhead, wherein the system comprises an active component (10, 10', 10") and a passive component (5). Vibrations of the manipulator that would disturb the printed image can thus be effectively prevented.