3D Printer Filament Speed Adaptation via Closed-Loop Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional FFF devices for 3D printing face challenges in dynamically adjusting print speed to match current printing conditions, leading to potential filament slippage, distortion, and unsatisfactory print quality due to manual speed settings and lack of real-time feedback.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that utilize sensors to continuously detect the absolute distance traveled by a filament and the rotational speed of the motor, allowing for dynamic adjustment of print speed through a controller, enabling quick reaction to errors and optimizing print quality by adapting speed based on current conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual speed setting is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to adapt to varying printing conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor filament position and motor rotation, and the controller adjusts print speed based on detected deviations. This closed-loop control system automatically adapts to varying printing conditions, maintaining high manufacturing precision without requiring complex manual intervention or pre-testing procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of print speed based on real-time detection of filament slippage and motor performance. The controller automatically compensates for deviations without user intervention, eliminating the need for manual speed setting and pre-testing, thereby maintaining precision while keeping the control system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If constant print speed is maintained, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to inability to optimize speed for different print conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint speedVSAvoidspeed control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static constant speed control to dynamic speed adjustment. The system continuously monitors filament position and motor rotation, automatically varying print speed according to real-time conditions such as filament slippage detection. This enables optimization of productivity across different print conditions while the controller handles the complexity, maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If high print speed is used, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to filament slippage and tracking errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilament positioning accuracyVSAvoidprint speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to continuously monitor filament position and motor rotation at high speeds, detecting slippage and tracking errors in real-time. The controller receives this feedback and automatically adjusts speed or corrects positioning errors, maintaining high filament positioning accuracy even at elevated print speeds that would otherwise cause slippage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Manufacturing precision

If manual speed setting based on experiments is used, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but loss of time increases due to time-consuming pretests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting accuracyVSAvoidpretest duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system eliminates the need for manual pre-testing by automatically detecting and adapting to optimal print speeds through real-time monitoring of filament position and motor performance. The controller performs self-calibration and continuous adjustment during actual printing operations, maintaining high printing accuracy while completely eliminating time-consuming pretest procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Through continuous feedback from sensors monitoring filament travel distance and motor rotation, the system automatically determines optimal speed parameters during initial printing operations and continuously adapts thereafter. This replaces manual experimental calibration with automated real-time optimization, maintaining precision without time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4046780A1Device and method for adapting a speed of printing of three-dimensional objects
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 INNOVATIQ GMBH CO KG
  • EP4046780A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4046780A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4046780A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device and a method for adapting a speed of printing of three-dimensional objects are provided. The device (100) includes a drive device (1) including at least a motor (2), which is configured to drive and transport a filament (3) with a current speed, a first detection device (4) configured to permanently detect a first speed value based on a current travelled absolute distance of the filament (3) at least in a first direction, and a controller (6) configured to receive a second rotational speed value of the motor (2) and to receive the first speed value from the first detection device (4) and to determine a control signal at least based on a difference between the first speed value and the second speed value and to automatically adapt and adjust at least the speed of the motor (2) based on the control signal.