3D Printer Heating Member and Stage Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional modeling devices face complexity in controlling the heating process due to the need to move energy sources to heat positions ahead of nozzles, complicating the stacking of layers and affecting the adhesiveness and accuracy of the three-dimensional shaped articles.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional modeling device with a heating section that includes a matrix of individually controlled heaters and adjustable members, allowing for uniform heating of the modeling area regardless of nozzle positions, and a transfer mechanism that moves nozzles and stage to maintain consistent heating coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an energy source is moved to heat positions ahead of the nozzle to enhance adhesiveness, then the adhesiveness between layers is improved, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is segmented from the nozzle assembly and integrated into the build plate. The build plate is divided into multiple heating zones with independent temperature control, allowing selective heating of specific areas without requiring movement of energy sources. This segmentation simplifies the overall system control while maintaining effective heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The build plate acts as an intermediary heating element between the energy source and the material layers. Instead of moving the energy source to heat material ahead of the nozzle, the build plate is heated to transfer thermal energy to the material during deposition, simplifying the heating control mechanism.
2Manufacturing precision
If the energy source is repositioned to heat ahead of the nozzle, then layer stacking is improved, but the positioning accuracy and control precision decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the energy source to heat material ahead of the nozzle, the invention inverts the approach by heating the build plate itself. The build plate is heated to a temperature that facilitates material adhesion, eliminating the need for complex positioning of energy sources while maintaining layer stacking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The build plate performs the heating function for itself and the material layers. By incorporating heating elements directly into the build plate, the system achieves self-regulated heating without requiring external energy sources to be repositioned, thereby maintaining positioning precision while improving layer stacking.
3Device complexity
If a heating section is fixed relative to the stage, then the heating control is simplified, but the heating coverage and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The heating section is made dynamic by coupling it to the movable stage. As the stage moves to different positions during the 3D printing process, the heating section moves accordingly, maintaining relative positioning and ensuring continuous heating coverage across the entire build area. This dynamic coupling preserves heating control simplicity while expanding adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating section is designed with multiple heating zones that can be independently controlled, allowing it to serve multiple functions: heating specific areas, maintaining uniform temperature across the build plate, and adapting to different build plate positions. This multi-functionality enhances versatility without significantly increasing control complexity.
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 configuration simplifies the control of the heating process, enhances adhesiveness between layers, improves shaping accuracy, and reduces the risk of deformation or breakage of the heating member, while allowing for efficient heating and stable positioning of the nozzles and stage.
Implementation Method 1
a heating member 620 configured to heat the shaped material stacked in the modeling area
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A three-dimensional modeling device (100) includes a plasticizing section (30) for plasticizing a material to generate a shaping material, a stage (300) on which the shaping material is stacked, a nozzle (61) which has a nozzle opening (62), and ejects the shaping material from the nozzle opening toward a modeling area on the stage, a transfer mechanism section for changing a relative position between the nozzle and the stage, and a heating section (600) having a heater (610) and a heating member (620) for heating the shaping material stacked in the modeling area with heat supplied from the heater. The nozzle opening is located between the stage and the heating section in a stacking direction of the shaping material, the heating section is configured so that a relative position to the stage changes together with the nozzle, and the heating member covers at least the modeling area when viewed along the stacking direction.