3D Printer Stirring Mechanism for Photopolymer Curing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3D printing using photopolymer materials, the accumulation of light energy during the curing process can lead to unintended curing of uncured photopolymer, affecting the subsequent printing process, as the material undergoes physical and chemical property changes.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printer design incorporating a stirring element and a driving element that collaboratively move to stir the liquid forming material within the container, preventing light energy accumulation by maintaining the material in a dynamic state, thereby avoiding premature curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the curing light continuously exposes the liquid forming material during the 3D printing process, then the photopolymer can be cured into solid layers for building the 3D object, but the accumulated light energy may cause unintended curing of uncured photopolymer, affecting subsequent printing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the container movable rather than stationary. The container is configured to move away from or move close to the bottom of the forming cavity in response to the position of the forming platform. This dynamic motion prevents light energy accumulation by continuously changing the exposure conditions of the liquid forming material, thereby avoiding unintended curing while maintaining reliable printing process stability.
2Device complexity
If the container remains stationary during the 3D printing process, then the structure is simple and easy to control, but the liquid forming material accumulates light energy and may undergo unintended curing
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It includes a movable container that can adjust its position relative to the forming cavity bottom based on the forming platform position. This dynamic design prevents light energy accumulation in the liquid forming material while maintaining relatively simple structural complexity, thus ensuring material property stability throughout the printing process.
3Productivity
If the forming platform moves continuously through the liquid forming material, then the 3D object can be built layer by layer, but the photopolymer in the container is continuously exposed to curing light and may cure prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed with dynamic motion capability that coordinates with the forming platform movement. As the forming platform moves continuously to build layers, the container simultaneously adjusts its position away from or close to the bottom of the forming cavity. This coordinated dynamic motion ensures that liquid forming material is not continuously exposed to curing light, preventing premature curing while maintaining high printing speed and layer curing accuracy.
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 stirring mechanism ensures that the photopolymer remains in a controlled state, preventing unwanted curing and ensuring consistent printing quality by maintaining the material's required properties throughout the process.
Implementation Method 1
a stirring element and a driving element that collaboratively move to stir the liquid forming material within the container, preventing light energy accumulation by maintaining the material in a dynamic state
Implementation Method 2
a curing light source under the container provides a light to penetrate through the container to cure the liquid forming material located between the platform and the container into a forming layer
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A 3D printer (100) including a machine platform (110), a container (130), at least one stirring element (170) and a driving element (180) is provided. The container contains a liquid forming material, and is movably assembled to the machine platform. The stirring element is disposed in the container to move along with the container, and has a motion mode of moving away from or moving close to a bottom of the container. The driving element is fixed on the machine platform and extends into the container. The driving element and the stirring element are mutually located on moving paths of each other. During a moving process of the container, the driving element and the stirring element lean against each other to trigger the motion mode of the stirring element to move away from or move close to the bottom of the container, so as to stir the liquid forming material in the container.