3D Printer Ultrasonic Water Nozzle for Powder Scattering Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D printing technologies face issues with powder scattering during the bonding process, which can affect the quality of the object and potentially damage the binder nozzle.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printer equipped with a fine water nozzle that atomizes water into fine particles using ultrasonic waves and sprays them into the build box, combined with a descending airflow generated by a blowing fan, to prevent powder scattering by maintaining humidity and reducing powder mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If binder is sprayed onto powder layer to bond powder together, then object quality is improved through proper bonding, but powder scattering occurs affecting quality and potentially damaging the binder nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
A flow control plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the binder nozzle and the powder layer. This plate regulates and directs the binder flow to precisely where it is needed, preventing binder spray from causing powder scattering while ensuring proper bonding occurs in the intended areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control plate creates localized binder application zones, ensuring that binder is sprayed only where needed on the powder layer. This localized approach prevents unnecessary binder spray from causing powder scattering in surrounding areas while maintaining effective bonding in target zones.
2Strength
If binder spray is used to bond powder, then layer bonding is achieved, but spray ports may be blocked by scattered powder interfering with binder spraying
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control plate serves as a protective intermediary that shields the binder nozzle and spray ports from direct exposure to scattered powder. By channeling the binder flow through controlled pathways, it prevents powder particles from reaching and blocking the spray ports while maintaining effective binder application.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If humidity is increased to prevent powder scattering, then powder mobility is reduced, but chamber temperature may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The humidity control function is extracted from the main build chamber environment and implemented locally through the flow control plate structure. The plate creates a localized humid microenvironment at the binder application zone without requiring the entire chamber to be humidified, thus preventing powder scattering locally without significant temperature increase in the whole chamber.
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 solution effectively prevents powder scattering, thereby improving the quality of the object and reducing the risk of damage to the binder nozzle, while also controlling humidity without increasing the chamber temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a fine water nozzle disposed on a side of the binder nozzle, disposed above the build box and configured to atomize water into fine water particles using ultrasonic waves and spraying the fine water particles into the build box
Data Source
AI summary
A 3D printer has a powder scattering prevention function for forming an object layer by layer using powder. The 3D printer is capable of improving the quality of an object by preventing undesired scattering of powder. The 3D printer may include a build box provided therein with a build plate; a supply box provided therein with a supply plate configured to supply powder to the build box; a binder nozzle disposed above the build box and configured to spray a binder into the build box; and a fine water nozzle disposed on a side of the binder nozzle, disposed above the build box and configured to atomize water into fine water particles using ultrasonic waves and spraying the fine water particles into the build box.