Pulsed UV Nozzle for Selective Curing in 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing technologies are limited in their ability to cure materials selectively across different areas of a 3D object's surface and often require the entire deposited material to be cured, which does not meet the varying physical property requirements for specific applications.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printing nozzle with an integrated ultraviolet light guide that allows for selective curing of materials by directing UV light to specific portions of the object, either before or after deposition, using a pulsed UV light source and a tapered orifice design to enhance material flow and curing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire deposited material is cured, then the material achieves sufficient mechanical properties, but the ability to create varying physical properties across different areas is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by integrating a UV light guide within the nozzle structure that can be selectively activated to cure material only in specific regions. The light guide includes a light-emitting tip positioned at the nozzle exit, allowing UV light to be directed precisely where needed on the deposited material, creating different physical properties in different areas while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The curing function is segmented from the general deposition process by using a separate UV light guide component within the nozzle. This segmentation allows independent control of curing in specific regions, enabling selective curing of only portions of the deposited material while leaving other areas uncured or differently cured.
2Manufacturing precision
If UV light is integrated into the nozzle for selective curing, then curing precision is improved, but the nozzle structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the UV light guide with the nozzle body, integrating the curing function directly into the deposition tool. The light guide is positioned within the nozzle structure with its light-emitting tip at or near the nozzle exit, combining material deposition and selective curing in a single integrated component rather than requiring separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated nozzle serves multiple functions: it deposits material through the material channel and simultaneously provides selective curing through the integrated UV light guide. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate curing apparatus and simplifies the overall system while maintaining curing precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If the light-emitting tip is positioned at the nozzle exit, then selective curing of deposited material is enhanced, but material buildup on the tip may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The light-emitting tip is extracted as a separate, removable component from the nozzle body. This allows the tip to be easily removed and cleaned of material buildup without disassembling the entire nozzle structure, maintaining reliability while preserving the positioning benefits for selective curing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for easy disposal of the light-emitting tip when it becomes excessively contaminated with material buildup, and replacement with a new tip. This recovery approach maintains system reliability without requiring complex cleaning mechanisms, while the tip remains positioned at the nozzle exit for precise selective curing.
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 the creation of objects with varying material properties by selectively curing specific areas, improving the versatility and precision of 3D printing, while maintaining efficient material flow and allowing for easy maintenance of the nozzle components.
Implementation Method 1
selectively directing ultraviolet light from the dispenser to the target location of the substrate... curing the precursor material
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle for a 3D printer has a body having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a material channel through the body. The body circumscribes at least a portion of the material channel. The material channel has a proximal orifice at the first end and a distal orifice at the second end. The nozzle has an ultraviolet light guide coupled with the body. The ultraviolet light guide has a first end, a second end, and a light-emitting tip with a first end and a second end. The first end of the light-emitting tip is coupled with the second end of the ultraviolet light guide.