Recoater Head Intermediate Duct for Uniform Powder Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lamination molding apparatuses face issues with uneven material powder supply due to the need for flexible members with small inner diameters, leading to clogging, reduced feed rates, and instability in powder distribution, resulting in incomplete or uneven material coverage during the lamination process.
Innovation Solution
A lamination molding apparatus with a recoater head and material supplying unit, featuring an intermediate duct with a vertically movable elongated outlet that discharges material powder below the material holding section, eliminating the need for longitudinal movement and reducing clogging risks, allowing for stable and uniform powder supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inner diameter of the flexible member is made small to enable smooth movement, then the flexibility and ease of movement are improved, but the amount of material powder supplied per unit time decreases and clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the flexible member (hose) from the material powder supply path. Instead of using a flexible member to connect the material retaining section to the supplying opening, the invention uses a rigid structure where the supplying opening is directly formed in the material retaining section, thereby removing the bottleneck that limited both movement smoothness and powder supply rate
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the material supply function into two independent parts: the material retaining section (which holds the powder) and the supplying opening (which dispenses the powder). This segmentation allows the supplying opening to be positioned and moved independently without being constrained by a flexible member, enabling both smooth movement and adequate powder flow
2Manufacturing precision
If the supplying opening is moved along the longitudinal direction to supply powder uniformly, then the uniformity of powder distribution is improved, but the complexity of the supply system increases due to the need for flexible members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flexible member from the system, thereby simplifying the overall structure. The supplying opening is directly formed in the material retaining section, eliminating the need for complex flexible connections while maintaining the ability to move the opening along the longitudinal direction for uniform powder distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the material retaining section and the supplying opening into a single integrated structure. The supplying opening is directly formed in the material retaining section, combining the storage and dispensing functions into one component, thereby reducing system complexity while enabling precise movement for uniform powder distribution
3Manufacturing precision
If the inner diameter of the flexible member is made small to prevent overflow, then the control of powder supply is improved, but the reliability of continuous supply decreases due to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flexible member from the supply path, eliminating the clogging problem that plagued small-diameter hoses. The rigid structure with directly formed supplying opening in the material retaining section ensures reliable, continuous powder supply without the risk of flex member obstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary structure - the directly formed supplying opening in the material retaining section - that mediates between the material storage and the dispensing process. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for flexible members and prevents clogging, ensuring both controlled and reliable powder supply
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 ensures a steady and uniform supply of material powder, preventing overflow and clogging, and maintaining consistent powder distribution, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of the lamination process.
Implementation Method 1
the material powder is sent to the supplying opening by free fall
Data Source
AI summary
A lamination molding apparatus capable of supplying a material powder steadily to a recoater head, is provided. A lamination molding apparatus including a chamber covering a desired molding region and being filled with an inert gas having a desired concentration; a recoater head moving in the chamber to supply a material powder on the molding region to form a material powder layer; and a material supplying unit to supply the material powder to the recoater head; wherein the recoater head includes a material holding section to hold the material powder; and a material discharging opening to discharge the material powder in the material holding section.