Refractory Metal Induction Heating Body for High-Temperature Glass 3D Printing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing technologies are limited in achieving high temperatures required for printing glass objects, as existing printer heads with refractory ceramics suffer from inefficiency, high energy consumption, and thermo shock resistance issues, leading to impurities and bubbles in molten glass.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printer head made of refractory metals like Molybdenum, Tungsten, or Rhenium, heated by a High Frequency induction coil, which allows for temperatures above 1000°C, enabling efficient glass printing with high viscosity glasses like quartz, and uses gas supply channels to prevent oxidation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If refractory ceramics (corundum) are used for the heating body, then high temperature resistance is improved, but thermo shock resistance deteriorates and chemical attack resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where a refractory metal (such as molybdenum, tungsten, or rhenium) serves as the base material for the heating body, and a refractory ceramic coating (such as corundum, alumina, or zirconia) is applied as a surface layer. This composite approach allows the heating body to achieve both high temperature resistance from the ceramic coating and good thermo shock resistance from the metallic base, resolving the contradiction between maximum temperature resistance and reliability.
2Temperature
If refractory ceramics (corundum) are used for the heating body, then high temperature resistance is improved, but chemical attack resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure with a refractory metal base and a refractory ceramic coating layer. The ceramic coating (such as corundum, alumina, or zirconia) provides chemical inertness that protects against glass attack, while the metallic base provides mechanical strength and thermal conductivity. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the heating body to withstand high temperatures while the ceramic coating prevents chemical contamination of the molten glass.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractory ceramic coating acts as an intermediary barrier between the heating body and the molten glass. This coating layer prevents direct contact and chemical reaction between the glass and the heating body materials, eliminating the harmful chemical attack while still allowing thermal energy transfer to melt the glass.
3Device complexity
If conventional heating methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional resistive heating elements with induction heating technology. An induction coil generates an electromagnetic field that directly induces eddy currents in the refractory metal heating body, heating it efficiently without direct contact. This substitution of electromagnetic induction for conventional thermal conduction heating improves energy efficiency while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
4Ease of operation
If maximum temperature of 250°C is used, then ease of operation is improved, but temperature capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs induction heating to achieve temperatures above 1000°C, replacing the conventional 250°C resistive heating system. The induction coil and refractory metal heating body enable high temperature operation while maintaining ease of operation through automated temperature control and simplified heating mechanism. This resolves the contradiction by enabling high temperature capability without sacrificing operational simplicity.
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 efficient 3D printing of glass with high viscosity at elevated temperatures without the limitations of refractory ceramics, reducing impurities and bubbles, and extending the printer head's lifespan through protective gas environments.
Implementation Method 1
an induction coil arranged around the heating body so as to heat the heating body by way of electromagnetic induction if a HF voltage is applied across the induction coil
Data Source
AI summary
A printer head for 3D printing of glass and a method of 3D printing of glass is disclosed. In one embodiment, the printer head comprises a heating body made of a refractory metal, a through hole arranged in a central part of the heating body for feeding glass through the heating body, a nozzle arranged on the heating body at an outlet of the through hole, and an induction coil arranged around the heating body and to heat the heating body by way of electromagnetic induction if a HF voltage is applied across the induction coil.