3D Printing Resin Feeding Device Pneumatic Auto-Replenishment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D printing apparatuses face model printing failures and low efficiency due to manual resin liquid supplementation when the resin level in the vat is insufficient, leading to inefficiencies in the printing process.

Innovation Solution

A feeding device is introduced that includes a driving device and a conveying system, which automatically replenishes resin liquid by inputting gas into a container connected to the resin vat when the liquid level falls below a preset height, ensuring continuous printing without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual feeding of resin liquid is used in existing 3D printing apparatus, then the resin liquid can be supplemented when needed, but model printing failure and low printing efficiency occur due to manual intervention and potential delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting success rateVSAvoidprinting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors resin liquid level and performs feeding operations without manual intervention. The feeding device detects when resin level is low and automatically conveys new resin from the storage container to the resin vat, enabling the system to service itself and eliminate delays associated with manual feeding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a sensing mechanism that continuously monitors the resin liquid level in the resin vat and provides feedback to the control system. When the liquid level falls below a threshold, the system automatically triggers the feeding operation to restore the resin level, ensuring continuous operation without printing failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If automatic feeding device is implemented, then printing efficiency and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feeding device utilizes pneumatic principles where gas is introduced into the storage container to increase internal pressure and force the resin liquid through the conveying pipe into the resin vat. This pneumatic mechanism provides automatic feeding functionality without requiring complex mechanical pumps or motors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes a return mechanism that allows excess or depleted resin liquid to flow back from the resin vat to the storage container through gravity or pressure differential. This recovering function extends the operational cycle and reduces waste without requiring additional complex active components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

This solution prevents model printing failures and enhances printing efficiency by maintaining a consistent resin level, reducing waste, and allowing for automatic recycling of excess resin, thus optimizing the 3D printing process.

Implementation Method 1

the driving device inputs gas into the container through the conveying device, such that the resin liquid inside the container is conveyed into the resin vat through the conveying device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4008525B1Feeding devices and 3D printing apparatuses
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 SHENZHEN ANYCUBIC TECH CO LTD
  • EP4008525B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4008525B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Disclosed are a feeding device and a 3D printing apparatus. The feeding device includes a resin vat, a driving device and a conveying device, wherein the driving device is connected to the resin vat, the driving device is connected to a container filled with a resin liquid through the conveying device, and the interior of the container is further in communication with the resin vat through the conveying device. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the height of the resin liquid inside the resin vat is lower than a first preset height, the driving device inputs gas into the container through the conveying device, such that the resin liquid inside the container is conveyed into the resin vat through the conveying device, thus under conditions that a liquid level height of the resin liquid inside the resin vat is low and that the printing apparatus can be lack of the resin liquid, automatic feeding is achieved to avoid a model printing failure due to lack of the resin liquid, and thereby printing efficiency is improved without manually supplementing the resin liquid to reprint a model.