Resin Support Drive Control for Tension and Feed Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing additive manufacturing systems face challenges in accurately advancing the resin support a predefined distance while maintaining the target tension range during the tape casting process, which affects the precision and reliability of the manufacturing process.

Innovation Solution

A drive system with first and second control devices is implemented to control the translation distance and tension of the resin support, utilizing a computing system for real-time control through feedforward and feedback algorithms, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the resin support advancement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a drive system advances the resin support a predefined distance, then the translation distance is controlled, but the tension may deviate from the target range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetranslation distance controlVSAvoidtension control
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system incorporates feedback control mechanisms that continuously monitor the tension of the resin support during advancement. Sensors detect tension deviations from the target range and automatically adjust drive parameters to maintain tension within specified limits while achieving the predefined translation distance, thereby resolving the contradiction between distance precision and tension reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts drive parameters such as speed and torque during the resin support advancement process. By making real-time modifications to operational parameters based on monitored conditions, the system maintains both accurate translation distance and proper tension control, overcoming the static control limitations that cause the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the drive system maintains tension within target range, then reliability is improved, but translation distance accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetension controlVSAvoidtranslation distance control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Bidirectional feedback loops simultaneously monitor both tension levels and position/translation distance. The control system processes both feedback signals and makes coordinated adjustments to drive parameters, ensuring that both tension reliability and translation distance accuracy are maintained together rather than traded off against each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs multiple controllable parameters including drive speed, acceleration, and torque that can be independently adjusted. By changing these parameters in coordinated fashion based on real-time conditions, the system achieves both proper tension maintenance and accurate translation distance control, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4108420B1Drive system for additive manufacturing
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP4108420B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4108420B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4108420B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An additive manufacturing apparatus (10) includes a stage (20) configured to hold a component (12). A radiant energy device (22) is operable to generate and project radiant energy toward the stage (20). An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the stage (20) relative to the radiant energy device (22). A feed module (24) is configured to support a feed roll (74) of a resin support (28) upstream of the stage (20) about a feed mandrel (24A). A first control device (32) is operably coupled with the feed mandrel (24A). A take-up module (26) is configured to support a take-up roll (106) of the resin support (28) downstream of the stage (20) about a take-up mandrel (26A). A second control device (34) is operably coupled with the take-up mandrel (26A). A computing system (66) is operably coupled with one or more sensors. The computing system (66) is configured to provide commands to at least one of the first control device (32) or the second control device (34) to respectively rotate the first control device (32) or the second control device (34) to obtain a target tension on the resin support (28).