Rotatable Extruder Guide Unit for FDM 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing technologies produce objects with moderate mechanical properties, limiting their use to aesthetic or display purposes, and lack the structural reliability needed for other applications.
Innovation Solution
An additive manufacturing device with a printer extruder and guide unit that allows for the translation and rotation of the extruder along multiple axes, enabling the deposition of filaments in inclined directions, which enhances the mechanical properties of the printed objects by reinforcing the structure in parallel planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional FDM 3D printing technology is used to produce three-dimensional objects, then the manufacturing process is simple and costs are competitive, but the mechanical properties of the objects are moderate and structural reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rotation of the extruder around rotation axes, adding a new dimension of movement beyond conventional linear translation. This enables filament deposition at inclined angles relative to the support plane, creating interwoven layer structures that significantly improve mechanical strength and structural reliability while maintaining the basic FDM manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The guide unit is configured to dynamically adjust the extruder's orientation by rotating it around one or more rotation axes during the printing process. This dynamic capability allows the extruder to deposit filaments at varying angles, transforming the static layer-by-layer deposition into a dynamic process that creates reinforced interwoven structures
2Reliability
If the extruder is rotated around rotation axes to deposit inclined filaments, then the mechanical properties and structural reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it translates the extruder along rectilinear axes and simultaneously rotates the extruder around rotation axes. This multi-functionality allows a single component system to achieve both positional control and orientational control, improving structural reliability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
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 device produces three-dimensional objects with improved mechanical properties and structural reliability, enabling their use beyond aesthetic purposes, while maintaining competitive manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the nozzle deposits successive layers of extruded thermoplastic filaments... the section is deposited at high temperature... the melting area is formed, which guarantees cohesion between the two sections
Implementation Method 2
a printer extruder configured to print a filament... the guide unit is configured to translate the extruder along one or more reference axes
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns an additive manufacturing device (1) to obtain a three-dimensional object. The device (1) comprises a printer extruder (10) configured to print a filament of extruded material and a guide unit (100) configured to translate said extruder (10) along one or more translation axes (150, 250). The device also comprises a support (12) that defines a support plane for the three-dimensional object. The support is rotatable around a rotation axis (550) substantially orthogonal to said support plane. According to the invention the guide unit (100) is also configured to rotate said extruder (10) around one or more rotation axes (350, 450) so as to confer corresponding degrees of freedom in rotation to the extruder.