Rotatable Printhead for High-Resolution 3D Inkjet Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D inkjet printing methods require a large number of passes to achieve sufficient resolution orthogonally to the print direction, which either increases costs or reduces productivity, as increasing nozzle density or the number of passes slows down the printing process.
Innovation Solution
The printhead is rotated parallel to the XY plane to adjust nozzle distances, allowing for a higher resolution in the direction perpendicular to the print direction, thereby reducing the number of passes needed and increasing productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of passes is increased to achieve sufficient resolution orthogonally to the print direction, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The printhead is made rotatable in the XY plane, allowing dynamic adjustment of nozzle orientation. By rotating the printhead, the system can achieve higher resolution orthogonally to the print direction without increasing the number of passes, thus maintaining productivity while improving manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the orientation parameter of the printhead nozzles by rotating them in the XY plane. This parameter change allows the projection of nozzle distances to match the required resolution specifications, achieving better precision without additional passes and avoiding productivity loss.
2Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle density is increased to achieve higher resolution, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing nozzle density, the system uses a rotatable printhead that can change its orientation. This dynamic adjustment allows the existing nozzle array to achieve higher effective resolution by optimizing the projection of nozzle distances, avoiding the complexity and cost of denser nozzle arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the orientation parameter of the printhead rather than changing the physical density of nozzles. By rotating the printhead to specific angles, the system achieves the required resolution through geometric projection, avoiding the need for more complex and expensive high-density nozzle arrays.
3Manufacturing precision
If the number of passes is increased to achieve sufficient resolution, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable printhead allows the system to achieve higher resolution in fewer passes by optimizing the angular orientation of nozzles. This reduces the total printing time while maintaining manufacturing precision, as the system doesn't need to repeat passes to achieve the required resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the orientation parameter of the printhead, the system achieves better resolution with the same number of passes, thereby reducing printing time. The geometric projection of nozzle distances at optimized angles provides the required resolution without additional time-consuming passes.
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 approach enhances the resolution orthogonally to the print direction without increasing the number of passes, improving the efficiency and speed of the printing process, particularly for smaller objects, and strengthens UV-curable ink attachments by reducing the surface area.
Implementation Method 1
ejecting filling material from nozzles of the at least one rotated printhead towards the surface
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for printing a plurality of layers of an object on a surface in an XY plane in a print direction in the XY plane in at least one pass of at least one printhead (16, 22) of a printing system (1) relatively over the surface per layer, while ejecting filling material from nozzles of the at least one printhead towards the surface. nozzle distances between the nozzles of the at least one printhead determine a first resolution in a direction perpendicular to the print direction. The at least one printhead is rotatable parallel to the XY plane. Specifications of the object are received which define the object to be printed with a second resolution in the direction perpendicular to the print direction, which second resolution is higher than the first resolution. At least one of the at least one printhead is rotated parallel to the XY plane such that projections of the nozzle distances on a direction perpendicular to the print direction correspond to the second resolution. The plurality of layers of the object are printed with the second resolution by ejecting filling material from the nozzles of the at least one rotated printhead towards the surface.