Rotatable 3D Printing Head for Cementitious Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gantry-type 3D printers with three degrees of freedom face limitations in printing complex structures due to the lack of rotational freedom of the extrusion nozzle, leading to manufacturing defects and inadequate material discharge mechanisms, which hinder the production of high-quality objects with cementitious materials.
Innovation Solution
A device with a rotatable printing head and a mechanism for selectively blocking the cementitious material flow, featuring a rolling bearing ring and a motor-driven system for rotation, along with a detachable extrusion nozzle and a tank for managing material flow, enhances the printing capabilities by allowing rotation around the Z-axis and effective material discharge control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a gantry robot with three degrees of freedom is used, then the device structure is simple and cost-effective, but the printing quality deteriorates due to inability to rotate the extrusion nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The extrusion nozzle is made rotatable around its axial direction (Z-axis) while maintaining the gantry robot's three-degree-of-freedom structure. This dynamic addition of rotational capability allows the nozzle to adjust its discharge angle during printing, improving material discharge quality and reducing defects without fundamentally changing the gantry structure
Solution Approach 2:
A fourth degree of freedom (rotation around Z-axis) is added to the traditional three-axis gantry system. This additional rotational dimension enables the extrusion nozzle to discharge material at different angles, allowing proper printing of complex structures that require multi-directional material deposition
2Ease of operation
If the extrusion nozzle direction is fixed, then the device operation is simple, but manufacturing defects occur due to inability to adapt to different printing trajectories
Solution Approach 1:
The extrusion nozzle is equipped with a rotation mechanism that allows it to dynamically adjust its discharge direction around the Z-axis. This enables the nozzle to adapt to different printing trajectories and corner-forming movements, preventing material cord tearing and discharge defects while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control
3Device complexity
If a valve mechanism is used to stop material flow, then the stopping mechanism is compact, but it gets obstructed by cementitious material particles and requires cumbersome maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is completely removed from the system and replaced with a rotation-based flow control method. The extrusion nozzle stops material discharge by rotating to a position where gravity prevents material flow, eliminating the valve component that would otherwise be obstructed by cementitious particles and require maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses gravity and rotational positioning to control material flow automatically. The extrusion nozzle directs material discharge or stops flow by changing its orientation, utilizing the natural properties of gravity-fed material flow without requiring additional active control components
4Reliability
If a plate-like element rotates 90° to cut the bead, then the material flow stops effectively, but the material bead is torn during the stopping process
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a plate-like element to actively cut and stop the material bead (which causes tearing), the system inverts the approach by using gravitational force to passively stop material flow. The extrusion nozzle rotates to a position where gravity prevents material discharge, eliminating the tearing effect while maintaining effective flow control
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 the printing of complex structures with improved quality by providing rotational freedom and effective material flow management, addressing the limitations of existing gantry-type 3D printers and enhancing the mechanical properties of printed objects.
Implementation Method 1
a first tubular body (2) coupled to a first end (1b) of an extrusion tubular member (1), the first tubular body (2) comprising a rolling bearing ring
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for 3D printer for printing with cementitious material, comprising: a first tubular body (2) having a first end (2a) adapted for coupling to a first end (1 b) of an extrusion tubular member (1), the first tubular body (2) comprising a rolling bearing ring; a printing head (3) comprising: a second tubular body (13) coupled to a second end of the first tubular body (2); and an extrusion nozzle (15) for discharging the cementitious material, the extrusion nozzle (15) being coupled to the second tubular body (13); and means for rotating the printing head (3), said means being coupled to the first tubular body (2) so as to rotate the second tubular body (13) around a cylindrical axis (R) thereof, the means comprising a motor (4). Also, both a printer and a method for printing with cementitious material.