Rotating Additive Manufacturing Apparatus for Continuous Layer Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing methods are inefficient due to the need for components to move in parallel, leading to prolonged processing times and reduced manufacturing speed.
Innovation Solution
An additive manufacturing apparatus featuring a rotating body with integrated supply, flattening, and irradiation units, where centrifugal force maintains slurry on the surface, allowing continuous layer formation without the need for components to move in parallel, and enabling simultaneous movement of the supply and flattening units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If components (layer forming unit, binding liquid application means, ultraviolet light irradiating means) move above the stage in order to complete movement and processing before stage descent, then processing precision is maintained, but manufacturing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the stage rotate instead of moving the processing components horizontally. The layer forming unit, binding liquid application means, and ultraviolet light irradiating means remain stationary while the stage with the green sheet rotates beneath them, enabling parallel processing without compromising precision
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating stage enables continuous layer formation without interruption. While one portion of the stage is being processed by the stationary units, other portions can be prepared simultaneously, and the stage can descend continuously without waiting for sequential component movements to complete
2Manufacturing precision
If the stage descends only after all components complete their movement and processing, then layer lamination accuracy is ensured, but manufacturing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving components horizontally to achieve precise positioning, the patent inverts the approach by rotating the stage beneath stationary components. This allows the stage to descend continuously while maintaining precise layer lamination accuracy through rotational positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The green sheet is pre-formed on the rotating stage before reaching the processing position. Binding liquid is applied in advance to the green sheet, and the sheet is prepared for lamination while rotating, so that when it reaches the layer forming position, all preparatory actions are already completed
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 significantly reduces processing time by allowing continuous layer formation and simultaneous operation of the supply, flattening, and irradiation units, thereby enhancing manufacturing speed and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
When the rotating body rotates in this way, slurry is pressed by a centrifugal force against the inner circumferential surface of the rotating body, which prevents the slurry from being separated from the inner circumferential surface during rotation of the rotating body.
Implementation Method 2
an irradiation unit provided inside the rotating body, located downstream of the flattening unit in the rotating direction of the rotating body and spot-radiating ultraviolet light at an irradiation position determined based on a shape of the molded object during rotation of the rotating body by the rotation drive unit
Data Source
AI summary
An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a rotating body including therein a space defined by an inner circumferential surface, a rotation drive unit causing the rotating body to rotate, a supply unit supplying slurry containing ultraviolet light curable resin to the inner circumferential surface, a first drive unit causing the supply unit to move in a radial direction of the rotating body, a flattening unit located downstream of the supply unit and flattening the slurry supplied to the inner circumferential surface of the rotating body at an end portion thereof during rotation of the rotating body to a thickness of one layer, a second drive unit causing the flattening unit to move along the radial direction of the rotating body, and an irradiation unit provided downstream of the flattening unit and spot-radiating ultraviolet light at an irradiation position determined based on a shape of the molded object.