3D Printing System with Rotating Positioning Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D printing systems are limited to moving in 2D planes or curves due to the inability to adjust the angle of the print head with respect to the positioning platform, restricting their capability to print complex 3D curved surfaces or curves.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printing system incorporating a spherical movement device that allows the positioning platform to move in three perpendicular directions and rotate about these directions, enabling the print head to move over 3D curved surfaces or curves by integrating a first movement device with quarter arc linkages and rotation drivers, and optionally a second movement device such as a multi-freedom robot.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the print head moves only in X, Y, Z directions perpendicular to each other, then the space position of the print head can be adjusted with respect to the positioning platform, but the angle of the print head with respect to the positioning platform cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rotational degrees of freedom to the positioning platform, transforming it from a system that only moves in three perpendicular directions (X, Y, Z) to one that can also rotate about these directions. This adds angular adjustment capability without fundamentally redesigning the entire movement mechanism, as the rotation is integrated into the existing spherical movement device.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning platform is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing real-time changes in both position and orientation. The spherical movement device enables the platform to rotate about multiple axes while maintaining its positioning capabilities, creating a dynamic system that can adapt its angle during the 3D printing process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the print head moves only over a 2-Dimension plane or a 2-Dimension curve, then the printing process is simple, but complex 3-Dimension curved surfaces or 3-Dimension curves cannot be printed
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from 2D printing capabilities to 3D curved surface printing by adding rotational degrees of freedom to the positioning platform. This allows the platform to orient itself at various angles, enabling the print head to deposit material along complex 3D curved paths and surfaces that were previously inaccessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical movement device serves multiple functions: it positions the platform in 3D space (X, Y, Z directions) and simultaneously enables rotational adjustment about these directions. This multi-functional mechanism allows the system to handle both simple planar printing and complex 3D curved surface printing with a single integrated device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a spherical movement device with multiple linkages and rotation drivers is used, then the print head can move over 3-Dimension curved surfaces or curves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical movement device is divided into distinct functional components: a first rotation driver for rotating the positioning platform about the first direction, a second rotation driver for rotating about the second direction, and quarter arc linkages that connect these drivers to the platform. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve the overall 3D curved surface printing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the positioning and orientation functions into a single integrated spherical movement device. The first and second rotation drivers, along with their respective quarter arc linkages, are merged into one cohesive mechanism that simultaneously controls the position and angle of the positioning platform, reducing the need for separate systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A 3D printing system including: a print head (200) for printing a product; and a positioning platform (300) for supporting and positioning the product to be printed thereon. The 3D printing system is constructed so that the positioning platform (300) is moved with respect to the print head (200) in a first direction (X), a second direction (Y) and a third direction (Z) perpendicular to each other, and rotated with respect to the print head (200) about at least two of the first, second and third directions (X, Y, Z). In the 3D printing system, both of the space position of the print head (200) with respect to the positioning platform (300) and the angle of the pint head (200) with respect to the positioning platform (300) may be adjusted. Thereby, the print head (200) may be moved over a 3-Dimension curved surface or a 3-Dimension curve with respect to the positioning platform (300), so as to print a complicated 3-Dimension curved surface or 3-Dimension curve.