Rotating Print Bed for Additive Manufacturing with Molten Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in additive manufacturing with molten glass is the susceptibility of extruded filaments to large, changing tensile and shear forces due to the print bed's movement in varying directions relative to the nozzle, leading to defects and separation of glass layers, exacerbated by nozzle asymmetry from glass buildup.
Innovation Solution
A glass 3D printer design that rotates the print bed to maintain a constant deposition direction relative to the nozzle, even during translation in x, y, and z directions, minimizing the impact of changing forces on the filament and preventing nozzle asymmetry-induced defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the print bed moves in varying directions relative to the nozzle during deposition, then the ability to print complex free-form geometries is improved, but large changing tensile and shear forces are exerted on the molten glass filament causing defects and layer separation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the nozzle to deposit glass along complex paths (which would subject the filament to changing forces), the patent inverts the approach by keeping the nozzle stationary and moving the print bed in varying directions. This inversion maintains a constant deposition direction relative to the nozzle, preventing tensile and shear forces on the filament while still enabling free-form geometry printing through coordinated bed motion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic motion of the print bed, combining translations in x, y, and z directions with rotation about a vertical axis. This dynamic positioning allows the print bed to move in complex trajectories to create free-form geometries while maintaining the deposition direction constant relative to the stationary nozzle, thus avoiding filament damage
2Ease of manufacture
If the nozzle deposits molten glass filament onto a moving print bed, then the fabrication of glass objects is enabled, but the filament remains viscous for an extended period due to high operating temperature and large thermal mass, making it susceptible to damage from changing forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional FDM approach where the nozzle moves and the bed is stationary. By keeping the nozzle stationary and moving the print bed instead, the deposition direction remains constant relative to the nozzle, preventing the molten glass filament from experiencing changing tensile and shear forces that would damage it during its extended viscous state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by maintaining a constant deposition direction angle relative to the stationary nozzle while varying the print bed's position and orientation. This parameter control ensures that the molten glass filament experiences minimal stress during deposition, despite the extended time it remains viscous at high operating temperatures
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 ensures constant and controlled forces on the filament, reducing defects and maintaining consistent layer deposition, thereby improving the quality and integrity of glass objects produced.
Implementation Method 1
the extruded filament is allowed to cool and solidify
Implementation Method 2
the extruded filament is allowed to cool and solidify
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle deposits a filament of viscous, molten glass onto a print bed, while the print bed rotates about a vertical axis and translates in x, y, and z directions. The deposition is computer controlled, such that the resulting deposited filament forms a desired glass object that is solid after it anneals. One or more motors rotate the print bed such that the direction of deposition of the molten glass is constant relative to the nozzle, even though the print bed is translating in different directions relative to the nozzle. Keeping the direction of deposition constant relative to the nozzle tends to prevent the extruded filament of molten glass from experiencing large, changing, tensile and shear forces that would otherwise occur and that would otherwise damage the filament.