Rotating 3D Print Head for Liquid Material Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing technologies face limitations in producing workpieces with continuous color transitions and efficient mixing of multiple materials, as existing methods struggle to achieve uniform mixing ratios and prevent demixing due to material properties.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize a 3D print head with rotating access channels and an outlet to swirl and mix materials in a liquid state, ensuring a defined mixing ratio at every point on the workpiece, controlled by regulating volumetric flow rates and using heating elements to maintain a fluid state until solidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple materials are fed to a 3D printing process through separate channels, then different materials or colors can be deposited, but continuous color transitions and uniform mixing ratios cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the material flow into separate channels (first access channel for first material, second access channel for second material) that converge at the outlet. This segmentation allows independent control of each material flow while maintaining the ability to mix them precisely at the point of deposition, enabling both material variety and precise mixing ratio control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces rotational movement as an additional dimension to the material mixing process. By rotating the main body or workpiece about an axis extending through the outlet, the system creates continuous color transitions through the rotational blending of materials, transforming static material deposition into a dynamic mixing process that achieves continuous color gradients.
2Ease of manufacture
If materials are mixed in the nozzle by adding coloring agents, then polymer strands can be colored, but efficient production of workpieces with continuous color transitions is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static coloring (adding agents to polymer strands) to dynamic mixing by rotating the main body or workpiece during material deposition. This rotational movement continuously blends materials in their liquid state, creating continuous color transitions and significantly improving productivity for multicolored workpieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of materials from solid polymer strands to liquid state for mixing purposes. By maintaining materials in liquid state during rotation and mixing, then allowing solidification upon deposition, the system achieves efficient continuous color transitions that were not possible with solid strand coloring methods.
3Manufacturing precision
If the main body is rotated about the axis of rotation to swirl materials together, then materials can be blended in liquid state with defined mixing ratios, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it mixes materials to achieve uniform mixing ratios, creates continuous color transitions through swirling, and enables precise control of material blending. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by eliminating the need for separate mixing and deposition systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation mechanism acts as an intermediary between the separate material channels and the final deposited workpiece. It mediates the mixing process by swirling materials in their liquid state, ensuring defined mixing ratios are achieved before deposition, thereby simplifying the overall control of multicolored printing.
4Manufacturing precision
If volumetric flow rate is controlled via advancing elements, then mixing ratio can be regulated, but device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates control devices that monitor and regulate the volumetric flow rates of materials through the access channels. This feedback control ensures precise mixing ratios are maintained during rotation, allowing the complex rotation and flow control mechanisms to work together harmoniously for accurate multicolored deposition.
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 production of workpieces with precise color transitions and patterns by effectively blending materials, preventing demixing and allowing for a wide range of color schemes and material combinations, including metals and plastics, with improved mixing efficiency and control over the final composition.
Implementation Method 1
the main body is rotated about the axis of rotation... the materials are swirled together, blended and/or mixed in their liquid state
Implementation Method 2
A rotating outlet leads to a thorough mixing and/or blending of the materials through friction between the inside face of the outlet and the materials
Implementation Method 3
controlled by regulating volumetric flow rates and using heating elements to maintain a fluid state until solidification
Implementation Method 4
using heating elements to maintain a fluid state until solidification
Data Source
AI summary
A control device, method and device for applying at least one material to a substrate or a workpiece, an extruder, a 3D print head, a 3D printer and a machine tool, wherein the device includes a main body with an outlet for the materials, where the materials are fed through at least two access channels to the outlet and mixed and/or blended at this location, where a rotational movement of the main body with respect to the substrate or the workpiece causes the materials to blend in a manner analogous to a double helix or a plait such that mixing/blending of the materials is advantageously improved, and where if applied to a 3D printing process, then either the workpiece rotates about an axis of rotation that extends through the outlet of the main body, or the main body and consequently the outlet itself rotates.