Centrifugal Rotor Catch Pans for Resin Reclamation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing excess resin from additively manufactured products using stereolithography are inefficient, particularly when the amount of resin is small relative to the internal surface area of the centrifugal separator.
Innovation Solution
A rotor with a base and engagement members to secure objects, featuring catch pans that collect unpolymerized resin during centrifugal separation, with platform supports and latch assemblies to secure objects and catch pans, optimizing resin collection and reducing aerodynamic drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional centrifugal separation techniques are used to remove excess resin from additively manufactured objects, then resin removal is achieved, but the process is inefficient when the amount of resin is small relative to the internal surface area of the centrifugal separator
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifugal separator is divided into multiple compartments, each with its own catch pan and engagement members. This segmentation allows the total internal surface area to be distributed across multiple smaller separation zones, increasing the effective surface area available for resin removal relative to the total resin volume. Each compartment processes resin from objects independently, improving overall extraction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The catch pans are positioned within the centrifugal separator housing, with engagement members nested on the rotor base. The objects are secured to engagement members that are themselves part of the rotor assembly. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of internal space, allowing the catch pans to be positioned optimally for resin collection while maintaining a compact overall structure with increased effective surface area.
2Quantity of substance
If a centrifugal separator with large internal surface area is used to ensure adequate resin contact, then resin removal capability is maintained, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using one large complex separator, the system uses multiple smaller compartments with standardized catch pans and engagement members. Each compartment is a simple, repeatable unit that can be independently configured. This modular segmentation reduces the complexity of any single component while achieving the required total surface area through replication.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement members serve multiple functions: they secure objects to the rotor base, position objects optimally for resin removal, and support the catch pans. The catch pans both collect resin during centrifugal separation and define the separation chamber geometry. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining adequate surface area.
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
Effectively separates and collects residual resin from additively manufactured objects, facilitating efficient reuse of the resin for further production, improving the efficiency of the resin extraction process.
Implementation Method 1
each catch pan configured to receive unpolymerized resin therein upon centrifugal separation of the resin from the additively manufactured, light polymerized, objects
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor for separating residual resin from additively manufactured objects in a centrifugal separator, the rotor including a rotor base and a plurality of engagement members configured to secure additively manufactured, light polymerized, objects to the rotor base, each object carrying unpolymerized resin on a surface thereof. The improvement includes a plurality of catch pans removably connected to the base, each catch pan configured to receive unpolymerized resin therein upon centrifugal separation of the resin from the additively manufactured, light polymerized, objects.