Additive Manufacturing Machine with Segmented Resin Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing technologies face limitations in using high viscosity resins and materials with reinforcement, are costly due to large resin tanks, and lack flexibility in material supply, especially for medium and large-sized parts.
Innovation Solution
A machine and method for additive manufacturing that uses high viscosity resins and materials with reinforcement, enabling production of medium and large-sized parts by layering, with a movable support and light source for curing, and a system for recycling and reusing materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a large vat of printing material is used for localised top-down systems, then medium and large-sized parts can be produced, but the cost of use and maintenance considerably increases
Solution Approach 1:
The printing material supply is segmented into multiple smaller reservoirs instead of using one large vat. Each reservoir can be independently managed and replaced, allowing large printing volumes to be achieved through sequential material supply while avoiding the costs associated with maintaining a single large reservoir.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between multiple material reservoirs as printing progresses. The movable support and layer-by-layer construction enable the system to adapt material supply to the actual printing needs, using material only when required rather than maintaining a large continuous supply.
2Productivity
If reservoirs or vats of material are used in additive manufacturing systems, then printing can proceed layer by layer, but flexibility in the supply of one or more materials of different types and even high viscosity materials or materials loaded with reinforcement materials is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The material supply system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various material types including low viscosity resins, high viscosity resins, and materials with reinforcements. The system can adapt to different material properties and switching between material types during printing, making the reservoir system universally applicable to diverse material requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes material parameters by selecting from multiple reservoirs containing different materials. It can adjust viscosity, material composition, and reinforcement content by switching between reservoirs, thereby adapting to the specific requirements of different printing stages and part geometries.
3Ease of manufacture
If bottom-up manufacturing systems are used, then the process can proceed layer by layer, but the use of printing materials is limited to low-viscosity resins
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to different material viscosities by adjusting the material supply mechanism and reservoir configuration. Unlike static bottom-up systems, this invention can handle varying material properties including high viscosity materials by implementing appropriate supply mechanisms and reservoir designs.
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 efficient production of high viscosity resin parts with reinforcement, reducing material waste and costs, and allowing for multi-material and large-sized parts with precise control and reduced maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a light source, preferably ultraviolet or visible light, fixed to the structure, and preferably located above the working surface, which will be in charge of curing the printing material
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a machine that enables the additive manufacturing of parts making use of high viscosity resins and which comprises a structure (1); a conveying module (2), with a movable support (3) and a displacement mechanism (5), to house and move the printing surface in a vertical direction; a light source (6), at least one reservoir (11) of material; a material supply module (8), connected to the reservoir (11) of material and intended for applying a layer of printing material on a conveyor substrate (9), which conveys the layer of printing material from the material supply module (8) to the printing surface (4), wherein it is cured; and a fastening system (10), to fasten and move the conveyor substrate.