3D Shaping Device Synchronized Rotation Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional three-dimensional shaping devices face challenges in achieving high shaping speed and production efficiency due to complex device configurations and weight issues related to rotating components, which hinder the formation of stable powder layers and necessitate frequent stops for material replenishment during large-scale shaping.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional shaping device with a rotation mechanism that synchronizes the angular speed of the outer peripheral wall and shaping stand, allowing continuous operation without rotating the supply and coating units, thus simplifying the structure and enhancing shaping speed and production efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the supply unit and coating device are rotated to enable continuous operation, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to piping and wiring requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaping speedVSAvoiddevice configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the supply unit and coating device as in conventional systems, this invention rotates the shaping vessel in reverse - making the vessel rotate while keeping the supply and coating units stationary. This inversion eliminates the need for complex rotating piping and wiring, simplifying the device configuration while maintaining continuous operation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation function is extracted from the supply unit and coating device and transferred to the shaping vessel. By making the vessel the rotating component rather than the coating apparatus, the system eliminates complex rotating connections while achieving continuous shaping operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the supply unit and coating device are rotated to enable continuous operation, then productivity is improved, but the weight of the rotating portion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaping speedVSAvoidrotational speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts which component rotates - instead of rotating heavy supply and coating units with their associated piping and wiring, the shaping vessel rotates. This significantly reduces the weight of the rotating portion, enabling higher rotational speeds and improved productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If the supply unit and coating device are rotated, then continuous operation is enabled, but stable powder layer formation becomes difficult under centrifugal force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidpowder layer stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By rotating the shaping vessel instead of the supply unit, the system achieves continuous operation while minimizing centrifugal force effects on powder layer formation. The vessel rotation allows controlled powder delivery to the shaping surface without the destabilizing centrifugal forces that would occur with supply unit rotation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Productivity

If configuring members are downsized to improve rotational speed, then productivity is improved, but frequent stops are needed for material replenishment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational speedVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables continuous shaping operation by rotating the shaping vessel while keeping supply and coating units stationary. This continuous rotation allows uninterrupted material supply and binder coating, eliminating frequent stops for material replenishment and maintaining high productivity without requiring downsized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

The synchronized rotation mechanism enables the formation of stable powder layers, simplifies the device configuration, and improves shaping speed and production efficiency, allowing for continuous operation without the need for frequent stops, even during the shaping of large-sized articles.

Implementation Method 1

since it is difficult for a stable powder layer to be formed under conditions of a centrifugal force acting, the supply unit and the coating device are rotated at a constant speed with respect to the shaping vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS11904541B2Three-dimensional shaping device and method of shaping

Publication Date: 2024.02.20 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A three-dimensional shaping device comprises: a shaping vessel that has an outer peripheral wall and a shaping stand, the shaping stand configuring a bottom portion of the shaping vessel; a rotation mechanism that rotates the shaping stand; and a raising/lowering device that raises/lowers the shaping stand, wherein shaping is performed while the outer peripheral wall and the shaping stand are being rotated at the same angular speed by the rotation mechanism.