Additive Manufacturing Shielding Band for Impurity Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing apparatuses for three-dimensional objects face issues with functional components being soiled by dusty construction material and impurities like smoke and smoulder particles, which can adversely affect their operation, and existing shielding measures require continuous development for reliability.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a shielding device with a movably guided shielding band and outer and inner shielding elements to protect functional components from construction material and impurities, using a combination of elastic and brush-like stripping sections to maintain cleanliness and prevent intrusion, along with an optional inert gas injection for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shielding measures are implemented to protect functional components from construction material and impurities, then the cleanliness and operational reliability of the apparatus is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding device is divided into multiple functional elements: a movably guided shielding band, outer shielding elements, inner shielding elements, elastic stripping sections, and brush-like stripping sections. Each segment performs a specific shielding or cleaning function, allowing the system to protect functional components effectively while maintaining modularity and manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding band is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt to different positions and maintain effective shielding. The elastic and brush-like stripping sections provide dynamic cleaning action that adjusts to the presence of contaminants, ensuring continuous protection without requiring complex manual intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If continuous shielding development is pursued to maintain protection against construction material intrusion, then the shielding effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic stripping sections and brush-like stripping sections are designed to automatically remove construction material and impurities from the shielding band and functional components as they move. This self-cleaning mechanism reduces the need for complex manual maintenance and continuous intervention, simplifying both manufacturing and operational aspects while maintaining high shielding effectiveness.
3Reliability
If multiple shielding elements and stripping sections are added to prevent soiling of functional components, then the protection level is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The outer shielding elements, inner shielding elements, elastic stripping sections, and brush-like stripping sections are integrated into a single cohesive shielding device structure. This merging of multiple protective and cleaning functions into one unified system provides comprehensive protection against construction material intrusion while avoiding the need for separate, independently managed shielding systems, thereby managing structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An additive manufacturing apparatus may include a process chamber, a coating device, a shielding device, and a guiding device. The process chamber may include first and second working plane areas. The first working plane area may include a construction plane, and the second working plane area may house at least a part of the guiding device. The coating device may include a coating element assembly group that is, movably supported relative to the construction plane by the guiding device, and at least one coating element configured to form construction material layers in the construction plane. The shielding device may shield the second working plane area from intrusion of construction material or impurities from the first working plane area. The shielding device may include a shielding band, and the shielding band may be coupled for movement with the coating element assembly group. The shielding band may be guided movably along a plurality of supporting points that define an interior region of the second working plane area, and the guiding device may be arranged or formed above the first working plane area.