Single Optical Engine Large-Screen 3D Printer Exposure System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional large-scale screen exposure systems for 3D printers require multiple optical engines, leading to complexity and high costs, while also being bulky and heavy.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printer design utilizing a single optical engine with a reflection mirror and driver to project split image beams onto multiple screens with time differences, creating a large-scale screen exposure system that is small, lightweight, and efficient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple optical engines are assembled to construct a large-scale screen exposure system, then the exposure area is increased, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The large-scale screen is segmented into multiple divided screens that are sequentially exposed by a single optical engine. The controller divides the layered unit image into multiple divided images and projects them onto different divided screens at different time points, achieving large-area exposure without requiring multiple optical engines simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The single optical engine performs periodic sequential exposure on multiple divided screens by projecting divided images at different time points. The reflection mirror is periodically adjusted to direct light to different divided screens, enabling time-multiplexed large-area exposure that reduces system complexity while maintaining large exposure area.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple optical engines are assembled to construct a large-scale screen exposure system, then the exposure area is increased, but the investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single optical engine is designed to perform multiple functions by sequentially exposing multiple divided screens. The optical engine projects different divided images at different time points onto different divided screens, making one optical engine serve the function of multiple optical engines and significantly reducing investment cost while achieving large exposure area.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical engine performs periodic sequential exposure on multiple divided screens, with the reflection mirror being periodically adjusted to direct light to different screens. This time-multiplexed approach allows one optical engine to replace multiple optical engines, reducing the number of precision optoelectronic parts required and lowering investment costs.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple optical engines are assembled to construct a large-scale screen exposure system, then the exposure area is increased, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The large-scale screen is divided into multiple smaller divided screens that are sequentially exposed by a single optical engine. This segmentation allows the system to achieve large exposure area coverage without requiring multiple heavy optical engines, as one optical engine exposes multiple divided screens at different time points through periodic reflection mirror adjustment.
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
This approach enables the construction of high-quality large-scale objects with reduced complexity and cost, as well as improved portability and efficiency by using a single optical engine to combine split screens into a large-scale screen with time differences.
Implementation Method 1
a resin tank configured to be filled with liquid resin; a build platform configured to be immersed in the resin tank or positioned on a surface of the resin tank to form a building plane, and make the liquid resin be cured and stacked on the building plane
Implementation Method 2
an exposure system configured to project an image beam toward the building plane; the exposure system receives the plurality of split images from the controller and projects a plurality of split image beams with time differences
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a 3D printer with an exposure system for a large-scale screen. The 3D printer of the present invention comprises a resin tank configured to be filled with liquid resin; a build platform configured to be immersed in the resin tank or positioned on a surface of the resin tank to form a building plane, and make the liquid resin be cured and stacked on the building plane; a build-platform driver configured to drive the build platform to move up and down; an exposure system configured to project an image beam toward the building plane; and a controller configured to generate a layered unit image from shape information about a building object, split the layered unit image into a plurality of split images, and provides the plurality of split images to the exposure system with time differences, wherein the exposure system receives the plurality of split images from the controller and projects a plurality of split image beams with time differences, and the plurality of split image beams is made into the image beam by a plurality of split screens with time differences and projected to the building plane. The present invention provides a 3D printer which employs one optical engine to form a large-scale screen, thereby having a simpler structure and costing less than a system using a plurality of optical engines.