Sintering System Movable Floor Pneumatic Powder Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Sintering systems face issues with leftover, potentially harmful powder in the build chamber after manufacturing, and existing systems are not adapted for personal use, lacking safety features for non-industrial users.
Innovation Solution
A sintering system with a movable floor and pneumatic assembly for efficient powder removal, combined fan and suction units for alternating airflow, and an enclosure for enhanced safety, along with a powder recycling mechanism and remote control capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sintering is performed using high temperature and energy beams to shape powder into objects, then manufacturing capability is achieved, but harmful powder remains in the build chamber causing safety and contamination issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful powder residue from the build chamber by lowering the floor below the chamber and using a suction device to remove powder through openings in the walls. This separation of the harmful substance from the manufacturing environment resolves the contradiction between maintaining manufacturing capability and eliminating harmful residues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cleaning system consisting of a suction device, filter, and exhaust system that mediates between the sintering process and the environment. This intermediary system captures and filters harmful powder particles, allowing manufacturing to continue while protecting against harmful effects.
2Adaptability or versatility
If industrial sintering systems are used for personal use, then advanced manufacturing technology becomes accessible, but safety and complexity issues arise for non-expert users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service safety features including automatic powder removal, filtration, and exhaust systems that operate without user intervention. The system automatically manages harmful powder residues, making advanced sintering technology safe for personal use by non-experts who cannot manually handle the hazardous materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic systems (suction devices, fans, and air flow control) to automatically manage powder removal and ventilation. This pneumatic infrastructure provides automated safety functions that protect personal users from harmful exposures without requiring expert knowledge of powder handling procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If the build chamber is sealed to contain powder during sintering, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but powder removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the build chamber into two functional zones: an upper sealed sintering zone for maintaining manufacturing precision, and a lower exposed removal zone with openings for powder egress. The floor acts as a movable boundary between these zones, allowing the chamber to be sealed during sintering while enabling powder removal afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a movable floor that can be lowered below the chamber to transition the build chamber from a sealed state during sintering to an open state for powder removal. This dynamic reconfiguration resolves the contradiction by allowing the chamber to be sealed when precision is needed and open when removal is required.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a sintering system for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from sinterable powder. The system comprises a build chamber with a movable floor and four walls, an energy assembly disposed above the build chamber and which comprises at least one energy source adapted to emit an energy beam. The system further comprises a feeding assembly connected to the build chamber for providing sinterable powder to the build chamber and a powder distribution device connected to the feeding assembly for distributing sinterable powder in the build chamber. The build chamber further comprises at least one opening in at least one wall, below which the movable floor can be lowered, and a pneumatic assembly connected to the build chamber for transporting powder away from the build chamber through the at least one opening.