Spinning Device for 3D Printed Workpiece Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for cleaning 3D printed workpieces, particularly those made by stereolithography, are inefficient in removing excess light-hardenable material without damaging the workpiece or using solvents, and lack flexibility for different additive manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

A device that spins the workpiece about a controlled axis, allowing for adjustable angular orientations and rebalancing during spinning to remove excess material without solvents, using a rotor with a pivotally connected receptacle and a movably arranged balancing weight, which can be locked at various distances to compensate for changes in weight and viscosity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mechanical cleaning methods are used to remove excess light hardenable material, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but damage to the workpiece increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidworkpiece damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical cleaning methods (brushes,刮bers, abrasive materials) with a centrifugal spinning system that uses rotational force and gravity to remove excess material. The workpiece is mounted on a spinning device that rotates at controlled speeds, causing excess material to be flung off centrifugally without direct mechanical contact, thus achieving effective cleaning while minimizing workpiece damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If chemical solutions are used for cleaning, then removal of excess material is improved, but contamination of the workpiece occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial removal efficiencyVSAvoidworkpiece contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates chemical cleaning solutions entirely by using a purely mechanical/physical centrifugal spinning process. The rotational motion and gravitational forces naturally separate and remove excess light hardenable material without requiring any chemical agents, thus preventing contamination while maintaining effective material removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a fixed cleaning method is used, then process simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different additive manufacturing processes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidcompatibility with different additive manufacturing processes

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic cleaning system where the spinning speed, rotation direction, and duration can be adjusted based on the specific additive manufacturing process and material properties. The device allows for variable operational parameters including different rotational velocities, multi-directional spinning, and adaptable mounting configurations, enabling effective cleaning across various stereolithography and digital light processing methods while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 effective removal of excess material based on the workpiece's shape and design, minimizing damage and solvent use, and is adaptable to various additive manufacturing processes by controlling angular orientations and rebalancing during spinning.

Implementation Method 1

Device for spinning a workpiece... a rotor for spinning about a spinning axis... for cleaning the workpiece from at least some superfluous light hardenable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

The receptacle is pivotally connected to the rotor for swiveling about a swivel axis that is transverse (or perpendicular) to the spinning axis such that swiveling of the receptacle is enabled between a first angular orientation relative to the spinning axis and a different second angular orientation relative to the spinning axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivoting motion:

Implementation Method 3

The device further comprises a balancing weight that is movably arranged relative to the receptacle. The balancing weight is lockable at different distances relative to the receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBalancing: Balance

Data Source

PatentUS11998957B2Device for spinning a workpiece

Publication Date: 2024.06.04 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A device (1) for spinning a 3D printed workpiece (100). The device has a rotor (2) for spinning about a spinning axis (A) and a receptacle (8) for holding the workpiece (100). The receptacle (8) is pivotally attached to the rotor (2) for swiveling about a swivel axis (B) that is transverse to the spinning axis (A). The pivotal attachment enables swiveling of the receptacle (8) between a first angular orientation relative to the spinning axis (A) and a different second angular orientation relative to the spinning axis (A). The device (1) further has a balancing weight (9) that is movably arranged relative to the receptacle (8). The balancing weight (9) is lockable at different distances relative to the receptacle (8).