Stereolithography Temperature Control for Hybrid Resin Homogeneity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stereolithography machines are not adapted to use hybrid resins, leading to inhomogeneous resin matrices and poor solidification due to component separation, resulting in reduced quality and increased production rejects.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a temperature control unit to maintain the resin container and support plate at a predetermined temperature, ensuring the resin remains homogeneous and optimally solidified, using heating elements and a temperature sensor to regulate the temperature within a suitable range for different resin types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hybrid resins are used in known stereolithography machines, then the machine can process complex materials, but the resin components separate and form agglomerates causing inhomogeneous solidification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to process hybrid resinsVSAvoidsolidification quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing temperature control as a new parameter. The support plate is heated to a predetermined temperature (e.g., 20-40°C) to maintain the resin in a homogeneous state during the solidification process, preventing component separation and agglomerate formation in hybrid resins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the resin is not maintained at a predetermined temperature, then the machine structure remains simple, but the resin separates and becomes inhomogeneous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control systemVSAvoidresin homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal parameter of the resin by introducing a temperature control system with heating elements and temperature sensors. The support plate is maintained at a predetermined temperature to ensure resin homogeneity and prevent component separation during solidification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If known stereolithography machines are used without temperature control, then the device is simpler, but production rejects increase due to poor solidification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control systemVSAvoidproduction quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces temperature control as a critical parameter to improve production reliability. By maintaining the support plate at a predetermined temperature, the resin solidifies uniformly without component separation, significantly reducing production rejects and improving quality consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 temperature control system prevents component separation in hybrid resins, ensuring consistent and optimal solidification, thereby improving the quality of three-dimensional objects produced and reducing production rejects.

Implementation Method 1

The container contains a plastic resin that polymerizes and, therefore, solidifies, if exposed to the radiation emitted by said emitter that is preferably a laser emitter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

maintaining the plate at a predetermined temperature means maintaining also the container and therefore the resin contained therein at said predetermined temperature by heat conduction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2461963B1Improved stereolithography machine
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 DWS SRL
  • EP2461963B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2461963B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2461963B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention is a stereolithography machine (1) comprising the following: a container (3) suited to contain a fluid substance and comprising a transparent bottom (3a); a support plate (2) provided with a hole (2a) and designed to house the container (3) so that the transparent bottom (3a) faces the hole (2a); a radiation source (4) arranged below the support plate (2) and suited to convey a radiation beam towards the transparent bottom (3a) through the hole (2a); a temperature control unit (5) suited to maintain the support plate (2) at a predetermined temperature.