Syringe 3D Printer Pressure Control for Pharma Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for dispensing pharmaceutical products rely on human agents to arrange and dispense identical volumes, leading to inefficiencies and wastage, as they lack the capability to accurately control the dispensing of materials into specific shapes and multi-layered configurations.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printer with a syringe-based system that controls pressure to accurately dispense materials, allowing for the creation of consumable items with controlled shapes and increased surface area, reducing wastage and enabling the use of fast-setting materials for quick and consistent multi-layer production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a machine simply dispenses a dose of flowable material in a globule, then the dispensing process is simple and fast, but the surface area is limited and layer adhesion is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable print head that can dynamically position and dispense material in controlled patterns, transforming the static globule dispensing into a dynamic shaped deposition process. This allows the material to be deposited in layers with increased surface area while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from zero-dimensional globule dispensing to three-dimensional shaped material deposition. By controlling the print head to move in multiple dimensions and deposit material in layered configurations, the system achieves significantly increased surface area and improved layer adhesion compared to simple globule dispensing.
2Productivity
If pressure is maintained in the syringe body to enable continuous dispensing, then material flow is consistent, but unwanted dispensation occurs between printing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic pressure control in the syringe body, applying pressure only during active printing operations and releasing it between operations. This periodic action ensures consistent material flow during dispensing while preventing unwanted material dispensation and wastage during idle periods, thereby maintaining productivity without increasing loss of substance.
3Productivity
If human agents manually arrange pharmaceutical products, then flexibility in arrangement is high, but efficiency and consistency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the dispensing system to automatically arrange and position pharmaceutical products without human intervention. The automated print head controls material deposition patterns, layer formation, and product configuration, achieving both high efficiency and consistent results while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control.
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 3D printer achieves more accurate and efficient dispensing of pharmaceutical or healthcare supplements by reducing unwanted material dispensation, minimizing wastage, and enabling the production of complex shapes with improved layer adhesion, thus reducing the burden on dispensing agents.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator arranged to move the plunger mechanism relative to the body mechanism in a first direction to increase a pressure in the syringe body to dispense the material
Implementation Method 2
to move the plunger mechanism relative to the body mechanism in a second direction to reduce the pressure in the syringe body to inhibit the dispensation of the material
Data Source
AI summary
A 3D printer for producing consumable products, the 3D printer comprising an apparatus for dispensing a material, the apparatus comprising: a first syringe having a body for containing a material, a nozzle for dispensing the material from the body, and a plunger for controlling a pressure in the body, a plunger mechanism coupled to the plunger, a body mechanism coupled to the body and an actuator arranged to move the plunger mechanism relative to the body mechanism in a first direction to increase a pressure in the syringe body to dispense the material and to move the plunger mechanism relative to the body mechanism in a second direction to reduce the pressure in the syringe body to inhibit the dispensation of the material.