Temporary Closure for Hollow Workpiece Residual Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional additive manufacturing methods face challenges in easily removing residual modeling materials from workpieces with complex shapes and multiple openings, and performing internal pressure tests without the need for dedicated jigs or support members.
Innovation Solution
A temporary closure is integrated into the 3D printing process, which blocks at least one opening of a hollow region and features a flow hole for fluid ingress and egress, allowing for the removal of residual materials and facilitating pressure tests, while also serving as a support member during manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional additive manufacturing methods are used to produce workpieces with complex shapes and multiple openings, then the workpiece can be manufactured, but residual modeling materials remain trapped inside the hollow regions and cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a temporary closure structure during the additive manufacturing process itself. This closure is designed to be removed after manufacturing but before final use, allowing residual materials to be expelled through the openings. The closure is preliminarily positioned to block openings during manufacturing, then selectively removed to enable material removal through pressure application.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary closure acts as an intermediary element that facilitates the removal of residual materials. It is introduced during manufacturing to control the state of openings, then removed to allow fluid or pressure to expel trapped materials. The closure mediates between the manufactured workpiece and the material removal process, enabling a function that would otherwise be impossible with complex closed structures.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional additive manufacturing methods are used for workpieces with hollow regions, then the workpiece can be manufactured, but dedicated jigs are required for internal pressure testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the temporary closure after manufacturing and before pressure testing. This creates open pathways through the workpiece that allow pressure testing to be performed without dedicated jigs. The closure is extracted at the appropriate stage, transforming the workpiece from a closed structure requiring complex testing fixtures to an accessible structure that can be tested with simple pressure application through the now-open openings.
3Ease of manufacture
If support members are used in additive manufacturing of complex shapes, then overhanging shapes can be manufactured, but the support members remain as unwanted residual materials inside the workpiece
Solution Approach 1:
The temporary closure functions as a disposable element that is intentionally designed to be removed after serving its purpose during manufacturing. Like support members, it is a temporary structure that facilitates the manufacturing of complex shapes but is then discarded to eliminate residual materials. The closure is designed to be easily removable and is sacrificed to achieve a clean final product without trapped support materials.
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 simplifies the removal of residual materials and enables effective pressure testing without additional jigs, reducing processing costs and improving workpiece quality by ensuring efficient fluid flow and pressure distribution.
Implementation Method 1
manufacture a 3 D shape as a result of melting and sintering the powder using laser
Implementation Method 2
a manufacturing process for modeling a support member including a rod-shaped member at a lower position of the object... by irradiating an electron beam to a powder material to melt it
Data Source
AI summary
A modeling method for a workpiece and the workpiece are provided. When the workpiece, at least a part of the workpiece has a hollow region and two or more openings linking an inside and the outside of the hollow region, is additively manufactured, a temporary closure to block at least one of the two or more openings of the hollow region is manufactured at a same time as laminating of a wall section of the hollow region. A peripheral edge of the temporary closure joined to the wall section, and the temporary closure has a flow hole allowing a fluid to flow in or out of the hollow region, then the temporary closure is removed after the fluid has flowed in or out.