3D Printer Tool Head Shared Drive System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D printers with multiple extruder tools are large, heavy, complex, and expensive due to separate drive systems for each extruder tool, limiting their economic viability and efficiency in manufacturing three-dimensional objects by melt layering.
Innovation Solution
A tool head with a shared drive system and a selection device that allows for the operative connection between the drive system and multiple drivable tools, including extruder tools, enabling the use of multiple extruder tools with a single drive system, reducing the need for multiple drive systems and simplifying the construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate drive systems are used for multiple extruder tools, then each extruder tool can be independently controlled, but the tool head becomes large, heavy, complex, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
A single drive system is designed to serve multiple extruder tools through a selection device that can establish operative connections with different tools. The drive system includes a drive shaft and selection device that enables one drive system to control multiple extruder tools sequentially or simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate drive systems for each tool.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple extruder tools are combined under a single drive system rather than having separate drive systems. The tools share common components including the drive shaft, selection device, and control circuitry, which reduces the overall complexity, size, and cost of the tool head while maintaining the capability to handle multiple materials.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate drive systems are used for multiple extruder tools, then each tool has dedicated control, but the tool head size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single drive system with selection device provides multi-functional capability to control multiple extruder tools, enabling the tool head to handle different modeling materials without requiring separate drive systems. This universal approach significantly reduces the weight of the moving tool head compared to having multiple dedicated drive systems.
3Device complexity
If a shared drive system is used for multiple extruder tools, then the tool head becomes more economical and simpler, but a selection device is needed to establish operative connections
Solution Approach 1:
The selection device automatically establishes operative connections between the drive system and the appropriate extruder tool based on control signals. The system includes a control circuit that manages the selection and switching between different tools, making the operation straightforward and eliminating the need for manual intervention in the tool selection process.
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 solution results in a more economical, smaller, lighter, and simpler tool head that can handle multiple extruder tools, allowing for the simultaneous or sequential use of different modeling materials without the need for tool changes, thereby reducing build time and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a shared drive system for the at least two drivable tools, the drive system serving, in the context of the at least one extruder tool, to feed the modeling material into an extrusion unit
Implementation Method 2
at least one of which is an extruder tool for melting a modeling material suitable for building the object in layers
Data Source
AI summary
A tool head for use in a 3D printer includes at least two drivable tools, at least one of which is an extruder tool for melting a modeling material suitable for building an object in layers. A shared or common drive system for the at least two drivable tools serves, in the context of the at least one extruder tool, to feed the modeling material into an extrusion unit. A selection device can establish an operative connection between at least one tool selected from the number of drivable tools and the drive system.