UV Curing Apparatus for 3D Printing with Rotating Tray and Hood
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current UV curing devices for 3D printing products lack uniform UV irradiation, leading to incomplete and uneven curing due to directional irradiation, which affects the quality and usability of 3D printed products.
Innovation Solution
A UV curing apparatus with a hood structure that allows for uniform UV light distribution, featuring a hollow placement groove and annular UV light tubes arranged concentrically on the hood's inner walls, with varying distances to ensure maximum irradiation angles and a compact electrical connection system for efficient power supply and cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If UV irradiation is performed from one direction, then the device structure is simple, but the UV curing uniformity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The UV irradiation system is segmented into multiple UV light tubes arranged at different positions (inner top, inner sidewalls, outer sidewalls) and orientations (horizontal, vertical, inclined) to divide the irradiation task across multiple sources, achieving uniform 360-degree coverage without excessive structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-direction irradiation to multi-dimensional irradiation by positioning UV light tubes in three-dimensional space around the product (top, sidewalls, bottom), creating comprehensive coverage that eliminates shadow areas and ensures uniform curing
2Illumination intensity
If the UV light tube is positioned close to the product, then the irradiation intensity is high, but the heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrated heat load from a single close UV source is segmented and distributed across multiple UV light tubes positioned at various distances and angles, reducing the thermal burden on any single location while maintaining adequate irradiation intensity through cumulative effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air circulation as an intermediary cooling mechanism, using fans to create airflow that passes through hollow placement grooves and removes heat from the irradiation zone, enabling close positioning of UV tubes without excessive heat buildup
3Manufacturing precision
If a hollow placement groove structure is used, then the UV light transmission is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow placement groove structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits UV light through its transparent walls, provides cooling airflow passage, offers mechanical support for the product, and maintains structural integrity, thereby improving light transmission without proportionally increasing complexity
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
Ensures automatic and uniform UV curing of 3D products, improving curing efficiency and maintaining a reasonable temperature range, thereby enhancing the quality and usability of 3D printed items.
Implementation Method 1
UV light tubes are arranged on an inner wall of the hood; light emitted from the UV light tube can pass through the hollow placement groove and irradiate the surface of the 3D product
Implementation Method 2
Heat generated during the irradiation of the UV light tube in the hood is timely discharged out of the hood by means of a fan
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a UV curing apparatus for a 3D printing product, including a base. A tray is disposed above the base. The tray is horizontally and rotatably connected around a vertical rotating shaft on the base. A hood concentric with the tray is disposed on the base. The tray is located in the hood, and UV light tubes are arranged on an inner wall of the hood. The tray provides a driving force by means of a driving motor. The driving motor is fixed in the base. As can be seen from the foregoing structure, according to the UV curing apparatus for a 3D printing product in the present invention, a UV curing apparatus applicable to a 3D product is provided, and the surface of the 3D product can be automatically and uniformly subjected to UV curing.