Variable Growing Space for Powder Bed 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser sintering machines for powdered materials often require excessive amounts of powder, leading to increased costs and waste, particularly when creating valuable objects like dental prostheses or jewelry, as they use a fixed growing space regardless of the object's dimensions.
Innovation Solution
The machine features a variable growing space and containment space, adjustable through interchangeable annular base bodies and platforms, allowing for precise control of powder quantity based on object dimensions, reducing waste and powder usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a fixed growing space is used for laser sintering, then the machine structure is simple, but excessive powder is consumed and waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a variable growing space that can be dynamically adjusted through interchangeable annular base bodies with different inner diameters. This allows the machine to adapt the containment space to match the actual dimensions of each object being manufactured, thereby reducing powder consumption and waste while maintaining operational simplicity through modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The growing space containment structure is segmented into multiple interchangeable annular base bodies, each with different dimensions. This segmentation allows selective assembly of the appropriate base body size for each manufacturing task, optimizing powder usage without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire machine structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the growing space is enlarged to accommodate various object sizes, then adaptability improves, but powder consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves adaptability through dynamic reconfiguration of the growing space using interchangeable annular base bodies. Each base body is designed with specific dimensions suitable for certain object sizes, allowing the machine to adapt to different manufacturing requirements while precisely controlling the powder quantity needed for each specific task.
Solution Approach 2:
The set of interchangeable annular base bodies creates a universal system that can handle various object sizes and shapes. By selecting the appropriate base body from the set, the machine maintains versatility across different applications while optimizing powder consumption for each specific manufacturing task.
3Loss of substance
If precise powder quantity control is implemented, then powder waste reduces, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containment structure is segmented into standardized interchangeable annular base bodies with precisely defined inner diameters. This segmentation enables precise control over the growing space volume and corresponding powder quantity through simple modular assembly, avoiding the need for complex adjustment mechanisms while achieving accurate material 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
This solution enables the reduction of powder usage and waste, lowering production costs for three-dimensional objects by optimizing powder usage according to the object's dimensions, particularly beneficial for valuable items.
Implementation Method 1
a laser focused on the zones covered by the layer of powder, until the granules of powder have fused together
Implementation Method 2
the sintering process consists of transforming powdered material into a solid end product, by means of a thermal treatment carried out by irradiating the powder with a laser beam
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine (1) for making three-dimensional objects from powdered materials comprises a main body (3) comprising a growing cavity (5) in which a growing platform (7) for growing the object to be produced is slidably inserted. Moreover, the machine comprises depositing means (11) operatively associated with the growing cavity (5) for depositing a succession of layers of powdered materials on the growing platform (7) and an electromagnetic radiation device (18) designed for focusing a beam of electromagnetic radiation on predetermined zones of each layer of powder deposited. The machine also comprises an annular base body (19) which can be operatively associated with the growing cavity (5) of the main body (3) for forming a narrowing of the growing cavity (5). The growing platform (7) is interchangeable for adapting to the narrowing of the growing cavity (5).