Vibrating Piston Jetting for Liquid Wetting Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D printing methods using liquid or liquefied materials face challenges in reproducibility due to high surface tension and low adhesion with rough surfaces, leading to uncontrolled droplet deflection and discharge.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize soundwaves coupled into the liquid material through a vibrating piston to enhance wetting properties of the surface, creating a larger contact area and improving adhesion, allowing for controlled droplet discharge and axially symmetrical flow by filling surface cavities and smoothing rough surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If liquid material with high surface tension is used, then material strength and stability are improved, but droplet discharge control deteriorates due to uncontrolled deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration through a vibrating element that generates sound waves in the liquid material. This vibration modifies the wetting properties of the surface temporarily, enabling controlled droplet discharge by improving adhesion between the liquid and surface, thereby resolving the deflection issue while maintaining material stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wetting properties of the surface by applying sound waves, which temporarily modifies surface energy and adhesion characteristics. This parameter change allows the surface to transition from a state that causes uncontrolled deflection to one that enables precise droplet discharge control
2Ease of manufacture
If rough surfaces are used, then adhesion is reduced and droplet deflection increases, but surface friction and adhesion can be improved with soundwave treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The vibrating element generates sound waves that penetrate the rough surface and modify its wetting properties. This vibration-induced modification temporarily improves adhesion and surface friction, enabling controlled droplet discharge even from rough surfaces that would otherwise cause uncontrolled deflection
3Reliability
If soundwaves are coupled into liquid material, then wetting properties and adhesion are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sound waves in a periodic or pulsed manner rather than continuously. The vibrating element is activated only when needed to modify wetting properties for droplet discharge, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable and reproducible droplet formation when the process is active
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 ensures high reproducibility of droplet formation and precise placement of droplets, even with materials like aluminum, by increasing surface friction and adhesion, while maintaining efficiency and precision in additive manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
soundwaves are coupled into the liquid material in a time-restricted manner, specifically using the piston, which is set in vibration for this purpose
Implementation Method 2
the piston, which is set in vibration for this purpose
Implementation Method 3
The soundwaves press the liquid material into existing cavities in the surface, with the result that said cavities are filled with liquid material
Implementation Method 4
the contact surface area between the liquid material and the surface is enlarged and the surface friction or adhesion rises
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the additive manufacturing of a three-dimensional workpiece from a liquid material (1), in which method the liquid material (1) is fed to a displacement chamber (2) and discharged in drop form via a jet hole (4) by means of a pressure pulse which is generated with the aid of a reciprocating piston (3) delimiting the displacement chamber (2). According to the invention, in order to optimise the wetting properties of at least one surface (5, 6) which delimits the displacement chamber (2) and/or the jet hole (4), sound waves are coupled into the liquid material (1) for a limited period of time with the aid of the piston (3) which is caused to vibrate for this purpose. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method according to the invention.