Wheeled Trolley for 3D Print Bucket Alignment and Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital printing technologies face challenges in efficiently transitioning between print jobs due to the need for drying or cooling processes, which can hinder the reuse of printing stations and reduce overall output, especially in powder-based 3D printing where alignment issues and ground irregularities complicate the insertion and removal of build platforms.
Innovation Solution
A wheeled trolley system with a print bucket and coupling elements that engage and disengage with the printing station, allowing for precise alignment and independent operation from ground irregularities, enabling the build platform to be removed for cooling outside the machine, thus facilitating faster job turnover and increased throughput without requiring mechanical or electronic actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the build platform is removed from the printing station for cooling outside the machine, then the printing station can be reused for another print job, but the alignment and insertion of the build platform becomes complicated due to ground irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trolley as an intermediary device between the ground and the build platform. The trolley includes a platform that supports the build platform and wheels that move on the ground. This intermediary trolley isolates the build platform from ground irregularities, allowing easy alignment and insertion into the printing station while maintaining high productivity through rapid platform exchange for cooling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into three independent components: the ground-based trolley with wheels, the build platform, and the printing station. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the trolley handles mobility and alignment, the build platform contains the printed product, and the printing station performs the printing operation. This modular approach resolves the contradiction by allowing the build platform to be easily transferred via the trolley without being affected by ground irregularities
2Loss of time
If the build platform is removed for external cooling, then the printing cycle time is reduced, but the complexity of the mounting and dismounting mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley is designed to be manually operable without requiring complex mechanical or electronic actuators. The build platform can be easily loaded onto and unloaded from the trolley by hand, and the trolley can be manually positioned and inserted into the printing station. This self-service approach minimizes the complexity of mounting and dismounting mechanisms while still enabling rapid platform exchange to reduce printing cycle times
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling function is extracted from the printing station and performed externally. The build platform is removed from the printing station after printing and placed on the trolley for cooling outside the machine. This extraction eliminates the need for complex internal cooling mechanisms and allows the printing station to be immediately reused for another job, reducing cycle time without adding complexity to the mounting mechanism
3Measurement precision
If a wheeled trolley system is used for build platform transport, then the alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley platform is designed with a surface that is homogeneous and uniform, providing a stable and level base for the build platform. This homogeneous surface ensures consistent alignment regardless of ground irregularities. The simplicity of the homogeneous design minimizes additional components while achieving improved alignment precision through the uniform support surface
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A build platform (100, 200, 300) for a printing station is described comprising a trolley (105, 205, 305, 405) and a print bucket (110, 210, 310, 410). The print bucket may be mounted on the trolley and may comprise coupling elements (115A, 115B, 215A, 215B, 315A, 315B, 415A, 415B), respectively engageable to receiving elements (120A, 120B, 220A, 220B, 320A, 320B, 420A, 420B) of the printing station (150, 250, 350, 450). The coupling elements may cause the print bucket to at least partially disengage from the trolley when the coupling elements engage with the receiving elements of the printing station.