Metal Wire Guide Conduit Overpressure for Oxidation-Free 3D Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-dimensional printing using the LMD process faces challenges due to the introduction of outside air into the enclosure, which pollutes the inert atmosphere and oxidizes thin layers of molten metal, compromising the printing process.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating means for injecting an inert gas into the metal wire guide conduit to generate overpressure, preventing outside air from entering the enclosure by creating an inert gas flow that opposes and blocks the introduction of oxygen-rich air, using argon or nitrogen to maintain a contamination-free environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a guide conduit is used to guide the metal wire from outside the enclosure, then the metal wire can be supplied continuously to the deposition zone, but outside air enters through the guide conduit and oxidizes the molten metal layers
Solution Approach 1:
An inert gas (such as argon or nitrogen) is introduced as an intermediary substance into the guide conduit to displace and block outside air. The inert gas flows through the guide conduit in the same direction as the metal wire, creating a protective atmosphere that prevents oxygen from reaching the molten metal layers while allowing continuous wire supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide conduit is transformed into an inert atmosphere environment by continuously supplying inert gas through it. This creates an oxygen-free zone within the conduit that protects the molten metal from oxidation while maintaining the functionality of wire guidance and supply.
2Ease of operation
If the guide conduit is opened to the outside environment, then wire feeding is simplified, but the inert atmosphere inside the enclosure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The inert gas acts as a mediator between the outside environment and the enclosed deposition zone. It allows the guide conduit to remain open for wire feeding while simultaneously preventing outside air from contaminating the inert atmosphere, thus maintaining both operational simplicity and atmospheric integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
A pneumatic system is used to supply inert gas through the guide conduit, creating a positive pressure flow that actively pushes back against outside air infiltration. This pneumatic barrier maintains the inert atmosphere while allowing continuous wire feeding through the same conduit.
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 inert gas injection effectively maintains an inert atmosphere within the enclosure, preventing oxidation of molten metal layers and ensuring the quality of the printed parts by excluding outside air, thus enhancing the reliability and precision of the three-dimensional printing process.
Implementation Method 1
The presence of means for injecting an inert gas into the metal wire guide conduit makes it possible to generate an overpressure in the conduit and to prevent outside air introduced into the conduit from reaching the distal end of the conduit
Implementation Method 2
These heating means include means for emitting one or more high temperature 22b laser beam(s) that impact(s) and melt(s) the metal wire 18
Implementation Method 3
These heating means consist of lasers oriented to melt the metal wire 18 coming out of the conduit
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly of a device for three-dimensional printing by metal deposition comprising a conduit for guiding a metal wire and opening inside an enclosure under an inert atmosphere. The device has means for injecting an inert gas into the conduit of the head.