HRP20190639A2

HRP20190639A2 - Integrated 3d printer head

Info

Publication number: HRP20190639A2
Application number: HRP20190639AA
Authority: HR
Inventors: Predrag Utješinović
Original assignee: REPLICUBE d.o.o.
Priority date: 2019-04-01
Filing date: 2019-04-01
Publication date: 2019-12-27

Abstract

Integrirana glava 3D printera (6) sadržava kanal za plastičnu nit (7) i središnji dio (8) u kojem se nalazi prostor za ležajeve (4), te nadalje sadržava četiri otvora za dvije osovine (5) pri čemu su po dva otvora za osovine (5) na istoj osi na suprotnim stranama integrirane glave 3D printera, tako da kroz njih može proći jedna osovina (11,12), pri čemu su ti otvori za osovine (5) razmješteni tako da kroz te otvore za osovine (5) i kroz središnji dio (8) mogu proći dvije osovine (11,12) po kojima se kreće integrirana glava 3D printera (6).The integrated 3D printer head (6) comprises a duct for the plastic filament (7) and a central portion (8) housing the bearing space (4), and it further comprises four openings for two axles (5); two openings for axles (5) are on the same axis on opposite sides of the integrated 3D printer head so that one axle (11,12) can pass through them, whereby these axle openings (5) are arranged in such a way that through these axle openings (5) and through the central part (8) two axles (11,12) can pass, along which the integrated 3D printer head (6) moves.The integrated head of the 3D printer (6) contains a channel for plastic thread (7) and a central part (8) in which there is space for bearings (4), and further contains four holes for two axes (5) with two holes for shafts (5) on the same axis on opposite sides of the integrated 3D printer head, so that one shaft (11,12) can pass through them, these shaft holes (5) being arranged so that through these shaft holes (5) and two shafts (11,12) can pass through the central part (8) along which the integrated 3D printer head (6) moves. The integrated 3D printer head (6) comprises a duct for the plastic filament (7) and a central portion (8) housing the bearing space (4), and it further comprises four openings for two axles (5); two openings for axles (5) are on the same axis on opposite sides of the integrated 3D printer head so that one axle (11,12) can pass through them, whereby these axle openings (5) are arranged in such a way that through these axle openings (5) and through the central part (8) two axles (11,12) can pass, along which the integrated 3D printer head (6) moves.

Description

Područje na koje se izum odnosi The field to which the invention relates

Ovaj izum se odnosi na tzv. "hladnu stranu" (eng. cold end) glave 3D printera koji koriste tehnologiju polaganja slijepljenih niti (eng. Fused Filament Deposition, FFD ili ponekad Fused Filament Fabrication, FFF). This invention refers to the so-called "cold end" of the head of 3D printers that use the technology of laying fused filaments (eng. Fused Filament Deposition, FFD or sometimes Fused Filament Fabrication, FFF).

Tehnički problem Technical problem

3D printeri koji koriste FFD tehnologiju susreću se s problemom velike mase koju moraju pokretati odgovarajući elektromotori, a koji nastaje zbog odvojenih sustava za linearno kretanje i sustava za topljenje termoplastike, tj. ispisne glave. 3D printers that use FFD technology face the problem of a large mass that must be driven by the corresponding electric motors, which is caused by separate systems for linear movement and systems for melting thermoplastics, i.e. the print head.

Sustav za linearno kretanje se sastoji od jednog ili više linearnih ležajeva zatvorenih u odgovarajuća kućišta. Sustav za topljenje termoplastike, tj. sama glava za ispis se sastoji od tzv. hladne i tople strane te brizgalice spojene na toplu stranu glave. Velika masa smanjuje maksimalnu brzinu ispisa i povećava vibracije, te time smanjuje kvalitetu finalnog objekta. A linear motion system consists of one or more linear bearings enclosed in appropriate housings. The system for melting thermoplastics, i.e. the print head itself consists of the so-called cold and hot sides and nozzles connected to the hot side of the head. A large mass reduces the maximum printing speed and increases vibrations, thus reducing the quality of the final object.

Primarni cilj ovog izuma je smanjivanje pokretne mase glave za ispis 3D printera. The primary goal of this invention is to reduce the moving mass of the print head of a 3D printer.

Sekundarni cilj izuma je pojednostavljenje konstrukcije glave za ispis 3D printera. The secondary goal of the invention is to simplify the construction of the print head of a 3D printer.

Ostali ciljevi kao i neke dodatne prednosti izuma biti će navedeni i objašnjeni u nastavku teksta prateći opis primarnih ciljeva. Other objectives as well as some additional advantages of the invention will be listed and explained below following the description of the primary objectives.

Stanje tehnike State of the art

Trenutna rješenja ispisnih glava za 3D printere pristupaju ovome problemu dvojako. S jedne strane imamo pokušaje smanjivanja mase generičkih komponenti. Takav pristup ima nekoliko značajnih ograničenja. Naime, zbog visokih temperatura koje su potrebne za topljenje niti u procesu 3D printanja, postoji granica do koje se može ići u smanjivanju, a da se i dalje zadovolje termički zahtjevi. Drugi, i značajniji problem je što se prilikom smanjivanja mase generičkih komponenti povećava zahtjev za preciznošću i kvalitetom izrade istih, što za sobom povlači eksponencijalni rast troškova. Current print head solutions for 3D printers approach this problem in two ways. On the one hand, we have attempts to reduce the mass of generic components. Such an approach has several significant limitations. Namely, due to the high temperatures required to melt the threads in the 3D printing process, there is a limit to which one can go in reducing, and still meet the thermal requirements. Another, and more significant, problem is that when reducing the mass of generic components, the demand for precision and quality of their manufacture increases, which entails an exponential increase in costs.

Drugi pristup je nešto trivijalniji, ali su i rezultati u skladu s tim. Taj pristup se očituje u jednostavnom ograničavanju maksimalne brzine ispisa 3D printera. Elektromotori se ograničavanjem maksimalne brzine mogu nositi sa zadanom masom pokretnih dijelova, ali na štetu opće efikasnosti i ekonomičnosti 3D printera. The second approach is somewhat more trivial, but the results are in line with it. This approach is manifested in a simple limitation of the maximum printing speed of the 3D printer. By limiting the maximum speed, electric motors can cope with a given mass of moving parts, but at the expense of the general efficiency and economy of the 3D printer.

Izlaganje suštine izuma Presentation of the essence of the invention

U ovome izumu je izložena integrirana glava 3D printera koja se može gibati po osovinama s time da navedena glava sadržava kanal za plastičnu nit i središnji dio u kojem se nalazi prostor za ležajeve, te nadalje sadržava četiri otvora za dvije osovine po kojima se giba, pri čemu su po dva otvora za te osovine na istoj osi na suprotnim stranama integrirane glave 3D printera, tako da kroz njih može proći jedna osovina, pri čemu su ti otvori za osovine razmješteni tako da kroz te otvore za osovine i kroz središnji dio mogu proći dvije osovine po kojima se kreće integrirana glava 3D printera. Navedene osovine mogu biti cilindrične. In this invention, an integrated head of a 3D printer that can be moved along the axes is disclosed, with said head containing a channel for plastic thread and a central part in which there is space for bearings, and further containing four openings for two axes along which it moves, while why there are two openings for these axes on the same axis on opposite sides of the integrated head of the 3D printer, so that one axis can pass through them, and these axis openings are arranged so that two can pass through these axis openings and through the central part axes on which the integrated head of the 3D printer moves. Said shafts can be cylindrical.

Moguće je razmještaj otvora za osovine izvesti na nekoliko načina, ovisno o potrebama aplikacije i vrsti 3D printera. U jednoj izvedbi su četiri otvora za osovine razmještena tako da kada osovine prolaze kroz njih tada su osovine paralelne i vertikalno jedna iznad druge tako da su im osi u istoj ravnini. U drugoj izvedbi su četiri otvora za osovine razmještena tako da kada osovine prolaze kroz njih tada su osovine paralelne i horizontalno jedna pored druge tako da su im osi u istoj ravnini. U trećoj izvedbi su četiri otvora za osovine razmještena tako da kada osovine prolaze kroz njih tada osovine prolaze jedna iznad druge te se njihove osi vertikalno gledano zatvaraju kut od 90°. It is possible to arrange the openings for the shafts in several ways, depending on the needs of the application and the type of 3D printer. In one embodiment, the four axle holes are arranged so that when the axles pass through them, the axles are parallel and vertically above each other so that their axes are in the same plane. In another embodiment, the four axle holes are arranged so that when the axles pass through them, the axles are parallel and horizontally next to each other so that their axes are in the same plane. In the third version, the four openings for the axles are arranged so that when the axles pass through them, then the axles pass one above the other and their axes vertically close an angle of 90°.

Ovdje izložena integrirana glava 3D printera može sadržavati rashladni element. Uobičajeno je rashladni element radijatorski hladnjak. Za zahtjevnije izvedbe rashladni element može biti kombinacija radijatorskog hladnjaka i ventilatora. The integrated 3D printer head exposed here may contain a cooling element. Usually, the cooling element is a radiator cooler. For more demanding designs, the cooling element can be a combination of a radiator cooler and a fan.

Ovim izumom se štiti i 3D printer koji sadržava integriranu glavu 3D printera kako je ranije opisana. This invention also protects a 3D printer that contains an integrated 3D printer head as described earlier.

Integrirana glava 3D printera se prema ovome izumu može sadržavati i sustav za linearno kretanje koji je s hladnom stranom glave za ispis spojen u jedinstvenu cjelinu. According to this invention, the integrated head of the 3D printer can also contain a linear movement system that is connected to the cold side of the print head into a single unit.

Unutar dijela integrirane glave 3D printera se nalazi prostor za ugradnju linearnih ležajeva dimenzija raznih dimenzija, a prema potrebama zadanim dizajnom kompletnog 3D printera. Inicijalni nacrt predviđa uporabu cilindričnih linearnih ležajeva i odgovarajućih osovina, ali je dizajn moguće vrlo jednostavno prilagoditi i ostalim raširenim sustavima za linearno kretanje. Inside the part of the integrated head of the 3D printer there is a space for the installation of linear bearings of various dimensions, according to the needs set by the design of the complete 3D printer. The initial design envisages the use of cylindrical linear bearings and corresponding shafts, but the design can be easily adapted to other widespread linear motion systems.

Dio integrirane glave 3D printera koji preuzima ulogu “hladne strane” ima otvor za prihvat plastičnih niti koji je vrlo jednostavno napraviti u izvedbama za dva najraširenija formata, a to su 1,75 mm i 2,85 mm. Uporabom dodatne PFTE plastične cijevi je čak moguće napravit univerzalnu integriranu glavu 3D printera koja bi uz zamjenu navedene cijevi mogla koristiti oba formata bez dodatnih preinaka. Također, predviđen je i rebrasti rashladni sustav, prema potrebi potpomognut jednim ili više ventilatora za efikasno obavljanje zadaće "hladne strane". The part of the integrated head of the 3D printer that takes the role of the "cold side" has an opening for accepting plastic threads, which is very easy to make in versions for the two most widespread formats, namely 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm. By using an additional PFTE plastic tube, it is even possible to create a universal integrated head of a 3D printer which, with the replacement of the said tube, could use both formats without additional modifications. Also, a ribbed cooling system is provided, if necessary supported by one or more fans for efficient performance of the "cold side" task.

Kratak opis crteža Brief description of the drawing

Slika 1. nacrt integrirane glave 3D printera; Figure 1. blueprint of the integrated head of the 3D printer;

Slika 2. bokocrt integrirane glave 3D printera; Figure 2. side view of the integrated 3D printer head;

Slika 3. tlocrt integrirane glave 3D printera; Figure 3. floor plan of the integrated head of the 3D printer;

Slika 4. trodimenzionalni prikaz integrirane glave 3D printera; Figure 4. three-dimensional view of the integrated head of the 3D printer;

Slika 5. presjek glave za ispis; Figure 5. section of the print head;

Slika 6. prikaz integrirane glave 3D printera u izvedbi kada su četiri otvora za osovine razmještena tako da kada osovine prolaze kroz njih tada su osovine paralelne i vertikalno jedna iznad druge tako da su im osi u istoj ravnini; Figure 6. a view of the integrated head of the 3D printer in the version when the four holes for the shafts are arranged so that when the shafts pass through them, then the shafts are parallel and vertically above each other so that their axes are in the same plane;

Slika 7. prikaz integrirane glave 3D printera u izvedbi kada su četiri otvora za osovine razmještena tako da kada osovine prolaze kroz njih tada su osovine paralelne i horizontalno jedna pored druge tako da su im osi u istoj ravnini; Figure 7. a view of the integrated head of the 3D printer in the version when the four holes for the shafts are arranged so that when the shafts pass through them, then the shafts are parallel and horizontally next to each other so that their axes are in the same plane;

Slika 8. prikaz integrirane glave 3D printera u izvedbi kada su četiri otvora za osovine razmještena tako da kada osovine prolaze kroz njih tada osovine prolaze jedna iznad druge te se njihove osi vertikalno gledano zatvaraju kut od 90°. Figure 8. a view of the integrated head of the 3D printer in the version when the four openings for the shafts are arranged so that when the shafts pass through them, then the shafts pass one above the other and their axes vertically close an angle of 90°.

Popis upotrijebljenih pozivnih oznaka List of used call signs

1 ulaz u "hladnu stranu" za plastičnu nit 1 entrance to the "cold side" for plastic thread

2 izlaz plastične niti prema "vrućoj strani" (eng. hot end) 2 output of the plastic thread towards the "hot end" (eng. hot end)

3 rashladni element 3 cooling element

4 prostor za linearne ležajeve 4 spaces for linear bearings

5 otvori za osovine 5 shaft openings

6 integrirana glava 3D printera 6 integrated 3D printer heads

7 kanal za plastičnu nit 7 channel for plastic thread

8 središnji dio 8 central part

11,12 osovine 11,12 axles

Detaljan opis jednog od načina ostvarenja izuma Detailed description of one of the ways of realizing the invention

Najzorniji način za prikaz ostvarenja izuma dobije se pregledom presjeka glave za ispis, Slika 5. Plastična nit, pogonjena elektromotorom, ulazi na ulaz u hladnu stranu 1. Sama FFD tehnologija zahtijeva održavanje temperature niti ispod točke taljenja u cijelom području hladne strane glave, što je omogućeno radijatorskim hladnjakom 3. Ukoliko pojedina vrsta termoplastične niti traži značajniju količinu disipacije topline, efikasnost hladnjaka se može znatno povećati dodavanjem ventilatora na radijatorski hladnjak 3. Iz istog razloga, materijal za izradu integrirane glave 3D printera treba imati zadovoljavajuće termalne karakteristike. S obzirom na tehničke, termalne i ekonomske karakteristike, jedan od najboljih materijala je aluminij, ali sam izum omogućava i izbor drugih materijala prema posebnim zahtjevima. The clearest way to show the realization of the invention is obtained by examining the cross-section of the print head, Figure 5. The plastic thread, driven by an electric motor, enters the entrance to the cold side 1. The FFD technology itself requires maintaining the temperature of the thread below the melting point in the entire area of the cold side of the head, which is made possible by the radiator cooler 3. If a certain type of thermoplastic thread requires a significant amount of heat dissipation, the efficiency of the cooler can be significantly increased by adding a fan to the radiator cooler 3. For the same reason, the material for making the integrated 3D printer head should have satisfactory thermal characteristics. With regard to technical, thermal and economic characteristics, one of the best materials is aluminum, but the invention itself enables the choice of other materials according to special requirements.

Nakon prolaska kroz hladnu stranu, plastična nit izlazi na izlaz iz hladne strane 2 prema vrućoj strani, gdje se topi i polaže na prethodno nanesene slojeve, i time tvori željeni objekt After passing through the cold side, the plastic thread exits from the cold side 2 towards the hot side, where it melts and is laid on the previously applied layers, thus forming the desired object

Istovremeno, linearno kretanje se omogućava ugradnjom linearnih ležajeva u za to predviđene prostore 4 i provlačenjem cilindričnih osovina kroz linearne ležajeve i otvore u kućištu integrirane glave 3D printera 5. At the same time, linear movement is made possible by installing linear bearings in the designated spaces 4 and by passing the cylindrical shafts through the linear bearings and openings in the housing of the integrated head of the 3D printer 5.

Dodatna prednost ovakvim pozicioniranjem elemenata izuma minimizirana je udaljenost između brizgalice i osi kretanja, što za dodatnu prednost ima smanjivanje vibracija, shodno tome povećanje kvalitete 3D izrade. An additional advantage of this positioning of the elements of the invention is that the distance between the injector and the axis of movement is minimized, which has the additional advantage of reducing vibrations, correspondingly increasing the quality of 3D production.

Ova integrirana glava 3D printera 6 se giba po osovinama 11,12. Sadržava kanal za plastičnu nit 7 i središnji dio 8 u kojem se nalazi prostor za ležajeve 4. Nadalje sadržava četiri otvora za dvije osovine 5 koji se izvode tako da su po dva otvora za osovine na istoj osi na suprotnim stranama integrirane glave 3D printera, tako da kroz njih može proći jedna osovina 11,12. Otvori za osovine 5 razmješteni tako da kroz te otvore za osovine 5 i kroz središnji dio 8 mogu proći dvije osovine 11,12 po kojima se kreće integrirana glava 3D printera 6. This integrated head of the 3D printer 6 moves along axes 11,12. It contains a channel for plastic thread 7 and a central part 8 in which there is space for bearings 4. Furthermore, it contains four openings for two axes 5, which are made so that two openings for axes are on the same axis on opposite sides of the integrated 3D printer head, so that one axle 11,12 can pass through them. Shaft openings 5 arranged so that two shafts 11,12 on which the integrated head of the 3D printer 6 moves can pass through these shaft openings 5 and through the central part 8.

Uobičajeno se osovine 11,12 izvode kao cilindrične. U jednoj izvedbi se integrirana glava 3D printera 6 izvodi tako da su četiri otvora za osovine 5 izvedena tako da su razmješteni na način da kada osovine prolaze kroz njih tada su osovine paralelne i vertikalno jedna iznad druge tako da su im osi u istoj ravnini kao što je prikazano na Slici 6. Usually, the shafts 11, 12 are made as cylindrical. In one embodiment, the integrated head of the 3D printer 6 is made so that the four shaft openings 5 are arranged in such a way that when the shafts pass through them, the shafts are parallel and vertically above each other so that their axes are in the same plane as is shown in Figure 6.

U jednoj daljnjoj izvedbi integrirane glave 3D printera navedena četiri otvora za osovine 5 su razmještena tako da kada osovine prolaze kroz njih tada su osovine paralelne i horizontalno jedna pored druge tako da su im osi u istoj ravnini kao što je prikazano na slici 7. U idućoj mogućoj izvedbi integrirane glave 3D printera navedena četiri otvora za osovine 5 se izvode tako da su razmještene na način da kada osovine prolaze kroz njih tada osovine prolaze jedna iznad druge te se njihove osi vertikalno gledano zatvaraju kut od 90° kako je prikazano na Slici 8. In a further embodiment of the integrated head of the 3D printer, said four shaft openings 5 are arranged so that when the shafts pass through them, then the shafts are parallel and horizontally next to each other so that their axes are in the same plane as shown in Figure 7. In the next in a possible embodiment of the integrated head of the 3D printer, the specified four openings for shafts 5 are made so that they are arranged in such a way that when the shafts pass through them, then the shafts pass one above the other and their axes vertically close an angle of 90° as shown in Figure 8.

U slučaju da ova integrirana glava sadržava i rashladni element 3, isti se izvodi kao izvodi radijatorski hladnjak. Može se izvesti i kao kombinacija radijatorskog hladnjaka i ventilatora. In the event that this integrated head also contains a cooling element 3, it is designed like a radiator cooler. It can also be performed as a combination of radiator cooler and fan.

Ukoliko se izrađuje 3D printer u njega se ugrađuje glava kao što je naprijed opisano, odnosno može se kupcu isporučiti u dijelovima, pa kupac sam montira navedenu integriranu glavu 3D printera. If a 3D printer is made, a head is built into it as described above, that is, it can be delivered to the customer in parts, so the customer installs the mentioned integrated head of the 3D printer himself.

Način primjene izuma Method of application of the invention

Ovaj je izum moguće koristiti za izradu potpuno nove glave za ispis 3D printerima na gotovo svim tipovima 3D printera koji koriste FFD tehnologiju. Međutim, uporabom standardiziranih dimenzija navoja za ulaz u hladnu stranu (1) i za izlaz prema vrućoj strani (2), te standardnim veličinama linearnih ležajeva, ovaj je izum također moguće koristiti i kao nadogradnju postojećih glava za ispis. This invention can be used to create a completely new 3D print head on almost all types of 3D printers that use FFD technology. However, by using standardized thread dimensions for the entrance to the cold side (1) and for the exit to the hot side (2), and standard sizes of linear bearings, this invention can also be used as an upgrade of existing print heads.

Claims

1. Integrated 3D printer head (6) that can be moved along axes (11,12) characterized by the fact that it contains a channel for plastic thread (7) and a central part (8) in which there is space for bearings (4), and further contains four openings for two axes (5), whereby two openings for axes (5) are on the same axis on opposite sides of the integrated head of the 3D printer, so that one axis (11,12) can pass through them, and these openings are for shafts (5) arranged so that two shafts (11,12) on which the integrated head of the 3D printer (6) moves can pass through these openings for shafts (5) and through the central part (8).

2. Integrated 3D printer head (6) according to the first patent claim, characterized in that the shafts (11,12) are cylindrical.

3. An integrated 3D printer head (6) according to any preceding patent claim characterized in that the four shaft openings (5) are arranged so that when the shafts pass through them then the shafts are parallel and vertically above each other so that their axes are in the same plane.

4. An integrated head of a 3D printer (6) according to the first or second patent claim, characterized in that the four openings for the shafts (5) are arranged so that when the shafts pass through them, then the shafts are parallel and horizontally next to each other so that their axes are in the same plane.

5. The integrated head of the 3D printer (6) according to the first or second patent claim, characterized by the fact that the four openings for the shafts (5) are arranged so that when the shafts pass through them, then the shafts pass one above the other and their axes vertically close an angle of 90 °.

6. Integrated 3D printer head (6) according to any preceding patent claim characterized in that it further contains a cooling element (3).

7. Integrated 3D printer head (6) according to the sixth patent claim, characterized in that the cooling element (3) is a radiator cooler.

8. Integrated 3D printer head (6) according to the sixth patent claim, characterized in that the cooling element (3) is a combination of a radiator cooler and a fan.

9. 3D printer characterized in that it contains an integrated 3D printer head (6) according to any preceding patent claim.