WO2023118910A1 - Method and filament feeding unit for ensuring base materials for operating 3d printers - Google Patents

Method and filament feeding unit for ensuring base materials for operating 3d printers Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023118910A1
WO2023118910A1 PCT/HU2022/050088 HU2022050088W WO2023118910A1 WO 2023118910 A1 WO2023118910 A1 WO 2023118910A1 HU 2022050088 W HU2022050088 W HU 2022050088W WO 2023118910 A1 WO2023118910 A1 WO 2023118910A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
filament
shaft
drum
output
feeding unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/HU2022/050088
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Dobóczi ZSOLT
Szűcs LÁSZLÓ
Original Assignee
Óbudai Egyetem
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Publication date
Application filed by Óbudai Egyetem filed Critical Óbudai Egyetem
Publication of WO2023118910A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023118910A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/10—Processes of additive manufacturing
    • B29C64/106—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
    • B29C64/118—Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
    • B22F10/00—Additive manufacturing of workpieces or articles from metallic powder
    • B22F10/10—Formation of a green body
    • B22F10/18—Formation of a green body by mixing binder with metal in filament form, e.g. fused filament fabrication [FFF]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
    • B22F10/00—Additive manufacturing of workpieces or articles from metallic powder
    • B22F10/80—Data acquisition or data processing
    • B22F10/85—Data acquisition or data processing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
    • B22F12/00—Apparatus or devices specially adapted for additive manufacturing; Auxiliary means for additive manufacturing; Combinations of additive manufacturing apparatus or devices with other processing apparatus or devices
    • B22F12/50—Means for feeding of material, e.g. heads
    • B22F12/57—Metering means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/10—Processes of additive manufacturing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/20—Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/20—Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
    • B29C64/255—Enclosures for the building material, e.g. powder containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/30—Auxiliary operations or equipment
    • B29C64/307—Handling of material to be used in additive manufacturing
    • B29C64/321—Feeding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/30—Auxiliary operations or equipment
    • B29C64/307—Handling of material to be used in additive manufacturing
    • B29C64/343—Metering
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C64/00—Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
    • B29C64/30—Auxiliary operations or equipment
    • B29C64/386—Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
    • B29C64/393—Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
    • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
    • B33Y10/00—Processes of additive manufacturing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
    • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
    • B33Y30/00—Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
    • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
    • B33Y50/00—Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
    • B33Y50/02—Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for feeding filament base material to ensure the supply of operational base material for 3D printers.
  • a filament feeding unit having a stand and a shaft mechanically integrated with it, the shaft accommodates, holds and enables the rotation of a filament storage drum, the shaft is provided with a drum support element.
  • the weight of the drum together with the filament stored on it is continuously measured with a mass measuring cell arranged in measurement connection with the shaft or the drum support element, the rotation of the drum is continuously measured with a rotation detector arranged in measurement connection with the shaft and the drum on the drum support element.
  • the invention further relates to a filament feeding unit for ensuring the supply of operational base material for 3D printers
  • the filament feeding unit has a stand and a shaft mechanically integrated with it, the shaft accommodates, holds and enables the rotation of a filament storage drum, the shaft is provided with a drum support element.
  • the weight of the drum together with the filament stored on it is continuously measured with a mass measuring cell arranged in measurement connection with the shaft or the drum support element, the rotation of the drum is continuously measured with a rotation detector arranged in measurement connection with the shaft and the drum on the drum support element.
  • the so-called filament the base material of printing is fed to the printer from a feeding drum.
  • These drums are usually standardized according to their size, weight and the base material, i.e., the thickness of the filament.
  • the present solution does not affect the material of the filament, which is known in the art.
  • the filament is stored in the form of a wire of a given thickness on a drum, from which the 3D printer itself pulls in the necessary raw material from the feeding unit.
  • Patent application No. US2017151715 (A1 ) proposes a solution that increases the efficiency of the printing process by using an anti-scanning additive. However, this does not allow the recognition of typical printing errors and the corresponding intervention.
  • the aim of the present invention is to have an effect on the operation of the 3D printer in the event of a breakage and/or blockage, and to provide the operator with relevant information.
  • the invention is a method according to the introductory paragraph where the output signals of the mass measuring cell and the rotation detector are fed into an evaluation circuit, whose intervening output and warning output are activated during operation of the 3D printer as follows: a) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell is constant and greater than a first given value, where the first given value is greater than the empty weight of the filament storage drum and the output signal of the rotation detector is zero, then the operation of the related 3D printer is stopped by activating the intervening output, and a "breakage" message is sent to the warning output; b) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell and the output signal of the rotation detector jump alternately between two values, then by activating the intervening output, the operation of the 3D printer is stopped and a "blockage" message is sent to the warning output; c) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell is constant at or below the first given value and the output signal of the rotation detector is zero, then the operation of the 3D printer is stopped by activating the intervening output
  • the output signals of the mass measuring cell and the rotation detector are fed into an evaluation circuit, the evaluation circuit has an intervening output that interrupts the operation of a 3D printer, and a warning output connected to a display panel. Furthermore, the shaft is tilted at an angle between 5 and 40 degrees relative to the vertical.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the filament feeding unit according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows a possible design of a filament runout sensor according to the invention.
  • Figure 1 shows the filament feeding unit 1 according to the invention. Its base is formed by a stand 2, on which the unit serving the filament storage drum 3 is arranged.
  • the mass measuring cell 6 that continuously measures the weight of the filament storage drum 3 together with the filament stored on it is arranged in measuring connection with a shaft 4 or a drum support element 5, and a rotation detector 7 that continuously measures the rotation of the filament storage drum 3 is located on the shaft 4 and arranged in measuring connection with the filament storage drum 3 on the drum support element 5.
  • the drum support element 5 is mounted on bearings and designed in such a way that the standard filament drum can be fixedly placed on it in terms of rotation. This arrangement makes it possible to monitor the current state of the filament, thus making it possible to ensure economic operation through intervention.
  • the shaft 4 can be slightly inclined compared to the vertical which enables optimal unwinding of the filament. This inclination is preferably between 5- 40 degrees, advantageously between 10-20 degrees, compared to the vertical. Tilting of the shaft 4 is important for two reasons. Firstly, because of the minimal pre-tension of the filament. Secondly, if the product were to be used horizontally, there would be a risk of its falling off the holder during rotation.
  • a so-called a filament runout sensor is installed.
  • This is a switch that can monitor filament breakage, in such a way that the switch is in an electrically open state when the filament passes through a closed tube, and the contact of the limit switch touches it until the filament - with a diameter of 1.75 mm, made of insulating material - passes through it. If the filament is broken or run out, the switch is electrically closed through its spring contact. In this way, we provide one more option to indicate breakage and runout and/or to interrupt the operation of the 3D printer.
  • the output signals of the mass measuring cell 6 and the rotation detector 7 are led to an evaluation circuit, the evaluation circuit has an intervening output that interrupts the operation of the 3D printer, and a warning output connected to a display panel.
  • the weight of the filament storage drum 3, together with the filament stored on it, is continuously measured by a mass measuring cell 6 arranged in measurement connection with the shaft 4 or the drum support element 5, the rotation of the filament storage drum 3 is continuously measured with a rotation detector 7 arranged in measurement connection with the shaft 4 and the filament storage drum 3 on the drum support element 5.
  • the rotation detector 7 is an inductive rotation detector 7.
  • the output signals of the mass measuring cell 6 and the rotation detector 7 are fed into an evaluation circuit, whose intervening output and warning output are activated during operation of the 3D printer as follows: a) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell 6 is constant and greater than a first given value E1 , where the first given value E1 is greater than the empty weight of the filament storage drum 3 and the output signal of the rotation detector 7 is zero, then the operation of the related 3D printer is stopped by activating the intervening output, and a "breakage" message is sent to the warning output; b) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell 6 and the output signal of the rotation detector 7 jump alternately between two values, then by activating the intervening output, the operation of the 3D printer is stopped and a "blockage” message is sent to the warning output; c) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell 6 is constant at or below the first given value E1 and the output signal of the rotation detector 7 is zero, then the operation of the 3D printer is stopped by activating the intervening output and
  • the first given value E1 and the second given value E2 can be easily determined from experience.
  • the display panel is an LED panel that shows the possible error cases. They can be displayed by LEDs according to the messages. They can be placed on itself the filament feeding unit 1 , on the 3D printer, or somewhere else in its vicinity.
  • the breakage or running out of the filament can be detected with an additional security-enhancing device.
  • an additional security-enhancing device This is shown in Figure 2 through an example.
  • the filament feeding unit 1 there is a filament run-out sensor 8, which is arranged in a housing 10 having a closed tube section in which the filament 13 passes through and is provided with a switch 9.
  • the switch 9 has a spring-loaded pre-stressed arm 12 protruding from it.
  • its end opposite to the switch 9 leans on the continuous filament 13 in an open part of the tube section - preferably provided around the middle portion of the tube section - and the switch 9 is in a first state, which can be either open or closed.
  • the switch 9 In the absence of the filament 13, the switch 9 is in a second state opposite to the first state. Then the closed and open states are exchanged. Both cases can be used. The point is that it should also be connected to the intervening output that interrupts the operation of the 3D printer, so that without the presence of the filament 13, the operation of the 3D printer is stopped. Thus, stopping the printer and/or controlling the warning output is doubly assured.
  • the switch 9 can be a known limit switch equipped with a roller 1 1 arranged at the opposite end of the spring-loaded pre-stressed arm 12 of the switch 9.
  • the advantage of the solution according to the present invention is that it makes the operation of a 3D printer more reliable and economical.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)

Abstract

A filament feeding unit (1) for ensuring the supply of operational base material for 3D printers. A stand (2) and a shaft (4) mechanically integrated accommodating, holding and enabling the rotation of a filament storage drum (3). The weight is continuously measured with a mass measuring cell (6) arranged in measurement connection with the shaft (4) or the drum support element (5), the rotation of the drum (3) is continuously measured with a rotation detector (7) arranged in measurement connection with the shaft (4) and the drum (3) on the drum support element (5). In the method at least if the output signal of the mass measuring cell (6) is constant and greater than a given value, greater than the empty weight of the filament storage drum (3), and the output signal of the rotation detector (7) is zero, then the operation is stopped by activating the intervening output.

Description

METHOD AND FILAMENT FEEDING UNIT FOR ENSURING BASE MATERIALS FOR OPERATING 3D PRINTERS
The invention relates to a method for feeding filament base material to ensure the supply of operational base material for 3D printers. In the method a filament feeding unit is used, having a stand and a shaft mechanically integrated with it, the shaft accommodates, holds and enables the rotation of a filament storage drum, the shaft is provided with a drum support element. The weight of the drum together with the filament stored on it, is continuously measured with a mass measuring cell arranged in measurement connection with the shaft or the drum support element, the rotation of the drum is continuously measured with a rotation detector arranged in measurement connection with the shaft and the drum on the drum support element.
The invention further relates to a filament feeding unit for ensuring the supply of operational base material for 3D printers, the filament feeding unit has a stand and a shaft mechanically integrated with it, the shaft accommodates, holds and enables the rotation of a filament storage drum, the shaft is provided with a drum support element. The weight of the drum together with the filament stored on it, is continuously measured with a mass measuring cell arranged in measurement connection with the shaft or the drum support element, the rotation of the drum is continuously measured with a rotation detector arranged in measurement connection with the shaft and the drum on the drum support element.
Today, 3D printers are common tools that can be used to solve many tasks. In the case of these devices, the so-called filament, the base material of printing is fed to the printer from a feeding drum. These drums are usually standardized according to their size, weight and the base material, i.e., the thickness of the filament. The present solution does not affect the material of the filament, which is known in the art. According to the present invention the filament is stored in the form of a wire of a given thickness on a drum, from which the 3D printer itself pulls in the necessary raw material from the feeding unit.
Patent application No. US2017151715 (A1 ) proposes a solution that increases the efficiency of the printing process by using an anti-scanning additive. However, this does not allow the recognition of typical printing errors and the corresponding intervention.
In many cases, problems arise when the filament breaks or when the activation head of the 3D printer - where the molten material is emitted - becomes clogged. In these cases, the printing is interrupted and the product becomes scrap. According to the current state of the art, no measures have been taken to prevent this.
The aim of the present invention is to have an effect on the operation of the 3D printer in the event of a breakage and/or blockage, and to provide the operator with relevant information.
In its most general embodiment, the invention is a method according to the introductory paragraph where the output signals of the mass measuring cell and the rotation detector are fed into an evaluation circuit, whose intervening output and warning output are activated during operation of the 3D printer as follows: a) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell is constant and greater than a first given value, where the first given value is greater than the empty weight of the filament storage drum and the output signal of the rotation detector is zero, then the operation of the related 3D printer is stopped by activating the intervening output, and a "breakage" message is sent to the warning output; b) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell and the output signal of the rotation detector jump alternately between two values, then by activating the intervening output, the operation of the 3D printer is stopped and a "blockage" message is sent to the warning output; c) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell is constant at or below the first given value and the output signal of the rotation detector is zero, then the operation of the 3D printer is stopped by activating the intervening output and a "filament out" message is sent to the warning output. Furthermore, the shaft is formed tilted at an angle between 5 and 40 degrees relative to the vertical.
In its most general embodiment of the filament feeding unit according to the second paragraph of the preamble, the output signals of the mass measuring cell and the rotation detector are fed into an evaluation circuit, the evaluation circuit has an intervening output that interrupts the operation of a 3D printer, and a warning output connected to a display panel. Furthermore, the shaft is tilted at an angle between 5 and 40 degrees relative to the vertical.
In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the filament feeding unit according to the invention, and Figure 2 shows a possible design of a filament runout sensor according to the invention.
Figure 1 shows the filament feeding unit 1 according to the invention. Its base is formed by a stand 2, on which the unit serving the filament storage drum 3 is arranged. In it, the mass measuring cell 6 that continuously measures the weight of the filament storage drum 3 together with the filament stored on it is arranged in measuring connection with a shaft 4 or a drum support element 5, and a rotation detector 7 that continuously measures the rotation of the filament storage drum 3 is located on the shaft 4 and arranged in measuring connection with the filament storage drum 3 on the drum support element 5. Preferably, the drum support element 5 is mounted on bearings and designed in such a way that the standard filament drum can be fixedly placed on it in terms of rotation. This arrangement makes it possible to monitor the current state of the filament, thus making it possible to ensure economic operation through intervention.
In an advantageous embodiment the shaft 4 can be slightly inclined compared to the vertical which enables optimal unwinding of the filament. This inclination is preferably between 5- 40 degrees, advantageously between 10-20 degrees, compared to the vertical. Tilting of the shaft 4 is important for two reasons. Firstly, because of the minimal pre-tension of the filament. Secondly, if the product were to be used horizontally, there would be a risk of its falling off the holder during rotation.
In a further embodiment, a so-called a filament runout sensor is installed. This is a switch that can monitor filament breakage, in such a way that the switch is in an electrically open state when the filament passes through a closed tube, and the contact of the limit switch touches it until the filament - with a diameter of 1.75 mm, made of insulating material - passes through it. If the filament is broken or run out, the switch is electrically closed through its spring contact. In this way, we provide one more option to indicate breakage and runout and/or to interrupt the operation of the 3D printer.
The operating procedure of the filament feeding unit 1 according to the invention is explained in the following description.
The output signals of the mass measuring cell 6 and the rotation detector 7 are led to an evaluation circuit, the evaluation circuit has an intervening output that interrupts the operation of the 3D printer, and a warning output connected to a display panel. The weight of the filament storage drum 3, together with the filament stored on it, is continuously measured by a mass measuring cell 6 arranged in measurement connection with the shaft 4 or the drum support element 5, the rotation of the filament storage drum 3 is continuously measured with a rotation detector 7 arranged in measurement connection with the shaft 4 and the filament storage drum 3 on the drum support element 5. Preferably, the rotation detector 7 is an inductive rotation detector 7. The output signals of the mass measuring cell 6 and the rotation detector 7 are fed into an evaluation circuit, whose intervening output and warning output are activated during operation of the 3D printer as follows: a) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell 6 is constant and greater than a first given value E1 , where the first given value E1 is greater than the empty weight of the filament storage drum 3 and the output signal of the rotation detector 7 is zero, then the operation of the related 3D printer is stopped by activating the intervening output, and a "breakage" message is sent to the warning output; b) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell 6 and the output signal of the rotation detector 7 jump alternately between two values, then by activating the intervening output, the operation of the 3D printer is stopped and a "blockage" message is sent to the warning output; c) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell 6 is constant at or below the first given value E1 and the output signal of the rotation detector 7 is zero, then the operation of the 3D printer is stopped by activating the intervening output and a "filament out" message is sent to the warning output.
In another possible case: d) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell 6 is continuously decreasing below a second given value E2, where the second given value E2 is greater than the first given value E1 , and the output signal of the rotation detector 7 is not zero, then "filament will run out" message is sent to the warning output.
The first given value E1 and the second given value E2 can be easily determined from experience.
Preferably, the display panel is an LED panel that shows the possible error cases. They can be displayed by LEDs according to the messages. They can be placed on itself the filament feeding unit 1 , on the 3D printer, or somewhere else in its vicinity.
In the case of a further embodiment, the breakage or running out of the filament can be detected with an additional security-enhancing device. This is shown in Figure 2 through an example. Here, in the filament feeding unit 1 , there is a filament run-out sensor 8, which is arranged in a housing 10 having a closed tube section in which the filament 13 passes through and is provided with a switch 9. The switch 9 has a spring-loaded pre-stressed arm 12 protruding from it. During operation its end opposite to the switch 9 leans on the continuous filament 13 in an open part of the tube section - preferably provided around the middle portion of the tube section - and the switch 9 is in a first state, which can be either open or closed. In the absence of the filament 13, the switch 9 is in a second state opposite to the first state. Then the closed and open states are exchanged. Both cases can be used. The point is that it should also be connected to the intervening output that interrupts the operation of the 3D printer, so that without the presence of the filament 13, the operation of the 3D printer is stopped. Thus, stopping the printer and/or controlling the warning output is doubly assured.
In the case of the latter version, the switch 9 can be a known limit switch equipped with a roller 1 1 arranged at the opposite end of the spring-loaded pre-stressed arm 12 of the switch 9.
The advantage of the solution according to the present invention is that it makes the operation of a 3D printer more reliable and economical.

Claims

Claims
1 . Method for feeding filament base material to ensure the supply of operational base material for 3D printers, in the method a filament feeding unit (1 ) is used, having a stand (2) and a shaft (4) mechanically integrated with it, the shaft (4) accommodates, holds and enables the rotation of a filament storage drum (3), the shaft (4) is provided with a drum support element (5), the weight of the drum (3), together with the filament stored on it, is continuously measured with a mass measuring cell (6) arranged in measurement connection with the shaft (4) or the drum support element (5), the rotation of the drum (3) is continuously measured with a rotation detector (7) arranged in measurement connection with the shaft (4) and the drum (3) on the drum support element (5), characterized in that the output signals of the mass measuring cell (6) and the rotation detector (7) are fed into an evaluation circuit, whose intervening output and warning output are activated during operation of the 3D printer as follows: a) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell (6) is constant and greater than a first given value (E1 ), where the first given value (E1 ) is greater than the empty weight of the filament storage drum (3) and the output signal of the rotation detector (7) is zero, then the operation of the connected 3D printer is stopped by activating the intervening output, and a "breakage" message is sent to the warning output; b) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell (6) and the output signal of the rotation detector (7) jump alternately between two values, then by activating the intervening output, the operation of the 3D printer is stopped and a "blockage" message is sent to the warning output; c) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell (6) is constant at or below the first given value (E1 ) and the output signal of the rotation detector (7) is zero, then the operation of the 3D printer is stopped by activating the intervening output and a "filament out" message is sent to the warning output; furthermore, the shaft (4) is tilted at an angle between 5 and 40 degrees relative to the vertical.
2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that in a further case: d) if the output signal of the mass measuring cell (6) is continuously decreasing below a second given value (E2), where the second given value (E2) is greater than the first given value (E1 ), and the output signal of the rotation detector (7) is not zero, then "filament will run out" message is sent to the warning output.
3. Filament feeding unit (1 ) for ensuring the supply of operational base material for 3D printers, implementing the method according to claim 1 , the filament feeding unit (1 ) has a stand (2) and a shaft (4) mechanically integrated with it, the shaft (4) accommodates, holds and enables the rotation of a filament storage drum (3), the shaft (4) is provided with a drum support element (5), the weight of the drum (3), together with the filament stored on it, is continuously measured with a mass measuring cell (6) arranged in measurement connection with the shaft (4) or the drum support element (5), the rotation of the drum (3) is continuously measured with a rotation detector (7) arranged in measurement connection with the shaft (4) and the drum (3) on the drum support element (5), characterized in that the output signals of the mass measuring cell (6) and the rotation detector (7) are fed into an evaluation circuit, the evaluation circuit has an intervening output for stopping the operation of the 3D printer and a warning output connected to a display panel; furthermore, the shaft is tilted at an angle between 5 and 40 degrees relative to the vertical.
4. Filament feeding unit (1 ) according to claim 3 characterized in that the rotation detector (7) is an inductive rotation detector (7).
5. Filament feeding unit (1 ) according to claim 3 characterized in that the display panel is an LED panel.
6. Filament feeding unit (1 ) according to claim 3 characterized in that in the filament feeding unit (1 ) a filament run-out sensor (8) is placed, which is arranged in a housing (10) having a closed pipe section in which the filament (13) passes through and is provided with a switch (9), the switch (9) has a spring-loaded pre-stressed arm (12) protruding from it, its end opposite to the switch (9) leans on the continuous filament (13) in an open part of the pipe section, then the switch (9) is in a first state, which can be either open or closed, and in the absence of the filament (13), the switch (9) is in a second state, opposite to the first state.
7. Filament feeding unit (1 ) according to claim 3 characterized in that the shaft (4) is tilted at an angle between 10 and 20 degrees relative to the vertical.
8. Filament feeding unit (1 ) according to claim 6 characterized in that the switch (9) is a limit switch equipped with a roller (11 ) arranged at the opposite end of the spring-loaded prestressed arm (12) of the switch (9).
9. Filament feeding unit (1) according to claim 6 characterized in that the switch (9) is connected to an intervening output for stopping the operation of the 3D printer.
PCT/HU2022/050088 2021-12-20 2022-12-13 Method and filament feeding unit for ensuring base materials for operating 3d printers WO2023118910A1 (en)

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HU2100443A HUP2100443A1 (en) 2021-12-20 2021-12-20 Method and filament feeding unit for ensuring operating raw materials for 3d printers
HUP2100443 2021-12-20

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170151715A1 (en) 2014-07-17 2017-06-01 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Print method using a three dimensional (3d) printer to provide scanning protection for printed 3d objects
US20200269507A1 (en) * 2019-02-27 2020-08-27 Ohmnilabs, Inc. Automatic filament changer
JP2021075019A (en) * 2019-11-13 2021-05-20 株式会社リコー Modeling apparatus and modeling method

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170151715A1 (en) 2014-07-17 2017-06-01 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Print method using a three dimensional (3d) printer to provide scanning protection for printed 3d objects
US20200269507A1 (en) * 2019-02-27 2020-08-27 Ohmnilabs, Inc. Automatic filament changer
JP2021075019A (en) * 2019-11-13 2021-05-20 株式会社リコー Modeling apparatus and modeling method

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