48 patents in this list

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Thermal management has a major effect on printed objects' strength, durability, and functionality.

 

Correct heat dissipation eliminates warping and cracking, assures correct adhesion between layers, and lowers the likelihood of print failures.

This page examines effective techniques for 3d printer thermal management for ensuring 3D printing heat control is carried out optimally.

1. Energy Beam-Controlled Preheating for Consistent Quality in Additive Manufacturing

Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, 2023

Controlling the preheating of a build plate in additive manufacturing allows the production of high-quality parts with consistent properties. The preheating is carried out with an energy beam and involves controlling the power distribution over the build plate. This is done by measuring the temperature at the center and edges of the plate and adjusting the beam power to achieve a target temperature difference.

2. Adaptive Temperature Control System for Enhanced Quality in Additive Manufacturing

General Electric Company, 2023

Temperature control system for additive manufacturing to improve properties of printed parts. It involves fusing material with an energy source and then forging it. A detector measures an internal effect parameter at the forging location. A control module calculates the temperature at that location based on the parameter. If the temperature is outside a desired range, it adjusts the energy source and forging device to bring it into range.

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3. Thermally Decomposable Build Plate for Easy Release of 3D Printed Metal Parts

INDIUM CORPORATION, 2023

A thermally decomposable build plate for additive manufacturing that enables easy release of 3D printed metal parts without damaging the parts or build plate. The build plate is an open frame with a recessed section that is filled with a lower-temperature melting metal or alloy insert. After printing, the insert can be melted and drained to release the 3D printed part without mechanical cutting. The lower melting insert protects the build plate, allows separation without damage, and reuses the plate.

4. Variable Temperature Zone Control in 3D Printing for Polymeric Material Property Optimization

Align Technology, Inc., 2023

Additive manufacturing of polymeric materials with controlled properties using variable 3D printer temperature zones. The process involves selectively heating or cooling regions of a resin during polymerization to control the properties of the printed object. This enables the formation of multi-region objects with distinct physical characteristics from a single resin formulation. The ability to 3D print polymers with tunable properties could have applications in areas like customized orthodontics, where dental aligners can be made with different regions having tailored flexibility or stiffness.

5. Efficient Build Table Cooling Method in Additive Manufacturing

Sodick Co., Ltd., 2023

A method to control the cooling of a build table in an additive manufacturing apparatus to cool the build table to a desired temperature in an efficient manner. The method involves heating the build table to a predetermined set temperature and then adjusting the supply refrigerant temperature based on the set temperature. The refrigerant is circulated between the refrigerant circulation device and a cooler that cools the build table. Adjusting the refrigerant temperature based on the set temperature allows the build table to be cooled efficiently and precisely to avoid excessive cooling time or overheating issues.

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6. Sequential NIR Radiation Heating Method for Stress Reduction in 3D Metal Printing

Value & Intellectual Properties Management GMBH, 2023

3D metal printing method that uses sequential near-infrared (NIR) radiation heating to reduce stress and cracking when locally melting and fusing metal powder layers. The method involves preheating and post-heating specific areas of each powder layer using NIR radiation before and after selective melting to join layers. This allows localized control of temperatures to minimize thermal stresses.

7. Thermographic Monitoring for Optimized Laser Scanning in Selective Laser Melting 3D Printing

Concept Laser GmbH, 2023

Selective laser melting (SLM) 3D printing method that uses thermographic monitoring to optimize laser scanning. The method involves acquiring thermographic data from previous layers and then using that data to guide the laser scanning of the current layer to minimize temperature gradients and avoid overheating. This improves quality by reducing defects like cracking and burrs. The thermographic data can be acquired using a movable detector that scans the layer after irradiation.

8. LCD Panel Cooling Apparatus for Enhanced 3D Printing Quality

SINDOH CO., LTD., 2023

An apparatus for cooling an LCD panel in a 3D printer to improve print quality. The cooling is achieved by installing a sealed case between the light source and LCD panel, with a cooling module that cools the air inside the case. This prevents the LCD panel from overheating and blackening during printing, which can degrade image quality.

9. Additive Manufacturing of Heat Exchangers with Integrated Stress Management

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, 2023

A heat exchanger that leverages additive manufacturing (AM) to improve performance and manufacturability compared to conventional heat exchangers. The heat exchanger is built using layer-by-layer AM, such as powder bed fusion. The AM process allows complex geometries with internal passages that are difficult or impossible to produce with conventional manufacturing. The heat exchanger has an annular body with an integrated heat exchanger core. It also has an axially extending spar and connection region that expands and contracts with the core. This prevents stress and strain concentration that could lead to failure. The manufacturing process involves forming annular layers, then growing the body and core upwards from one end. This allows trapped powder to be removed from the other end.

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10. Magnetohydrodynamic Pump Coil Pulsing for Temperature Consistency in Metal Jetting 3D Printing

XEROX CORPORATION, 2023

Metal jetting using a 3D printer to create a 3D part from liquid metal drops. It involves pulsing the printer's magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pump coil at sub-threshold levels that provide supplemental induction heating to the pump without ejecting drops. This helps maintain consistent drop temperatures during warm-up, standby, and other non-printing modes.

11. Flexible Manifold Heat Exchanger for Reduced Thermal Stress in 3D Printing

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, 2023

A plate-fin heat exchanger with flexible manifold that enhances thermal robustness and reliability by reducing thermal stresses compared to conventional exchangers. The exchanger has a flexible manifold with multiple individual layers joined to the heat exchanger core layers. The compliant flexible manifold allows thermal expansion and contraction without creating significant stress concentrations. It is metallurgically joined to the core layers, enabling thermal expansion continuity. This reduces thermal stress compared to rigid manifolds bolted or welded to the core. The flexible manifold has ports at each end to connect fluids and vanes dividing layers.

12. Heat-Aware Toolpath Generation for Minimized Deformation in 3D Printing

Siemens Industry Software Inc., 2023

Heat-aware toolpath generation for 3D printing of physical objects. The toolpath is generated with criteria that optimize the path to minimize heat accumulation and deformation during the print. The toolpath design accounts for factors like the amount of heat generated in a zone, the proximity to previously printed zones, and the time between printing zones to strategically plan the order and placement of printed paths. This reduces heat-related deformations and improves the quality of printed objects.

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13. Customized Medical Implant Manufacturing with Temperature-Controlled 3D Printing

Curiteva, Inc., 2023

3D printing process to create customized medical implants like spinal implants. The process uses a 3D printer with heated components to maintain the printing material at a specific temperature. The printer extrudes layers of a polymer material to build the implant. The ability to adjust printing parameters like temperature, speed, and porosity allows customizing implants for each patient.

14. Stabilized PAEK Powder for Recyclable and Efficient 3D Printing Thermal Management

Arkema France, 2023

Recyclable PAEK powder for 3D printing with stable properties over multiple runs. It is obtained by thermally treating PAEK powder between 260-290C to stabilize the melting temperature. The powder can be reused in successive 3D printing runs without degradation. This allows economical recycling of unused powder.

15. Advanced Resin Composition for Improved Thermal Management in 3D Printing

Konica Minolta, Inc., 2023

Resin composition for 3D printing that has improved properties suitable for general purpose 3D printers. The composition contains a thermoplastic resin with a polar group like aromatic polycarbonate and a heterocyclic compound with multiple heteroatoms like a condensed ring compound containing N, O, or S at para positions. The composition exhibits different behavior in elastic strength above and below its glass transition temperature, with increased modulus below Tg and reduced viscoelasticity above Tg. This allows lower temperature 3D printing while still maintaining strength and heat resistance when formed into molded parts. It also reduces gas generation during molding compared to anti-plasticizers.

16. 3D Printing Method for Producing Ablative Thermal Management Components

Rolls-Royce Corporation, 2023

A 3D printing method to produce thermal management components like heat shields that can ablate when exposed to high energy levels. The technique involves using filament deposition and selectively removing a sacrificial binder from the coating, then sintering the remaining powder to form the thermal coating. The coating is designed to ablate when absorbing energy to protect the underlying substrate from heat.

17. Innovative Use of Thermal Breaks for Enhanced Thermal Management in Selective Laser Sintering 3D Printing

Formlabs, Inc., 2023

3D printing technique using thermal breaks to prevent overheating and material degradation in selective laser sintering of powdered materials. The technique involves fabricating 3D objects in a chamber with breaks or regions of lower thermal conductivity. This allows heating the top surface of the powder to the sintering temperature while keeping the lower regions cooler to avoid damaging previously sintered material. The breaks can be created using materials with lower thermal conductivity or insulating layers.

18. Dual-Layer Heat Sink Design for Enhanced Heat Dissipation in Immersion Cooling Systems

AMULAIRE THERMAL TECHNOLOGY, INC., 2023

Heat dissipation structure for immersion cooling of electronics. It has a solid lower heat sink and an upper porous heat sink. The lower heat sink provides high thermal conductivity. The upper porous heat sink increases contact area with the coolant and generates more vapor bubbles. The vapor bubbles enhance boiling heat transfer. The combination provides efficient heat dissipation in immersion cooling systems.

19. Nozzle Device with Integrated Humidifier for Safe Direct 3D Printing on Human Tissue

BIOFRIENDS INC., 2023

Nozzle device for 3D printers that allows rapid cooling of the molten filament output from the nozzle to enable direct printing of scaffolds on a patient's body without risk of burns or tissue damage. It adds a humidifier that sprays water vapor onto the molten filament. The water vapor rapidly cools the filament upon contact.

20. Additive Manufacturing of Microstructured Articles with Tailored Thermal Expansion Properties

Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, 2023

Manufacturing by additive manufacturing a microstructured article with tailored expansion/contraction properties upon temperature change. The article has repeating microstructures with two portions that contact each other. The first portion has a property that can restrain or enhance the second portion's matching property. For example, metals with different thermal expansion coefficients. The tailored contact causes the article to expand, contract, or remain unchanged when heated. Applications include adjustable flow control valves, prosthetics, casts, and aircraft tabs.

21. Dual Radiation Source Method for Enhanced Thermal Management in Digital Lithography 3D Printing

22. Adaptive Temperature Regulation Technique for Enhancing 3D Printing Quality

23. Toolpath Optimization for Improved Thermal Management in 3D Printing

24. Heated Auger Screw System for Pre-Heating Powder in 3D Printing

25. Selective Temperature Control in Resin-Based 3D Printing for Enhanced Print Quality

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A wide range of solutions to thermal challenges are covered by the patents displayed here, including creative build plates that make part removal easier, temperature control systems that adjust, and preheating techniques that guarantee consistent quality. With increased accuracy and suitability for complex applications, these advancements will allow 3D printing to produce products with a wider variety of attributes