• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A process for support material removal for 3D printed parts wherein the part is placed in a media filled tank and support removal is optimized in a multi-parameter system through an artificial intelligence process which may include, but is not limited to, the use of historical data, parametric testing data, normal support removal data, and outputs from other support removal AI models to generate optimally efficient use of each parameter in terms of pulse repetition interval (PRI) and cycle time as defined by pulse width (PW). The input parameters may include heat, circulation, ultrasound and chemical reaction, which are used in sequence and/or in parallel, to optimize efficiency of support removal. Sequentially and/or in parallel, heat, pump circulation and ultrasound may vary in application or intensity. Selection of means of agitation depends on monitored feedback from the support removal tank and application of a statistically dynamic rule based system (SDRBS).
    公开号:ES2713299A2
    申请号:ES201990030
    申请日:2017-10-10
    公开日:2019-05-20
    发明作者:Daniel Joshua Hutchinson
    申请人:PostProcess Technologies Inc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001]
    [0002] Self-modifying agitation procedure and apparatus to eliminate the support in additive manufacturing and 3D printed material
    [0003]
    [0004] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUEST
    [0005]
    [0006] The present application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 406,187, filed October 10, 2016, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and which follows Figure 8.
    [0007]
    [0008] FIELD OF THE INVENTION
    [0009]
    [0010] The present invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for removing support material from unfinished manufactured parts, and, more specifically, to a method and apparatus for optimizing the removal process of support material for unfinished manufactured parts that are they prepare using additive manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing.
    [0011]
    [0012] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    [0013]
    [0014] An unfinished manufactured part may include parts that are necessary for manufacturing or are a necessary byproduct of the manufacturing process, but which are ultimately not desired in the finished form of the part. In the present specification said parts are referred to as "support material" or simply "support." In a conventional support removal machine, an unfinished 3D printed part may be subjected to a process for removing unwanted support material, and In this process, the part is placed in a tank filled with liquid, in which mechanical stirring, abrasion and / or heating of the part takes place in order to remove the support material. Mechanical can be produced by moving the liquid (for example, by a pump) and / or by using ultrasound In other of these procedures, the part is subjected to pressure from a liquid spray and / or is treated. with chemical solvents to dissolve the support material, and thus leave the finished form of the piece. In some elimination procedures, the part is placed in a chamber, and a pump is used to circulate fluid through the chamber in order to mechanically stir the part, while the heat of a heat source increases the temperature of the fluid . Under these conditions the support material can be removed by thermal, chemical, mechanical means or by a combination of two or more of these general procedures.
    [0015]
    [0016] Traditional support removal methods fail to optimize support removal rates so as to maximize performance in relation to a particular manufactured part. The procedures used to control the removal of support are complex and can be interrelated, even when applied in sequence. In addition, compromises can often be reached between getting a quick removal of the support and possible damage to the part. The elimination of support has generally been limited to the use of one or two elimination procedures each time, or is used in systems in which each elimination process may have separate control systems that can be independently evaluated and adjusted periodically in controlled scenarios. . The interrelation between elimination procedures, such as agitation, temperature, chemical and fluid flow, has largely been ignored despite the fact that one type of disposal procedure can facilitate or hinder another removal procedure.
    [0017]
    [0018] In addition, unfinished manufactured parts are produced in numerous sizes, shapes and materials. Some disposal procedures are better adapted than others, depending on the size, shape and material in question.
    [0019]
    [0020] Existing machines and methods for the removal of support are prone to produce damage to the part due to the excess use of a particular removal process such as heat, chemical treatment or abrasion. For example, excessive heat can cause weakening of the delicate parts of a piece, which can eventually cause damage to the piece. Also, the use of ultrasonic agitation can produce the heating of the piece without a corresponding temperature increase of the medium in the which the piece resides. The result can be an unexpected and unwanted increase in the temperature of the piece, which causes damage to the delicate parts of the piece. In sum, adverse impacts can occur in numerous procedures that interact with each other, to thereby produce a suboptimal application of said procedures for a particular part.
    [0021]
    [0022] The suboptimal application of any procedure can lead to an inefficient use of energy and / or time. For example, the excessive use of ultrasonic agitation can produce excessive heat generation and may require unproductive time while the system is cooled to a more optimal temperature, which takes time and thus causes a less efficient procedure. The inefficiencies can manifest themselves in the form of an excessive duration to completely eliminate the support material of the piece, and / or excessive elimination of material from the piece and / or damage the surface finish of the piece. These losses of efficiency increase the operating costs.
    [0023]
    [0024] Another example of inefficiency is the suboptimal application of agitation, which can damage the piece or lead to a damaged surface finish of the piece. If the intensity of the agitation is too high, or if agitation is effected for an excessively long time, the support material can be completely removed, but the surface of the part can be eroded to an undesirable extent. The resulting parts can be unacceptable, which leads to having to discard the piece and start over.
    [0025]
    [0026] The combination of the problems that arise from the use of conventional machines for the elimination of the support is an inability to precisely control the elimination procedures. Often, conventional machines provide the user with the ability simply to apply or not to apply a particular method, such as temperature, chemical pH or agitation, which are effectively summed up to provide an "active / inactive switch." For example, When support material is removed using agitation, a circulating pump can usually be set to 100% power or 0% power.If the user's choice is limited to only 100% or 0%, the result can be inability to optimize the procedure, and an increase in the potential for damage to the piece.
    [0027] The multiple support removal procedures that operate simultaneously on a given machine could produce greater efficiency. However, traditional procedures for handling multiple types of support removal procedures are currently limited to (a) a random application of procedures, (b) a manual application of procedures and (c) a temporal sequence of various procedures. In most cases, the procedures are activated based on predetermined criteria, established protocols, sequential procedures, time-based approaches, the operator's criteria or combinations thereof, and produce the indiscriminate elimination of support material, and they do not adequately take into account the degree to which the support material of an unfinished part should be removed. For example, a finishing shop that uses only time-based procedures will find that such procedures are highly inefficient due to the wide variety of parts and materials that can be used in a particular machine. For example, a time-based procedure could easily dissolve an entire part if the execution time did not adjust properly, or if some other parameter was set too aggressively for the particular part.
    [0028]
    [0029] Operators of media removal machines face the difficult task of controlling process parameters that have non-linear relationships, some of which have been indicated above, while maintaining the ability to remove support material at the appropriate time . As the greatest of these challenges is the fact that different parts can react differently to the same conditions of the procedure. Simultaneously optimizing calorific performance, ultrasonic agitation, pH, turning speed of the piece or other aspects is a task of enormous complexity, and it may be unrealistic to think that an operator can do it manually. In addition, industrial demands may impose additional restrictions that impose significant restrictions on the operating conditions for the media removal machines and their operators.
    [0030]
    [0031] To increase efficiency, the media removal machines can be subject to rules formulated from the operators' experiences, design data, general scientific principles and periodic tests. However, these rules alone can not accommodate the diverse set of operating conditions that operators can encounter in their daily work. In addition, systems based on parameters that vary with time or randomly can not offer the best options alone due to the complexity of the individual pieces and the agitation procedures.
    [0032]
    [0033] Thus, the need for a method and an apparatus for automatically removing the support material of the pieces has already been perceived, whether they are prepared from traditional techniques or additive manufacturing, and to optimize the process of elimination of material from support as the procedure proceeds at defined time intervals by modifying certain parameters of the procedure.
    [0034]
    [0035] BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    [0036]
    [0037] The present invention can be contemplated as a method for removing unwanted material from an unfinished part manufactured. Said method may include features to optimize the operation of a support removal machine having a plurality of removal procedures. In said method, an operation model can be generated and used to control the operation of the support removal machine. The model may be provided with a plurality of input parameters associated with the operation of the support removal machine, and using these input parameters, the model may generate one or more output parameters. Each output parameter can be associated with a target of the support removal machine. The procedure may be carried out in a manner that identifies one or more consecutive increments of time, and during each increment of time take one or more decisions seeking to achieve one or more of the desired objectives. At least one of the decisions is associated with at least one discrete operating variable corresponding to the support elimination machine and based on the model. The support removal machine can be operated according to the decisions.
    [0038] For example, in a method of this type which is in accordance with the invention, a 3D printed piece having support material can be placed in a tank with a liquid detergent. The initial parameters in the tank, including but not limited to temperature and pH, can be characterized and used to determine the amount and type of energy that should be applied to the piece in order to remove the support material. The initial parameters for the support elimination machine can be based on operator experiences, static design data, general thermal principles and / or periodic tests. For example, a solid or dense object may require an initial warm-up time higher than a hollow object. Initial adjustments can be predicted based on previous experience with similar objects and on the thermal principles known to the operator, so that the operator can be a person or a computer program.
    [0039]
    [0040] In some embodiments of the invention, the initial parameters of the method, such as a temperature around a predicted initial temperature setting, can be selected by a user and the effects on the tank can be measured over a time interval for determine an optimal value for a complete procedure.
    [0041]
    [0042] Once a piece having a support removal structure is placed in the tank, a pump can be used to cause the medium (eg, a liquid) to flow through the tank. The flow of the medium can cause one or more pieces in the middle to rotate and / or maintain a general position within the tank, and after a period of time, measurements of the piece can be made. Such measures may include the amount of support material removed, or the amount of support material left to be removed. Sensors mounted on or near the tank can be used to obtain such measurements. In response to these measures, the parameters of the elimination process can be modified and / or adjusted to achieve a desired result. After performing a plurality of said measurements, the particular series of operating parameters performed by the support removal machine can be optimized for a particular part, and said system can provide better predictions that will achieve a more efficient removal of support in the future, not only for that particular piece, but also for other pieces similar to it. When acting asl, the initial predictions of the parameters operations can be performed more accurately, and subsequent alterations in the procedure and / or adjustments in the parameters can be minor.
    [0043]
    [0044] Depending on the characteristics of a particular part, a preferred agitation method may be used, such as chemical or thermal degradation of the support material. However, when the application of a preferred process becomes suboptimal, an alternative agitation procedure may be activated during a period of inactivity for a preferred process. The alternative agitation method is determined after a defined time interval if said alternative procedure would increase the efficiency of the process. After the inactivity period for a preferred process, the support elimination system of the present invention can return to the preferred process until an upper limit of a design parameter is reached again, such as the temperature, at which time will deactivate the preferred procedure again during a period of inactivity. If a design parameter exceeds an upper limit, then the procedure will become suboptimal. The support removal machine has sensors that can include temperature and / or pH sensors to receive feedback and alternatively deactivate different agitation methods.
    [0045]
    [0046] To limit the damage to the part, each agitation process is subjected to surveillance in order to maximize the removal of support while leaving the piece intact without support material. With particular attention to 3D printed plastic parts, it is essential to monitor each agitation medium to limit the increase in temperature of the piece since the plastic materials can deform when the temperature becomes too high. Unlike existing support removal systems, a variety of agitation means in sequence or in parallel are employed in the present invention depending on the feedbacks of an agitation algorithm (AGA). The process of the present invention uses heat, pumping, ultrasound and chemical means to improve the removal of support. The ultrasonic agitation causes cavitation of the detergents in the immediate vicinity of the support material while the chemical reactions and pumping can work synergistically to promote the removal of support material.
    [0047] In addition, the present invention includes in a broad sense a method of removing one-piece support material, which includes placing a piece with support material inside a chamber, the chamber having a means disposed therein, the adjustment of a set of first parameters of the medium during a first time interval, the measurement of a first effect of the medium having the first parameters imparted to the support material during the first time interval before the end of the first time interval by means of a first sensor operatively arranged to view the piece inside the chamber, the analysis of the measurements of the first sensor, the determination of a set of second parameters of the medium during a second time interval, the adjustment of the medium to the second parameters during the second time interval, the repetition of the procedure during a plurality of consecutive time intervals until a time of execution for the procedure and the removal of the piece from said chamber after the execution time for the procedure has been reached.
    [0048]
    [0049] On the other hand, the present description describes in an extensive sense an apparatus for the removal of support material, which includes a camera operatively arranged to receive a piece having a support material, a means placed inside the camera, so that the means comprises the piece, a temperature control unit arranged to vary the temperature of the medium inside the chamber, a stirrer arranged to stir the medium inside the chamber, a pump operatively arranged to circulate the medium inside the chamber, a first sensor operatively arranged to detect a first set of parameters of the medium and a control unit connected in communication with the first sensor, in which during operation of the apparatus, the first sensor transmits the first set of parameters to the control unit, the control unit analyzes the first set of parameters to determine a second set of parameters of the medium, sending the control unit the second set of parameters to the temperature control unit, the pump and the agitator.
    [0050]
    [0051] Also, the present description describes in a broad sense a method of eliminating support material of a piece, which includes the determination of a first set of parameters of a medium arranged inside a camera, the submission of a piece with support material to the medium having the first set of parameters during a first time interval, the determination of a second set of parameters of the medium before the end of the first time interval, the subjection of the piece with support material to the medium having the second set of parameters during a second time interval, the second time interval being shorter than the first time interval, the repetition of the procedure during a plurality of consecutive time intervals until an execution time has been reached for the process and the elimination of the media piece after the execution time for the process has been reached.
    [0052]
    [0053] A main object of the present invention is to provide an optimization system for support removal, procedure, and an apparatus that uses calculations based on historical and real-time operational data acquired from the support elimination control systems.
    [0054]
    [0055] In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a support removal optimization system and a method that optimally determines when and which support elimination agitation component should be selected and signaled for activation.
    [0056]
    [0057] On the other hand, another object of the present invention is to provide a method for optimizing the operation of a support elimination machine in which one or more decisions are determined during at least one consecutive time increment, in which at least one of The decisions are associated with a discrete variable for the operation of a support elimination agitation component.
    [0058]
    [0059] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent through the review of the following detailed description, in view of the drawings and appended claims.
    [0060]
    [0061] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0062]
    [0063]
    [0064] The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be described more fully in the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which:
    [0065]
    [0066] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for removing support material;
    [0067]
    [0068] Figure 2 is a side view of the support material removal apparatus shown in Figure 1;
    [0069]
    [0070] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of the support material removal apparatus taken generally along line 3A-3A in Figure 2;
    [0071]
    [0072] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of the support material removal apparatus taken generally along line 3B-3B in Figure 2;
    [0073]
    [0074] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an internal chamber disposed within the support material removal apparatus shown in Figure 3A;
    [0075]
    [0076] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a general overview of the general operation of a support material removal process according to the present invention;
    [0077]
    [0078] Figure 6 is a flow chart describing the optimization of the removal process of support material according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Y,
    [0079]
    [0080] Figure 7 is a flowchart describing the optimization of the removal process of support material according to another embodiment of the present invention.
    [0081]
    [0082] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
    [0083]
    [0084] To begin with, it should be noted that equal reference numbers in different views of drawings identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the aspects described.
    [0085]
    [0086] Furthermore, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to the methodology, materials, or particular modifications described and, thus, the invention may vary from what is described herein. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is intended to describe particular aspects.
    [0087]
    [0088] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those skilled in the art to which the present invention is directed. It should be understood that any method, device or material similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the method and apparatus.
    [0089]
    [0090] In addition, as used herein, "and / or" are applied to a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions collected may be included or produced. For example, it should be understood that a device comprising a first element, a second element and / or a third element is any of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element
    [0091]
    [0092] In addition, as used herein, "optimization" should be understood as an act, procedure or methodology of fabrication of something (such as a design, system or decision) as fully as possible, functionally or as effectively as possible. For example, an optimal procedure will achieve the best possible results of the procedure within the ranges of parameters in which the procedure can work. Furthermore, as used herein, "determination" should be understood as the act of receiving information from a sensor and executing an algorithm using that information to produce an output, for example, by means of a computer that is programmed according to this algorithm.
    [0093]
    [0094] Referring to a continuation to the figures, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the support material removing apparatus 100. The support material removing apparatus 100 includes in a broad sense a camera section 102, a unit section of control 104, a control input screen 106, access doors 108A, 108B and 108C and a cover 110. Inside the camera section 102 is the camera 120 (shown in Figure 3A). Within the control unit section 104 is the control unit 140. The control input screen 106 may be positioned so that a user can enter certain operating parameters that will be applied by the apparatus 100.
    [0095]
    [0096] Figures 3A and 3B show that the camera 120 can be disposed within the camera section 102, and that within the camera section 102 there can be a filter 122, a pump 124, pressure sensors 130, part sensor 136, unit cooling 138, ultrasonic transducer 142 (shown in Figure 3B), heating unit 150 (shown in Figure 4) and temperature sensor 152. Means 154 may be operatively arranged within chamber 120. Means 154 may be a fluid or a plurality of abrasive bodies, or a combination thereof. The pump 124 may be connected to the chamber 120 by means of conduits 126, which are fixed to the chamber 120 in positions around the perimeter of the chamber 120. Said arrangement and with an appropriate orientation of the conduits 126 with respect to the chamber 120 can be made to move the medium 154 from a vortex inside the chamber 120. This vortex allows a uniform and complete mixing of the parts 160 having support material 162 to be removed. It is desirable to have the pieces 160 uniformly and completely mixed with the medium to ensure uniform removal of the support material and / or a surface finish. The part sensor 136 may be operatively arranged within the chamber section 102 and may be capable of tracking the effective means 154 in the part 160 which includes tracking the support material 162. For example, the part sensor 136 it can be used to track the amount of support material 162 that has been removed during a specific time interval. The part sensor 136 can be an optical, infrared, thermal or acoustic sensor, which can detect the speed of deterioration of the part 160 and
    [0097]
    [0098]
    [0099] the support material 162. The cooling unit 138 can be any suitable cooling device, and can include a fan. The cooling unit 138 and the heating unit 150 may be used to cool or heat the medium 154 within the chamber 120 during operation of the apparatus 100. The pressure sensors 130 may be disposed within the chamber section 102 (e.g. , operatively connected to the conduits 126 as shown in Figure 3A) to detect the pressure of the medium 154 in the discharge of the pump 124.
    [0100]
    [0101] Arranged in the control unit section 104 of the apparatus 100 may be the control input screen 106, the control unit 140 and the ultrasonic wave generators 132. The control input screen 106 may be connected in communication with the control unit. control 140 by means of the cable 141. The control unit 140 can be connected in communication with the pump 124, the pressure sensors 130, the parts sensor 136, the cooling unit 138, the heating unit 150, the generators of ultrasonic waves 132 and the temperature sensor 152.
    [0102]
    [0103] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of the support material removal apparatus 100 taken generally along the line 3B-3B in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3B, the ultrasonic transducer 142 can be mounted and Orient with respect to the chamber 120 in order to agitate the medium 154. It should be noted that other types of agitators may be used in order to suitably stir the medium 154. After the chamber 120 there is an overflow chamber 148 (shown in FIG. Figure 3B). The overflow chamber 148 is arranged to allow the medium 154 to flow from the chamber 120 but prevent the part 160 from leaving the chamber 120. The medium 154 flows over the overflow 146 in the overflow chamber 148. As the medium 154 flows over the overflow 146, the medium passes through a filter screen 144, which filters the larger pieces of the part 160 or the support material 162 that may have been broken during the support removal process. From the overflow chamber 148, the medium flows to the suction side of the pump 124.
    [0104]
    [0105] Figure 4 is a perspective view of camera 120. The heating unit 150 can be fixed to the camera 120. The temperature sensor 152 can be disposed behind the heating unit 150 and may also be attached to the chamber 120. The chamber 120 includes an opening 121 that allows an operator to place parts in the chamber 120. The opening 121 can be accessed by lifting the lid 110 (shown in Figure 1) of the camera section 102.
    [0106]
    [0107] Figure 5 is a flow chart describing in general the operation of a process for removing support material. In said process, a piece 160 is placed 200 inside the chamber 120. The piece can be prepared using traditional manufacturing techniques, such as casting, forging or injection molding, or it can be prepared using additive manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing. The part 160 generally comprises unwanted material, which is referred to herein as support material 162, which is often a manufacturing by-product, such as a forging burr or burrs from the machining of the part 160. the part 160 is placed inside the chamber 120, the pump 124 can be activated 202 to initiate the flow of the medium 154 around the part 160. Due to the activation 202 of the pump 124, the part 160 rotates 204 in the chamber 120. The vortex that can be formed in the medium 154 as a consequence of the activation 202 of the pump 124 rotates the piece 160 within the medium 154 to achieve the surface cover of the piece 160. As the piece 160 rotates in the chamber 124, the ultrasonic transducer 142 may be activated 206. Activation 206 of the ultrasonic transducer 142 agitates the medium 154 surrounding the part 160 in order to increase the removal rate of support material 162 from the part 160. While the gitation of the medium 154, the part 160 continues to rotate inside the chamber 120 to ensure a complete piece coverage of the part 160 by the means 154. After the process removes the unwanted support material 162, the finished part 160 is remove 210 from camera 120.
    [0108]
    [0109] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing a realization of a procedure for removing the support material from an unfinished part manufactured. A user places a piece in the chamber 120 filled with a medium 154. In step 300, the user chooses certain parameters of the complete procedure, such as the execution time, the temperature and the intensity level. The intensity level is a factor that is related to how aggressively the support material 162 is removed from the piece 160. When selecting the
    [0110]
    [0111]
    [0112] intensity level, the corresponding preselected settings are automatically selected for the elimination procedures such as the ultrasonic agitation level and / or the pump pressure, and / or the temperature of the medium 154. Using the introduced parameters of step 300, the control unit 140 will then provide these parameters to the algorithm step 301. In step 301, an algorithm determines how quickly the removal procedures will increase to achieve the selected parameters. Since the ultrasonic agitation, the pump pressure, the pH of the medium and the temperature all have an effect on the part 160, the interaction of each parameter with the others can be compensated to make the procedure more predictable knowing the magnitude with which each parameter can influence the others when that parameter is modified. Using the settings of step 300, the algorithm step 301 determines the starting points for each elimination procedure, for example the level of agitation, the pump pressure, the temperature and the time during which each procedure will be performed. elimination in a particular scenario. Each parameter will be monitored individually and in parallel with the others during defined time intervals. For example, step 302 includes adjusting the temperature with the intensity level determined by the algorithm step 301. Step 304 includes executing the procedure at the set temperature of step 302 for a first defined time interval. Also, in step 306 the temperature is verified.
    [0113]
    [0114] Similarly, step 312 includes adjusting the ultrasonic agitation at the level of algorithm step 301. Step 314 includes executing the procedure at the adjusted agitation level of step 312 during the first defined time interval. Also, in step 316 the level of agitation is checked.
    [0115]
    [0116] Step 322 includes adjusting the pump pressure to the level of the algorithm stage 361. Step 324 includes executing the procedure at the set pump pressure of step 324 during the first predefined time interval. Also, in step 326, the discharge pressure of the pump is checked.
    [0117]
    [0118] In addition, step 332 includes adjusting the pH of the medium to the level of the algorithm step 301. Step 334 includes the execution of the procedure at the pH level of the medium
    [0119]
    [0120]
    [0121] adjusted from step 332 during a first defined time interval. Also, in step 336 the pH of the medium is checked.
    [0122]
    [0123] Once verified 306, 316, 326, 336, the values of temperature, agitation level, pump discharge pressure and pH of the medium can be forwarded to the algorithm step 301, in which a second set of parameters can be determined for the temperature, the level of agitation, the pressure of the pump and the pH. Using the second set of parameters, the procedure is executed again during a second defined time interval. It should be noted that the second time interval may be shorter than the first time interval. The procedure may be executed through a plurality of time intervals before the procedure is completed. In this way, the procedure is iterative, which works to optimize the support elimination procedure in a specified time duration. This procedure globally preserves the parameters near a desired level in each iteration of the procedure. In a preferred embodiment, the algorithm step 301 uses a parameter database that has been formulated from a plurality of process executions in other parts using the same apparatus and method. The analysis of these parameters can allow the optimization of the procedure with respect to the procedure of a particular piece.
    [0124]
    [0125] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of a removal process of support material. This embodiment of the removal process of support material is similar to the first embodiment of the method shown in Figure 6, with the proviso that additional step 350 is included. Step 350 is the scanning of the part inside the machine while the support material is being removed. Said scan can be used to determine (a) the amount of support material removed from the piece, (b) the amount of support material remaining in the piece, or (c) both, (a) and (b). This information, or measure, may be sent to the algorithm stage 301 to which data is used to determine the levels of parameters for the procedure. By evaluating the measurement of step 350, the procedure may be adapted depending on the effectiveness of the procedure during one or more previous time intervals. Furthermore, it should also be noted that step 350 may be a real-time measurement of the support material in the part, or an evaluation of a model
    [0126]
    [0127]
    [0128] of computer-aided design (CAD) of the piece. The information obtained by scanning the piece 350 can be used by the algorithm in step 301 to more efficiently perform a determination of the parameters selected for the procedure.
    [0129]
    [0130] Exemplary embodiments are described in the preceding description. The descriptive memory and the drawings should be viewed accordingly in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.
    [0131]
    [0132] It will be noted that various aspects of the invention described above and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, can be desirably combined in many other different systems or applications. Subsequently, various alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements thereto may be made before not foreseen or anticipated by the experts in the matter who also intend to be comprised by the following claims.
    [0133]
    [0134] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
    [0135]
    [0136] 100 support material elimination apparatus
    [0137] 102 section of camera
    [0138] 104 control unit section
    [0139] 106 control input screen
    [0140] 108A access door
    [0141] 108B access door
    [0142] 108C access door
    [0143] 110 top
    [0144] 120 camera
    [0145] 121 opening
    [0146] 122 filter
    [0147] 124 pump
    [0148] 126 conduits
    [0149] 130 pressure sensor
    [0150] 132 ultrasonic generator
    [0151]
    [0152]
    [0153] 136 sensor
    [0154] 138 cooling unit
    [0155] 142 ultrasonic transducer
    [0156] 144 filter sieve
    [0157] 146 overflow
    [0158] 148 overflow chamber
    [0159] 150 heating unit
    [0160] 152 temperature sensor
    [0161] 154 average
    [0162] 160 piece
    [0163] 162 support material
    [0164] 200 stage of placement
    [0165] 202 activation stage
    [0166] 204 stage of rotation
    [0167] 206 stage of agitation
    [0168] 210 elimination stage
    [0169] 300 initial parameter introduction stage 301 algorithm stage
    [0170] 302 temperature adjustment stage
    [0171] 304 stage of execution of the procedure
    [0172] 306 stage of temperature check 312 stage of adjustment of the level of agitation
    [0173] 314 stage of execution of the procedure
    [0174] 316 step of checking the level of agitation 322 step of adjusting the pressure of the pump 324 stage of execution of the procedure
    [0175] 326 Pump Pressure Testing Stage 332 pH Adjustment Stage / Liquid Level
    [0176] 334 stage of execution of the procedure
    [0177] 336 stage of pH check / liquid level 350 scanning stage
    [0178]
    [0179]
    [0180]
    [0181] Self-modifying procedure for elimination of rotational support structure in 3D printed parts
    [0182]
    [0183] FIELD
    [0184]
    [0185] The present invention relates generally to the operation of a machine and a support elimination system for 3D printed parts, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for optimizing the operation of a support elimination machine for 3D printed parts. using artificial intelligence techniques.
    [0186]
    [0187] BACKGROUND
    [0188]
    [0189] In a conventional support elimination unit, a 3D printed part can be placed in a liquid-filled tank for mechanical agitation and heating, subjected to pressure from a liquid spray or treated with chemical solvents to dissolve the support material, leaving only the piece completed. A pump can be connected to the tank to create liquid flow, aspiration and pressure, which thereby rotates or otherwise mechanically agitates the piece, while the heat from a heat source increases the temperature of the fluid surrounding the piece to Remove the support material. The support material can be fused, or otherwise removed, leaving only the piece as a remainder. A liquid spray at high pressure has also been used to eliminate the support elimination of the piece. In the conventional machines the elimination of support has been implemented modifying the parameters of the machine that include heat, movement of the fluid, ultrasounds and chemical dissolution.
    [0190]
    [0191] The elimination of support has generally been limited to the use of a medium of support elimination at one time or has been used in systems in which each type of support elimination may have separate control systems that can be evaluated and adjusted periodically with controlled settings. The high interrelation between efficient support eliminations by various procedures, noted above, requires an optimal combination of dynamically variable machine parameters and elimination strategies to achieve the greatest benefits. The best is that the techniques adapt to accommodate various sizes, shapes and materials of piece and must be automated to maximize the efficiency of work and energy.
    [0192]
    [0193] One of the negative effects of conventional support elimination is damage to the part due to overuse of a particular support removal technique such as heat, chemical treatment or abrasion. An excessive transfer of energy can cause the weakening of delicate pieces that can finally produce damage to the piece. Adverse agitation impacts come from numerous factors, such as heat, and may arise from suboptimal use for the given geometries and the material types of the part when applied with a conventional technique.
    [0194]
    [0195] The suboptimal application of any means of agitation leads to an inefficient use of energy. Excessive use of a medium, for example heat, may require a downtime while the tank is cooled to a more optimal temperature, creating a less efficient procedure. Insufficient amounts of heat lead to longer support elimination times. This loss in efficiency translates into higher energy and labor consumption, and may require a longer use of a machine, which increases operating costs. Another problem caused by the suboptimal application of any means of agitation is the possible damage to the piece.
    [0196]
    [0197] An additional aspect of the conventional support removal machines and methods is the use of a particular agitation means in which the agitation means has only two settings: active or inactive. For example, when the support material is removed using heat in a liquid tank, the pump can normally be set to 100% power or 0% power. This type of operation limits the optimization and increases possible damage to the part.
    [0198]
    [0199] Multiple agitation procedures for a 3D printed piece that work simultaneously in a given support removal machine could produce greater efficiency. However, traditional methods for handling multiple types of agitation in a support removal machine are currently limited to random manual, manual sequence and time-based sequencing. In most of the cases, these means of agitation are activated based on predetermined criteria, established protocols, sequential procedures, time-based approaches, the operator's criteria or combinations thereof. These procedures produce an indiscriminate elimination of the support of the piece, independently of the degree of elimination of necessary support when the shape of the piece changes during the elimination process. Time-based procedures are not sufficient due to the wide variety of parts and materials that can be used in a particular support removal machine, and therefore, criteria-based procedures have been necessary for most of the cases.
    [0200]
    [0201] The traditional methods of eliminating support do not manage to optimize the removal rates of support in them, so that their operation is maximized with respect to the change of shape of the piece and the performance of the support elimination machine.
    [0202]
    [0203] The goal of support removal may seem simple to elucidate. However, the effects of support removal are complex and interrelated, in particular when more than one agitation means is used, either simultaneously and / or in sequence. There are multiple compromises between getting a fast support elimination and the possible damages in the piece.
    [0204]
    [0205] Operators of media removal machines face a variety of nonlinear objectives, some of which are discussed above, while maintaining the ability to remove support material from a disparate set of individual parts. It is difficult and unrealistic to simultaneously optimize the calorific performance, the amplitude or frequency of ultrasonic waves, the pH, the rotation speed of the piece or other requirements for an operator to do it manually. Due to industry demands, media removal machines are subject to significant changes in operating conditions and types of detergents.
    [0206]
    [0207] To increase efficiency, machines can be subject to rules formulated from the operator's experiences, static design data, general thermal principles and
    [0208]
    [0209]
    [0210] periodic tests. However, the rules alone can not accommodate the diverse set of operating conditions that can be found on a daily basis. In addition, time-based systems or rules alone do not offer the best response due to the complexity of the individual pieces and the agitation procedures. While non-dynamic systems can be effective, the artificial intelligence that controls agitation procedures could create a more efficient procedure.
    [0211]
    [0212] The present invention provides a method for optimizing the operation of a support elimination machine using a statically dynamic rule-based system that overcomes these and other deficiencies of the related art.
    [0213]
    [0214] SUMMARY
    [0215]
    [0216] According to the present invention, there is provided a method for optimizing the operation of a support elimination machine having several agitation components, the method comprising: generating a model for the operation of the support elimination machine, receiving said model a plurality of input parameters associated with the operation of the support removal machine, and the generation of one or more output parameters in response to said plurality of input parameters, wherein each of said output parameters is associated with an objective for the support removal machine; the determination for one or more consecutive time increments of one or more decisions reaching a desired goal for the support elimination machine, in which at least one of said decisions is associated with at least one discrete variable for the operation of a support elimination machine based on said model; and the operation of the elimination of support according to at least one of the decisions D.
    [0217]
    [0218] In the procedure described in the present description, a 3D printed part containing support material is first placed in a tank with a liquid detergent. The initial parameters in the deposit are characterized, which include, but are not limited to, temperature and pH to determine the amount and type of energy that should be applied to the piece. The initial parameters can be based on the operator's experiences, the static design data, general thermal principles and periodic tests. For example, a solid or dense object acts as a heat sink and requires a longer initial heating time than a hollow object. Initial adjustments can be predicted based on previous experience with similar solid or dense objects and thermal principles known to the operator, so that the operator can be a person or a computer program.
    [0219]
    [0220] In the present system, the values around an initial predicted temperature setting are randomly selected and the effects on the deposit are measured in a time interval to determine an optimum value for an execution. Adjustments for values applied to the parameters of the machine are generated in this quasi-random manner to determine the optimal duration or intensity of particular agitation means, which include pump pressure, heat application and ultrasonic radiation. An initial optimum fit for each parameter is predicted based on various factors and the support elimination machine can be adjusted initially based on these values.
    [0221]
    [0222] Once a piece having a support removal structure is placed in the tank, the pump causes the liquid to flow through the tank to rotate and / or maintain the position of the piece printed in 3D, and after an increase of time, measurements of sensors are obtained in the deposit and the system of the present description is adjusted as an answer. After repeated measurements, the system adapts more adequately to the piece and is able to predict an optimal parameter selection with more precision, in which the size of the step or the distance with respect to the ideal parameter settings are generally lower . In the logic, selection value settings are more likely to meet the optimum temperature, pump and ultrasonic requirements for a specific part.
    [0223]
    [0224] Depending on the characteristics of a particular 3D printed part, a preferred agitation method may be used, such as chemical or thermal degradation of support material. However, when the application of a preferred process becomes suboptimal, an alternative agitation procedure may be activated for a period of
    [0225]
    [0226]
    [0227] inactivity for a preferred procedure. After the inactivity period for a preferred procedure, the support elimination system of the present description can return to the preferred method until an excess point is reached again, after which the preferred method is deactivated again for a period of " cooling". The support removal machine has sensors that can include temperature and / or pH sensors to receive the feedback and alternatively deactivate different agitation procedures.
    [0228]
    [0229] To limit damage to the part, a follow-up of each agitation procedure is carried out to maximize the elimination of support while leaving the construction material intact. With particular reference to plastic 3D printed parts, it is essential to keep track of each agitation medium to limit the increase in temperature of the part since the plastic materials can deform when the temperature becomes too high. In contrast to the existing support removal systems, a variety of agitation means are used in sequence or in parallel depending on the feed back to an agitation algorithm (AGA). The process of the present disclosure uses heat, pumping, ultrasound and chemical means to improve the removal of support. The ultrasonic agitation causes cavitation of the detergents in the immediate vicinity of the support material while the chemical reactions and pumping can work synergistically to promote the removal of support material.
    [0230]
    [0231] An advantage of the present invention is the provision of a system and a support elimination optimization method that uses calculations based on historical and real-time operating data acquired from the system or support elimination control systems.
    [0232]
    [0233] Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a support elimination optimization system and method that optimally determines when and which stirring component to remove agitation support will be selected and the activation signaled.
    [0234]
    [0235]
    [0236] Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a method for optimizing the operation of a support elimination machine in which one or more decisions are determined for at least one consecutive time increment, in which at least one of The decisions are associated with a discrete variable for the operation of a support elimination agitation component.
    [0237]
    [0238] These and other advantages will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
    [0239]
    [0240] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0241]
    [0242] The invention may take a physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, of which a preferred embodiment will be described in detail in the specification and will be illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part, and in which:
    [0243]
    [0244] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a support elimination optimization system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
    [0245]
    [0246] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a general overview of the general operation of a support removal system according to the present description;
    [0247]
    [0248] FIG. 3 shows an example of AGA in operation with a pump and ultrasounds for a particular part;
    [0249]
    [0250] FIG. 4 shows an example of AGA in operation with a pump and ultrasounds for a particular part.
    [0251]
    [0252] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
    [0253]
    [0254] In the following, the main components of a preferred embodiment of a support removal machine related to the method of the present disclosure will be briefly described. The support elimination machine has an exit tank that
    [0255]
    [0256]
    [0257] It is filled with a mass of ilquido to accept a piece. A pump in fluid communication with the outlet tank provides a hydraulic pressure that oscillates and can suspend a 3D printed part in a generally central position in the tank. The collectors located in specific positions along the tank generate a flow of liquid in rotation that allows the suspension and / or adjustment of the at least one piece.
    [0258]
    [0259] In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers attached to the tank provide power to interrogate the part. When in concurrent use with the heating unit, the elimination of support is sometimes improved by ultrasonic transducers placed tangentially in the tank with the object in rotation. The heating unit and the ultrasonic generator can operate in harmony. For example, the operation of the ultrasonic generator can intermittently complement the heater to reach a maximum efficiency in the consecution of an object value.
    [0260]
    [0261] The support elimination machine includes two related deposits: an exit tank, or containing the piece, and an entrance tank. The fluid from the outlet tank flows continuously from the outlet tank to the inlet tank. The liquid level of the inlet tank is below the outlet tank, which allows the liquid mass to cascade over an edge to provide oxygenation and cooling to the liquid mass.
    [0262]
    [0263] With reference to continuation to FIG. 1, a flowchart for an embodiment of the present description is shown. The flowchart provides a detailed description of a procedure for removing a support material. The first stage involves placing the piece in a tank and measuring the state of the machine, or the input parameters, in order to determine the starting points of the input parameters.
    [0264]
    [0265] The following stages involve the optimization, or characterization, of the amount of energy that can be incorporated into the system. This is achieved by generating random values around a predetermined threshold for several parameters such as, for example, the duration of pumping. The next stage may involve heating to reach the threshold
    [0266]
    [0267]
    [0268] predetermined. After an initial time interval, steps are taken to determine the progress towards the predetermined threshold. The duration of operation for the heater can be set to a particular chosen value and random values are tested within this range after the initial period of time to determine an optimum heating duration. It should be understood that the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and that it is contemplated that many alternative configurations are also suitable for use in connection with the present disclosure.
    [0269]
    [0270] The sensor / measurement system or systems detect or measure various deposit parameters, described below. Commercially available detection devices include, but are not limited to, temperature and pH sensors, in which the temperature measurement systems can be based on thermocouples, acoustic systems, lasers, optical systems, etc.
    [0271]
    [0272] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the support elimination optimization system includes a calculation engine, a data warehouse, an optimizer, an optimization preprocessor and an optimization postprocessor. In the following, each component of the support elimination optimization system will be described in detail. A new feature of this description is that multiple input parameters work together to optimize energy for support removal.
    [0273]
    [0274] A performance calculation system is a system of data collected by computer or manually that determines the calculations or efficiencies of total or partial caloric performance to produce an "Index of efficiency reference" (IRE).
    [0275]
    [0276] The support elimination optimization system, of which an embodiment is shown in FIG. 1, you can acquire data from the deposit using a data acquisition program that can be an independent program module. In particular, the control system or systems of the support elimination device provide the support elimination optimization system with data relating to a set of parameters (e.g., temperature, duration, time, etc.) for one or more components of elimination of
    [0277]
    [0278]
    [0279] support. The control system or systems of the support elimination device may include, but are not limited to, heater control systems, pump control systems, ultrasonic control systems, etc.
    [0280]
    [0281] The support elimination optimization system can calculate by itself or acquire information and data from any of the aforementioned systems pertaining to support removal events.
    [0282]
    [0283] The support elimination optimization system can be used to work in combination with system or control systems of support elimination components and intelligently influence its operation. The support elimination control system or systems may be configured to receive signals of activation (ACTIVE / INACTIVE), alarms or reports (operated according to the deposit parameters, described below) of the support elimination optimization system for one or more support removal components. In these cases, the actual activation action of the support removal components is still performed by the relevant support removal system or control systems, although the determination to activate that component or support removal components, and when to activate A support elimination component is determined by the support elimination optimization system.
    [0284]
    [0285] It should be understood that the support elimination components control system or systems can communicate directly with the support removal optimization system. Similarly, the functionality of one or more of the other deposit data sources, such as sensor / measurement systems, performance calculation systems and historical data, may exist separately or may be combined as a part of one of the other data sources of the deposits or other components of the system. It will be noted that a real configuration will be specific to the support removal machine.
    [0286]
    [0287] An IA-based model of support removal, which in a preferred embodiment is a statistically dynamic rule-based (SBRDE) 100 system (as shown) in FIG. 1), receives input parameters and generates output parameters. The input parameters may include, but are not limited to, parameter values associated with (input) parameters of the deposit. The input and output parameters have internal and external elements. Each input parameter can be classified as a controllable variable. The controllable variables are variables that can be controlled by the operator of the support elimination machine.
    [0288]
    [0289] The uncontrolled input parameters include the part and the part characteristics that must be adjusted by the controllable variables in order to generate an efficient support elimination optimally through the maximization of the calorific performance of the part and thereby maximizing the efficiency of elimination of support. The outputs include the calorific performance of the piece and the subsequent reduction of support material.
    [0290]
    [0291] It should be noted that the input and output parameters of support elimination AI described herein are only an established example of model input and output parameters to illustrate the present invention, and that the actual set of input parameters and The output model can be specific to the machine.
    [0292]
    [0293] The model of support elimination AI is trained using the support elimination operation, parametric tests and / or historical data. A training procedure involves adjustments based on the iterative examination of the input parameters. In this regard, the support elimination AI model is trained to predict the output parameters based on the input parameters. The AI model of support elimination as! Developed then determines the appropriate settings for the input parameters in order to achieve the desired objectives, within defined constraints, as will be described in detail later.
    [0294]
    [0295] It should be noted that the support removal procedure of the present description allows complex relationships between temperatures, pressures, heat performance and other parameters of the carrier removal detergents that will be effectively modeled. The models are developed using historical data, parametric test data, normal support elimination data, outputs from other AI models of
    [0296]
    [0297]
    [0298] Elimination of AI support or combinations thereof.
    [0299]
    [0300] The optimization restrictions for relevant input parameters, as! as the 'objective function' (relation) for the output parameters of the support elimination AI model, such as the calorific performance, can be configured by the user or adjusted in real time based on the design conditions of the machine and the equipment, other system data, other AI models, thermal principles, engineering knowledge, operational experience, established policies and / or information on the operation of the machine dynamically acquired (data values) from the data sources of the deposit.
    [0301]
    [0302] In accordance with the present invention, the data from the deposit data sources and other system components, the deposit parameters or combinations thereof are used to (a) determine if the support elimination components are activated and when they are activated. activate the support elimination components, and (b) deduce biases / optimal set points for various deposit parameters using the artificial engineering techniques of the present invention.
    [0303]
    [0304] The optimization preprocessor performs preprocessing operations that can dynamically examine and modify the configuration of the agitation / optimizer algorithm. Accordingly, several operational restrictions, real-time events and activation conditions are considered. For example, the optimization preprocessor can determine the input parameters used by the support elimination procedure. For input parameters that can be modified (ie, controllable input parameters), the optimization preprocessor can identify possible limits to changes, such as changes in the liquid level. The actual list of operational restrictions, real-time events and activation conditions is specific to the machine and the application. However, the following list may serve as an example, which includes, but is not limited to:
    [0305]
    [0306] 1. Make adjustments so that the temperatures of the liquid mass (deposit) remain within the threshold values defined by the user.
    [0307]
    [0308]
    [0309] 2. Make adjustments so that the ultrasonic frequency and amplitude are kept within or outside the threshold values defined by the user.
    [0310]
    [0311] 3. Make adjustments so that the rotation flow of the liquid mass as determined by the pump is maintained within or outside the threshold values defined by the user.
    [0312]
    [0313] 4. Make adjustments so that parameters such as pH are kept within the threshold values defined by the user.
    [0314]
    [0315] 5. Suspend the support removal activity when the part parameters are below, rise above, or are within or outside the range of threshold values defined by the user.
    [0316]
    [0317] 6. If the time is less than MinOffTime for the component or support removal components, do not attempt to adjust the component or relevant support removal components.
    [0318]
    [0319] 7. If the time is greater than MaxOffTime for the component or support removal components, make adjustments so that the activation of the relevant support removal component or components is indicated.
    [0320]
    [0321] 8. Check the settings according to the time-based relationships defined by the user.
    [0322]
    [0323] 9. Activate the selected support removal component or components in a user-defined pattern, such as heating, ultrasound, cooling and ultrasound or other combinations thereof.
    [0324]
    [0325] The optimizer consults the SBRDE of support elimination with several controllable input parameters to obtain the predicted output parameters. In this regard, the optimizer iteratively modifies one or more controllable input parameters for the SBRDE until the predicted output parameters are substantially equal to the desired output parameters. More specifically, the optimizer is activated automatically based on the operational events of time and / or machine. Consult the SBRDE / IA model of support elimination in an iterative way to perform scenarios of type "what would happen if." The results of each iteration of the "what if" operation are evaluated for further analysis and processing. Each execution of the optimizer ends in a comprehensive search and evaluation of many possible variations for different controllable variables (eg, deposit parameters) and their corresponding predicted effects on the 'targets' (eg, removal of support material and calorie yield) . Optimization results are generated in the form of recommended adjusted controllable input parameters that are determined to be necessary by the optimizer to achieve the optimization objectives while considering system and operational constraints.
    [0326]
    [0327] It should be noted that according to the present invention, the "objective function" for the "targets" of the optimizer can also be adjusted in real time. Thus, the ability to dynamically adjust several parameters of the optimizer before or during each execution of the optimizer allows the removal procedure to optimize support of this description always seek a better operating condition than previously obtained, while considering the constraints and operational objectives current
    [0328]
    [0329] The objective function is the mathematical relation between all the entries and the objectives of the SBRDE of elimination of support. The objective function includes the objectives and their relative weighting (ie importance) with respect to the total desired result of all the combined optimizer objectives, as well as the weighting of all the relative inputs among each other in the network of elimination of support. The optimizer solves the best total desired result, while the AI network relates all the inputs with each independent output.
    [0330]
    [0331] The selection of orderly support elimination components described above for activation can optionally be further processed through the use of trajectory forecasting analysis. The system of optimization of elimination of Support can also classify the support elimination components according to their importance while also considering the operating conditions of the machine passed, present and planned. A trajectory forecasting system may include the use of an optimizer, which is preferably a system based on statistically dynamic rules, although other systems such as classification techniques, fuzzy logic and other artificial intelligence techniques may be considered.
    [0332]
    [0333] In summary, the present description applies AI optimization technology, such as a system based on statistically dynamic rules, to optimize the objective of improving the energy rate (efficiency) in support elimination machines for 3D printed parts. By improving the heat performance of the support elimination machine, the present invention allows a support elimination machine to generate additional efficiency without changing the physical configuration of the support elimination machine. An optimization technology facilitates the creation of a model that represents the support elimination procedure. This model is used in conjunction with an AGA to optimize the elimination of support taking into account several operational constraints.
    [0334]
    [0335] Ultrasound, heating and pumping, alternately or simultaneously, are controlled to improve support elimination. In a realization of the method of the present description, the temperature of the tank can be adjusted or not, although an adjustment in intervals of 20 minutes is considered to determine the increase and decrease of the current temperature of the tank. This allows a user to generally determine the quantity and quality of material or parts in the deposit. Random values are valid only for a period of 20 minutes. The parameters are monitored every minute, but changes can only be made every 20 minutes. A measurement is made during the tracking, and in this case, if the measured temperature is in a range of 3% of the predetermined threshold temperature, the heater closes since, in this example, the temperature should not exceed 100 degrees.
    [0336]
    [0337] In performing the procedure shown in FIG. 1, if the temperature reaches 100 degrees, the support elimination machine closes the heating function. At this point, the machine generates random numbers from the cooling function. In the heating phase random numbers are between 300 and 3,000. In the cooling phase, the random numbers are between 30 and 90.
    [0338]
    [0339] Cooling and cleaning coincide to maximize efficiency. Cleaning can raise the temperature, however, cooling and cleaning at the same time increase the overall efficiency of the process. The ultrasonic generator can be maintained during cooling, however, the working time can be reduced to avoid unacceptable levels of heating due to ultrasonic radiation.
    [0340]
    [0341] The procedure modifies at 20-minute intervals, except for unexpected episodes, although in the case of unexpected variation the procedure can be self-modified at any of the one-minute follow-up intervals, where the one-minute intervals can be considered control points at which they make decisions about the parameters that must be regulated. Unlike the known support elimination methods that measure the temperature to maintain a certain temperature, the procedure of the present description measures the temperature so that a specified temperature is not exceeded. Previously known devices will have components such as heaters and pumps that operate at full power until specified parameters, such as temperature, are met.
    [0342]
    [0343] In the present description, the method may have a heater that operates at 100% power while the pump operates at 50% power. The procedure is not limited to a certain temperature since it is operating within a range that allows the optimization of energy through the variable use of components.
    [0344]
    [0345] In FIG. 1 a basic description of a realization of the method of the present description is shown. FIG. 2 illustrates the basic steps of placing the piece in the tank, activating the pump 200 and repeating the steps of rotation 204 and agitation 206 of the piece. The rotation 204 and the agitation 206 may be performed in a loop or sequence. The piece is rotated 204 under pressure from a pump. The support material is removed as the agitation 206, which can be caused by ultrasound, heat and / or friction, increases and decreases.
    [0346] The chemical agitation through interactions between the piece and the liquid mass can be continuous while the piece is in the tank. The composition of the detergent can play a role in the process of the present description and can be designed specifically for certain types of parts. The properties of this aqueous detergent are further parameters factored into the multiple forms of energy optimization used in the process.
    [0347]
    [0348] With regard to FIG. 1, Table 1, shown below, describes a preferred embodiment of the method of the present disclosure.
    [0349]
    [0350]
    [0351] Initial execution time algorithm
    [0352]
    [0353] The Work and Inactivity times during the initial execution must have a narrower selection of random numbers so that the 10 minute work time extends throughout the 20 minute characterization period. The temperature will be checked every minute during this cycle to make sure that the maximum temperature is not reached.
    [0354]
    [0355] Initial selection of "active / inactive" time: 5-300 s
    [0356]
    [0357] Iterative selections of "active / inactive" time:
    [0358]
    [0359] If the remaining two times> 300 s: random time selection = 5-300 s
    [0360] Yes remaining time required> 300 s and another> 100 s: random time selection = 5-300 s If remaining time required> 300 s and another <100 s: random time selection = 5-300 s
    [0361]
    [0362] If the remaining two times> 300: random time selection = 5 = 5-75 s
    [0363] If remaining time required> 300 and another> 100: random time selection = 5-25 s
    [0364] If remaining time required> 300 and another <100: random time selection = 5-100 s
    [0365]
    [0366] If the remaining two times <100: selection of random time = 1 - remaining time in s If remaining time required <100 and others> 100: random time selection = 1 - 5 remaining time
    [0367]
    [0368] If another remaining time is 0: random time selection = time remaining in s
    [0369]
    [0370] Execution only of ultrasonic algorithm (when the temperature is at 10 degrees of max temp.)
    [0371]
    [0372] Heating algorithm
    [0373]
    [0374] The "Active" and "inactive" times during warming require a working time of 10 minutes for a period of 20 minutes unless the current temperature is in a range of 5 degrees at the start. If it is in a range of 5 degrees, a working time of 5 minutes will be used during a period of 20 minutes.
    [0375]
    [0376] If another time> 0: random time selection = 1 - remaining time
    [0377] If another time = 0: random time selection = remaining time
    [0378]
    [0379] Cooling algorithm
    [0380]
    [0381] During the cooling cycle it will still be necessary to apply the ultrasonic component for the surface elimination. For this, it is necessary to reduce the amount of work time during the measurement time period (working time of 1 minute during a period of 10 minutes). The working time will be adjusted based on the rate of heat loss after the first measurement.
    [0382]
    [0383] If another time> 0: random time selection = 1 - remaining time
    [0384] If another time = 0: random time selection = remaining time
    [0385]
    [0386]
    [0387] After reading and understanding the descriptive memory, other experts will discover modifications and alterations. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofar as they fall within the scope of the invention as claimed or equivalents thereof.
    [0388]
    [0389] Although example embodiments have been shown and described, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications or alterations to the descriptions can be made. Therefore, all these changes, modifications and alterations should be considered within the scope of the description.
    [0390]
    [0391] It should be noted that terms such as "specifically", preferably "," normally "," generally "and" often "are not used herein to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain characteristics are critical, essential or They are important for the structure or function of the claimed invention, on the contrary, these terms are simply intended to highlight alternative or additional characteristics that may or may not be used in a particular embodiment of the present invention. "approximately" are used herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that can be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measure or other representation.
    [0392]
    [0393] The values and dimensions described herein are not to be construed as strictly limited to the exact numerical values indicated. On the contrary, unless otherwise specified, each of these values is intended to comprise both the indicated value and a functionally equivalent range around said value. For example, a value described as "50 degrees" is intended to mean "approximately 50 degrees".
    [0394]
    [0395]
    4
    权利要求:
    Claims (26)
    [1]
    1. A method of elimination of one piece support material, comprising:
    the colocation of a piece with support material within a chamber, said chamber having a means disposed therein;
    the establishment of one or more first parameters of said medium for a first time interval;
    the application of said first parameters during said first time interval;
    the measurement of a first effect of said medium having said first parameters imparted on said support material during said first time interval by means of a first sensor operatively disposed at or near the camera;
    the analysis of said measurements of said first sensor;
    the determination of one or more second parameters of said medium during a second time interval;
    adjusting said means to said second parameters during said second time interval.
    [2]
    2. The process for removing support material according to claim 1, wherein said medium is a fluid, a plurality of abrasive bodies or a combination of both.
    [3]
    3. The method of removing support material according to claim 1, further comprising measuring said first parameters of said medium by means of a second sensor operatively disposed at or near said chamber.
    [4]
    4. The support material removal process according to claim 3, wherein said first parameters of said medium are one or more between the temperature, the medium pressure, the pH or the agitation intensity.
    [5]
    5. The process for removing support material according to claim 1 which also comprises the reception of data of a user in order to establish said first parameters
    [6]
    6. The method of elimination of support material according to claim 1, wherein said first sensor is an optical, infrared, thermal or acoustic sensor.
    [7]
    7. The support material removal process according to claim 1, wherein said first parameters are determined from a historical database of parameters.
    [8]
    The method of removing support material according to claim 1, wherein said effect that said medium has on said piece during said first time interval is compared with a computer generated model of said piece to determine the amount of material of support that remains attached to said piece.
    [9]
    The method of removing support material according to claim 1, further comprising measuring a second effect in said medium having said second parameters imparted in said support material during said second time interval by means of said first sensor .
    [10]
    10. The support material removal process according to claim 1, wherein said first time interval is longer than said second time interval.
    [11]
    11. The process for removing support material according to claim 1, wherein said part is prepared by additive manufacture and contains support material created due to the additive manufacturing process.
    [12]
    The removal process of support material according to claim 1, further comprising:
    the repetition of said method during a plurality of time intervals consecutive until an execution time for said procedure has been reached; and the elimination of said piece from said chamber after said execution time for said procedure has been reached.
    [13]
    13. An apparatus for processing a manufactured part, comprising:
    a chamber for containing means operatively arranged to receive a manufactured part; a pump operatively arranged to circulate said medium within said chamber;
    a first sensor operatively arranged to detect one or more first parameters of said means; Y,
    a control unit connected in communication with said first sensor,
    wherein during the operation of the apparatus, said first sensor transmits said first parameters to said control unit, said control unit analyzes one or more of said parameters to determine one or more second parameters of said means and transmits the one or more seconds parameters in order to effect a change in the medium.
    [14]
    The support removal apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the one or more second parameters are transmitted by the control unit in order to modify a medium temperature or a discharge pressure of a pump that is pumping the half to the camera.
    [15]
    15. The support removal apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a stirrer arranged to agitate the medium within the chamber.
    [16]
    16. The support removal apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the agitator is controlled by the control unit.
    [17]
    17. The support removal apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said part is prepared by additive manufacture and includes support material created by the additive manufacturing process.
    [18]
    The apparatus for support elimination according to claim 13, further comprising a second sensor operatively arranged to take a measurement of a quantity of change of said piece due to processing, wherein during operation of the apparatus said second sensor transmits said measured to said control unit, said measure is analyzed by said control unit in combination with said first parameters to determine said second parameters of said means.
    [19]
    19. The support removal apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said second sensor is an optical, infrared, thermal or acoustic sensor.
    [20]
    20. The support removal apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said medium is a fluid, a plurality of abrasive bodies or a combination of both.
    [21]
    21. The support removal apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said parameters comprise one or more of medium pressure, agitation intensity, pH or temperature.
    [22]
    22. A method of removing support material in one piece, comprising:
    the determination of one or more first parameters of a medium arranged within a camera;
    subjection of a piece with support material to said medium having said first parameters during a first time interval;
    determining one or more second parameters of said means before the end of said first time interval;
    the subjection of said piece with support material to said medium having said second parameters during a second time interval;
    repeating said procedure for a plurality of consecutive time intervals until an execution time for said procedure has been reached; Y,
    the elimination of said piece of said means after said execution time for said procedure has been reached.
    [23]
    23. The method according to claim 22, wherein said second time interval is shorter than said first time interval.
    [24]
    24. The process for removing support material according to claim 22, further comprising:
    the measurement of an effect that said medium has on said support material during said first time interval by means of a sensor;
    the comparison of said effect that said means has on said piece during said first time interval for a computer generated model of said piece; Y,
    the determination of a quantity of said support material that remains attached to said piece.
    [25]
    25. The support material removal process according to claim 22, further comprising:
    the reception of data of said user in order to establish said set of first parameters of said means;
    the measurement of the temperature, the level of agitation, the pH or the pressure of the pump of said medium by means of a sensor operatively arranged to read the data of said medium; Y,
    the determination of the second parameters of said medium using said measurements of said means.
    [26]
    26. The process for removing support material according to claim 22, wherein said medium is a fluid, a plurality of abrasive bodies or a combination of both.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    GB202115106D0|2021-12-08|
    GB201906656D0|2019-06-26|
    JP2019530603A|2019-10-24|
    KR20190068538A|2019-06-18|
    DE112017005132T5|2019-09-26|
    ES2713299R1|2019-06-17|
    GB2570828A|2019-08-07|
    US20190270248A1|2019-09-05|
    EP3523123A4|2020-06-17|
    ES2713299B2|2020-02-21|
    GB2597392A|2022-01-26|
    GB2570828B|2021-12-08|
    WO2018071428A1|2018-04-19|
    EP3523123A1|2019-08-14|
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    US9592539B2|2010-01-05|2017-03-14|Stratasys, Inc.|Support cleaning system|
    US8459280B2|2011-09-23|2013-06-11|Stratasys, Inc.|Support structure removal system|WO2018093958A1|2016-11-15|2018-05-24|Postprocess Technologies Inc.|Self-modifying process for rotational support structure removal in 3d printed parts using calibrated resonant frequency|
    US10359764B1|2017-12-29|2019-07-23|Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated|System and method for planning support removal in hybrid manufacturing with the aid of a digital computer|
    GB201808639D0|2018-05-25|2018-07-11|Additive Manufacturing Tech Ltd|Additive manufacturing|
    CN112996651A|2018-10-05|2021-06-18|增材制造技术有限公司|Additive manufacturing|
    WO2020099096A1|2018-11-12|2020-05-22|Technische Universität München|Method for treatment of elements obtained by an additive manufacturing process|
    法律状态:
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    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US201662406187P| true| 2016-10-10|2016-10-10|
    PCT/US2017/055957|WO2018071428A1|2016-10-10|2017-10-10|Self-modifying agitation process and apparatus for support removal in additive manufacturing and 3d printed material|
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