The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional object by means of an additive manufacturing process in which at least one manufacturing material is fed in a free-flowing state from at least one feed-in opening of at least one feed-in needle into a supporting material and then cured, the manufacturing material being introduced in multiple layers one after the other. The invention also relates to a device for conducting such a method.
Nowadays, many types of additive manufacturing process are known from the prior art and are used to produce a wide range of three-dimensional objects. Traditionally, additive manufacturing processes are hardly suitable for producing large quantities of the respective objects, as the production of individual objects takes a lot of time. In additive manufacturing processes, especially 3D printing, the object to be produced is built up of a number of very thin layers arranged on top of each other, which are often just a few micrometers thick. As a result, the production of large objects in particular is time-consuming and has therefore not yet become established for the production of large quantities.
In the last few years, a great deal of progress has been made in this area. For example, MIT developed a three-dimensional printing process that was published in US 2018/281295 A1, for example. In this case, the object to be produced is made in a container that contains a gel suspension or another material as a support material which does not chemically react with the manufacturing material. It serves only to support the manufacturing material as long as it is not yet cured or sufficiently crosslinked. In the method, the manufacturing material is introduced in a free-flowing state, for example as a liquid or gel, at the desired positions within the support material.
The feed-in needle is used for this purpose, which can be displaced in three directions that are linearly independent of one another. Due to the density ratios between the manufacturing material and the support material, the manufacturing material that has been introduced remains in the respective position, so that three-dimensional objects can be printed especially quickly by putting the manufacturing material at the desired points and subsequently cross-linking, setting or curing it there. This process is significantly faster than previous 3D printing methods and also makes it possible to produce flexible or elastic objects. It also allows a wide range of materials to be printed that have not been specifically optimized for additive manufacturing processes, but have become established in conventional casting processes. This includes biocompatible silicones, for example. However, certain material combinations of manufacturing material and support material present problems. A similar method is described by the company NSTRMNT at http://nstmnt.com/#/suspended-depositions/ under the key term “Suspended Deposition”.
The method is used to create a three-dimensional object in different layers arranged one on top of the other. However, these layers can be made to be significantly thicker than in conventional methods, so that large objects can also be produced relatively quickly. To achieve this, however, it is necessary that different layers of the manufacturing material that are applied on top of each other not only remain at the desired position within the support material, but that a sufficiently secure bonding forms between these layers, thereby resulting in a three-dimensional object. In addition to this basic layer bonding, which is necessary to create cohesive components, it is desirable for the materials that have not yet cured to flow into each other in order to obtain object surfaces that are as smooth as possible. This is only insufficiently the case for certain material combinations, so that the determination of suitable process parameters and material combinations sometimes incurs a great deal of research effort and is therefore cost- and time-intensive.
The invention is therefore based on the task of improving a method according to the preamble in such a way that the disadvantages of the prior art are eliminated or at least reduced.
The invention solves the addressed task by way of a method according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the feed-in needle comprises at least one tool by which at least one previous layer is machined when a current layer of the manufacturing material is introduced. Preferably, at least the immediately preceding layer of the manufacturing material is machined when the current layer is introduced.
The invention is based on the knowledge that, with regards to the adhesion of different layers of manufacturing material to or on each other, it is advantageous if a previously introduced layer of the manufacturing material is re-machined when the current layer is introduced, so that the contact between the different layers is preferably improved and the adhesion and bonding between the different layers thus increased and/or the surface quality enhanced. Surprisingly, it is not necessary to increase, for example, a hydrostatic pressure acting on the support material for this purpose or to increase the pressure at which the manufacturing material is introduced from the feed-in needle into the support material. These measures can be individually or collectively advantageous, but are not required for the functionality of the invention.
In the method described here, the feed-in needle is moved through the support material. It usually has a longitudinal direction that extends from one end of the feed-in needle, where the manufacturing material is introduced into the feed-in needle, to an opposite end of the feed-in needle, where the manufacturing material leaves the feed-in needle. At this end of the feed-in needle in particular, where a feed-in opening is provided, the feed-in needle can feature a bend, kink or curve, without this changing the longitudinal extension of the feed-in needle within the context of the present invention. The feed-in needle preferably has a tubular section, which is designed to be straight and defines the longitudinal extension of the feed-in needle. In this case, a feed-in needle with a longitudinal extension can be moved in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal extension. A wide range of geometric paths can be traced and the feed-in needle moved along these paths. Additionally or alternatively, however, the feed-in needle can also be moved along its longitudinal extension. This corresponds to a movement in the “z” direction, while the movement perpendicular to this corresponds to a movement in an “x”-“y” plane. Of course, movements are also possible that correspond to a combination of these directions.
A feed-in needle that does not have a straight section which could define a longitudinal direction can of course also be moved along these directions. The direction in which a feed-in needle is moved is described hereinafter as a direction of movement.
The at least one tool is preferably made of the same material as the feed-in needle, for example a metal or a plastic. However, it can also be made of a different material to the feed-in material. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one tool is a mandrel or a pin or a flat object similar to a trowel. Particularly preferably, the at least one tool protrudes beyond the end of the feed-in needle along with “z” direction, which, especially preferably, corresponds to the direction of the earth's gravitational field. Particularly preferably, the at least one tool protrudes beyond the feed-in opening of the feed-in needle in this direction.
During introduction of the current layer of manufacturing material, the at least one tool preferably projects into at least one preceding layer, at least one tool preferably being arranged in front of the feed-in needle in the direction of movement of the feed-in needle. During production of the three-dimensional object, the feed-in needle is consequently moved through the support material in such a way that a current layer of manufacturing material is introduced into the support material and, in the process, comes into contact with a previous layer, preferably the layer introduced immediately before. Advantageously, the at least one tool is arranged in front of the feed-in needle in the direction of movement of the feed-in needle. In this position, it has two effects. On the one hand, the tool splits and tears the support material in the direction of movement immediately in front of the feed-in needle, making it easier to move the feed-in needle through the support material in the direction of movement. On the other hand, the tool preferably protrudes beyond the feed-in opening, so that it at least protrudes into the layer of the manufacturing material that was introduced into the support material immediately beforehand. As a result, this layer is also machined, in particular slit, ripped or cut open.
Preferably, the at least one tool is so long and projects so far beyond the feed-in opening of the feed-in needle that several layers of the manufacturing material, which have already been introduced into the support material, are machined accordingly, i.e. in particular slit open, ripped open or cut open. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one tool has a bead similar to a ship's bow, and protrudes with this bead beyond the feed-in needle in the direction of movement of the feed-in needle. When the feed-in needle is moved, this bead is preferably displaced along a previously introduced layer of manufacturing material and moved in the layer. This causes the layer in which the bead moves to open and expand, and the current layer comes into contact over a particularly large surface area.
The current layer of the manufacturing material is then applied to the at least one layer of manufacturing machined in this way and comes into contact with it. Surprisingly, a significantly stronger bond between the various layers is achieved during subsequent curing, cross-linking or setting.
Preferably, the at least one tool mixes or smooths the current layer and the at least one preceding layer and/or presses them together. To this end, it is advantageous if the at least one tool is arranged next to the feed-in needle in the direction of movement of the feed-in needle. In this arrangement too, the at least one tool preferably protrudes beyond the feed-in opening of the feed-in needle in the “z” direction. With this embodiment, the three-dimensional object produced has a constant or at least almost constant wall thickness and/or a smooth and even surface. This also improves the contact between the individual layers and enhances the bond between the individual layers during subsequent curing, cross-linking or setting. In a preferred embodiment, the feed-in needle preferably features at least two tools, which are preferably arranged opposite each other on two different sides of the feed-in needle. As a result, both an inner surface and an outer surface of the three-dimensional object to be produced can be smoothed, thereby further strengthening the bond between the individual layers.
Advantageously, the at least one tool is arranged behind the feed-in needle in the direction of movement. It protrudes into both the current layer and into at least one preceding layer. Particularly preferably, it protrudes into multiple preceding layers. Since the at least one tool is arranged behind the feed-in needle in the direction of movement, when the feed-in needle is moved not only is the layer of manufacturing material already previously introduced into the support material slit open, ripped open or cut open or machined in any other way, but also the current introduced layer.
In a preferred embodiment, the feed-in needle has multiple tools by which the effects and machining of the different layers described above can be combined. In particular, trowel-like, flat tools that can be used to smooth one side of the three-dimensional object to be produced can have different shapes and, in particular, can extend over several of the previously introduced layers.
In a preferred embodiment, the three-dimensional object is an orthopaedic device, in particular a prosthesis liner. In the present case, an orthopaedic device is understood particularly to mean orthoses and prostheses and their components as well as exoskeletons to support body parts. Orthopaedic shoes, shoe inserts and similar devices are also considered orthopaedic devices.
A range of different materials are used in orthopaedic devices that take into account the various profiles of requirements of the respective device. Nowadays, prosthesis sockets in particular are produced for the patient on an individual basis and are therefore especially well-suited for the use of an additive manufacturing process. The prosthesis is fixed and arranged on an amputation stump. A range of fixing systems exists, one fixing system being known as vacuum socket technology. In this process, the volume between the amputation stump and the inner wall of the socket is evacuated when the device is in the mounted state. A prosthesis liner can be arranged on the stump for sealing and cushioning purposes, said prosthesis liner usually comprising a closed distal end and a proximal access opening and surrounding the stump when mounted. By inserting the stump equipped with the liner, a volume is created between the outer side of the prosthesis liner and the inner side of the prosthesis socket that can be evacuated, which leads to a force-locking connection between the socket and the liner.
To achieve a permanent attachment of the prosthesis socket, it is necessary to seal the volume between the prosthesis liner and the prosthesis socket against the atmosphere. For this purpose, so-called caps or collars are provided that are pulled over the proximal edge of the prosthesis socket and rest on the outer side of the liner or the stump, thereby sealing a gap. As an alternative, sealing lips may be arranged on the outer side of the liner or the inner side of the socket. The method of the type described here renders it possible to produce such a liner either completely or partially by means of the additive manufacturing process, wherein sealing lips and other elements arranged on the liner are preferably also produced in the same manufacturing step by means of the additive manufacturing process.
The invention also solves the addressed task by way of a device for carrying out a method described here. Such a device usually features a container that holds the support material and into which the feed-in needle protrudes. In this case, the feed-in needle can be moved in three directions, which are linearly independent from each other, and has at least one feed-in opening, which is preferably arranged at the lower end of the feed-in needle. Manufacturing material is introduced through the feed-in opening and through the feed-in needle into the container and thus into the support material. In addition, the feed-in needle has at least one tool that enables the machining of a layer of the manufacturing material already located in the support material when a current layer of manufacturing material is introduced into the support material through feed-in opening.
Preferably, the at least one tool can be positioned in front of , next to or behind the feed-in needle in the direction of movement of the feed-in needle. Particularly preferably, the at least one tool can be attached to the feed-in needle in predetermined orientations. For this purpose, the tool and the feed-in needle preferably each have a positioning element by which the orientations in which the two components can be attached in relation to one another can be fixed. For example, a projection can be provided on an outer surface of the feed-in needle and a corresponding recess provided on the tool, which ensures the orientation of the two components in relation to one another. If the feed-in needle has multiple corresponding projections and/or the tool has multiple corresponding recesses, different orientations can be achieved. Of course, the recess can also be arranged on the needle and the projection arranged on the tool.
Alternatively or additionally, the at least one tool is arranged on the feed-in needle in such a way that the orientation and/or the position of the tool on the feed-in needle can be infinitely adjusted.
The device preferably comprises at least one tool that is designed to correspond to the feed-in needle or a part of the feed-in needle.
In a preferred embodiment, the feed-in needle is arranged such that it can be rotated about its longitudinal axis, the device preferably comprising at least one drive for rotating the feed-in needle about its longitudinal axis. Such a drive may be a motor, for example, such as an electric motor. The orientation of the at least one feed-in opening of the feed-in needle relative to the direction of movement of the feed-in needle can therefore be changed. For example, the direction of movement of the feed-in needle can be changed without the orientation of the feed-in opening relative to this direction of movement changing. Alternatively, the orientation can even be changed without the direction of movement changing. Of course, it is also possible to change both the direction of movement of the feed-in needle and the orientation of the feed-in needle relative to this direction of movement.
In a preferred embodiment, the at least one tool is arranged in the lower area of the feed-in needle where the feed-in opening is also located. If the feed-in needle can be rotated via a drive about its longitudinal axis, the orientation of the at least one tool relative to the direction of movement of the feed-in needle can consequently also be changed, if desired. In the same way, it is possible to retain the orientation of the at least one tool relative to the direction of movement of the feed-in needle, even if this direction of movement changes.
Advantageously, the feed-in needle features a flow profile that orients the feed-in needle along the direction of movement of the feed-in needle. This can be as in addition or as an alternative to a drive. In this case, if the direction of movement of the feed-in needle changes, the flow profile ensures that the feed-in needle also rotates about its longitudinal axis and orients itself in such a way that the flow profile of the feed-in needle offers a minimal flow resistance in the new direction of movement.
In a preferred embodiment, the feed-in needle has at least one orientation element, which protrudes from part of the feed-in needle and rotates it about its longitudinal axis when the feed-in needle is moved. The orientation element can be part of the flow profile and act as such.
Advantageously, the orientation element and/or the at least one tool are attached to the feed-in needle such that they can be adjusted.
In the following, a number of embodiment examples of the invention will be explained in more detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings. They show
Along the longitudinal direction of the feed-in opening 4, i.e. from the wide end of the feed-in opening 4 to the pointed end of the feed-in opening 4, the legs do not extend to the hook 30. Rather, they terminate before the hook 30 in this direction. This is different in the embodiment example of the feed-in needle 2 depicted in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2020 118 034.9 | Jul 2020 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2021/069004 | 7/8/2021 | WO |