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Variable diameter nozzle

Posted by ingpconci 
Variable diameter nozzle
December 01, 2015 05:25PM
Hi , I would like to design and manufacture a variable diameter nozzle as a open source hardware project.
The idea is to replicate the mechanism of the four jaw cork compressor.

To build the microscopic jaws I use the MEMS technology.
In the pictures you can see what we can realize with this top-down technology:

"Courtesy Sandia National Laboratories, SUMMiT™ Technologies, www.sandia.gov/mstc"
I would like to ask to the community if my idea is interesting.
I'd appreciate suggestion and comments
Kind regards
Paolo
VDX
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
December 01, 2015 05:47PM
... what material for the parts? - the nozzle has to withstand hihg pressure and the (sideways) extruded material can clogg the mechanism ...


Viktor
--------
Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
December 02, 2015 01:40AM
The silicon micromachining technology was used in several devices, ink jet printing and other.
For example in a StartJet molten metal nozzle chip, where the chip operate at 350C.

Ref:
Molten Jet Nozzle

The thermal conductivity is very good and the silicon MEMS technology can benefit form from the batch fabrication in large arrays.
VDX
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
December 02, 2015 04:45AM
... molten metal is a totally different thing than the different plastics with pretty wide viscosity ranges and probably intermixed microparticles and fillers.

My main concern is clogging/blocking of the slider mechanis through microparticles or burnt plastic residues ...


Viktor
--------
Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
December 08, 2015 03:59PM
Viktor, I agree, the design of the slider is very challenging.
We need to optimize the geometries of the mechanism, it is not easy because the molten polymer fill easily cavity(like in DVD fabrication or in micromolding)
Very important is the control of the surface in order to obtain a poor wettability of molten polymer.
Paolo
VDX
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
December 08, 2015 05:24PM
... could be, Magnetoshape is interesting for such tasks.

Essentially it's a solid metallic form, that will change size or shape/strain with changing magnetic field around.

I have a sample of a simple block, which will change his length (20mm) up to to 5% in a B-field from 0 to 1.2T.

with a more complex (assembled) form there can be much more complex morphing/shape-changing


Viktor
--------
Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
December 09, 2015 04:25PM
I see the Magnetoshape material, it is a interesting material but I have only some doubt about the temperature effect.
If we put the actuator near the nozzle, the temperature can be hight.
The piezoelectric actuator has the same problem.
Paolo
VDX
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
December 10, 2015 06:59AM
... cooling (heatbreaks) or 'remote' operation via sticks/wires á la Bowden ...


Viktor
--------
Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
December 21, 2015 09:14AM
To reduce the thermal effect on the nozzle we can use a connecting rod.
The heat flux for an AISI 304 connecting rod (diameter 1 mm,lenght 40mm, dT=200C) is < 0.1 W.

Re: Variable diameter nozzle
January 08, 2016 07:35AM
Cool idea.

For closing the nozzle and getting zero ooze that will be a solution.

For changing the nozzle size, the shutter needs to be the last thing the filament will pass. Otherwise the material will end up after the shutter in a "room" the size of the largest diameter of the shutter, and it will do nothing as the material will then expand again(either by back pressure or die swell).
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
January 14, 2016 09:26AM
I think an extruded area in the center of the nozzle.


Have you some suggestion about the H and L dimension?


What is the minimum acceptable values for H?
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
April 23, 2016 03:36PM
Any further developments? This was interesting
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
June 05, 2016 08:58AM
Hi, I can confirm that the developments continue.
There are some issues about the actuators but we are working on developing a dedicated microfabrication process.
In the next month we will apply for a technical competition and we hope to win the first prize in order to start with the microfabrication process.
Paolo
VDX
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
June 05, 2016 10:37AM
... good luck!


Viktor
--------
Aufruf zum Projekt "Müll-freie Meere" - [reprap.org] -- Deutsche Facebook-Gruppe - [www.facebook.com]

Call for the project "garbage-free seas" - [reprap.org]
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
June 06, 2016 02:39AM
Keep us informed !
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
July 12, 2016 12:47PM
We have applied to Create The Future Design Contest 2016
You can vote for it in the contest website
Design Contest 2016

Re: Variable diameter nozzle
July 13, 2016 02:57AM
Nice one. Just remember that FDM is a proprietary name only to be used by Stratasys. (oops I wrote it myself now, hope I don’t get sued)
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
September 08, 2016 05:31PM
Quote
josmaukcc
Nice one. Just remember that FDM is a proprietary name only to be used by Stratasys. (oops I wrote it myself now, hope I don’t get sued)

yeah, its FFF for everyone else, I said FFF in knowledgeable company and immediately they tried to correct me : /

But anyway, this looks awesome, hope one can make it to production. Im currently designing my own printer, and am thinking about having 3 extruders that would be set up as:
1 Main material .3mm nozzle for perimeters
2 Main material .8mm nozzle for infill
3 Support material/ secondary color .3mm

But this variable extruder would be way more elegant


If you need some help, or don't understand what I just said, feel free to send me a PM anytime

Printer: Prusa i3, 2 E3D v6 Hotends, Arduino + RAMPS 1.4 with a Bypassed 5V Regulator, 400w Insignia ATX PSU, Custom Designed Bowden Extruders
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
March 02, 2017 04:48AM
I couldn't help but wonder if a motor driven rotating disc with various nozzle-tip sizes wouldn't suffice for the same solution. Not sure if retraction would keep it clean enough during rotation - but if it was right on the end of the heat block it may stay hot enough to not even worry about it.
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
March 05, 2017 02:01AM
Just a quick picture of a variable nozzle size with two pinch discs.


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/05/2017 02:02AM by tgit23.
Re: Variable diameter nozzle
June 27, 2022 07:09AM
Hi, there is some New about the subject?
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