Comprehensive performance of a low-cost spring-assisted mechanism for digital light processing

Abstract

In the field of additive layer manufacturing, constrained-surface digital light processing has attracted considerable attention due to its high precision and low material loss. During the process of separating the cured layer from the resin tank, the high separation force generated by the pulling-up mechanism increases the printing failure rate and reduces the life cycle of the resin tank. Although changing the separation mechanism can significantly reduce the separation force, this often has the tradeoff of high equipment costs. This study comprehensively evaluated the performance of a low-cost spring-assisted mechanism for the separation process. The Taguchi method was used to confirm the variability of the spring-assisted mechanism and obtain the parameters that minimize the separation force and time. The spring-assisted mechanism was then applied to printing different geometric shapes and areas, and the results demonstrated better manufacturing stability than the pulling-up or tilting mechanism. A linear regression equation was established to predict the separation force of specific geometric shapes and areas to greatly reduce the calculation costs and time.