Design and Optimization of a Heat Sink for Multi-Material Co-Extrusion in Additive Manufacturing
摘要
Pellet-based extrusion offers a versatile approach for material input in additive manufacturing (AM), eliminating filament production costs and enabling a wide range of materials. However, this technology has yet to find widespread adoption in 3D printing, where filament-based systems dominate the market. One of the primary challenges in pellet-based AM processes is the continuous heating of the material, leading to overheating within the hopper-barrel assembly. This overheating causes coagulation and flow disruption at the feeding zone, hindering the extrusion process. To overcome this limitation, the present research work focuses on the development of a specialized heat sink tailored for integrated multi-material additive manufacturing technology. The heat sink efficiently regulates the temperature of the material within the hopper-barrel assembly, preventing overheating and ensuring a stable material feed. The overall reliability and performance of pellet-based extrusion are improved through the proposed innovative approach, which ultimately expands the capabilities of additive manufacturing processes.