Maintenance for Material Jetting 355

Additive manufacturing

AM. The process of joining or solidifying materials to make an object based on a three-dimensional (3D) computer model. Additive manufacturing methods typically build up layers of material to create an object.

AM

Additive manufacturing. The process of joining or solidifying materials to make an object based on a three-dimensional (3D) computer model. AM manufacturing methods typically build up layers of material to create an object.

Backup servers

A digital device that copies and regularly updates data stored on a main server. Backup servers provide a buffer of security against data loss.

Build material

Substance that an additive manufacturing machine deposits to build a three-dimensional part. Build materials for material jetting machines are usually photopolymers but can be other materials, depending on the type of machine.

Build platform

The flat surface onto which an additive manufacturing (AM) machine deposits part build materials. Build platforms can either be a permanent machine surface or a surface that can be removed from a machine once the build is complete.

Calibration

To compare and adjust a device with unknown accuracy to match a device with a known, accurate standard. Machine calibration is required to eliminate any unwanted variation in production results.

Ceramic

A hard, brittle material that can withstand high temperatures and resist corrosion. Ceramics, which include metal oxides, nitrides, and glasses, are sometimes used as build material in additive manufacturing.

Cloud-based

Hosted on a remote server that is accessed through an internet connection. Cloud-based data storage can be cheaper than local storage but is less secure.

Composite

A material composed of two or more unlike materials that are bonded together without losing their individual properties or characteristics. Composites consist of a matrix material and a reinforcement material.

Computer-aided design

CAD. Computer software used to create a 3D model of a part before it goes into prototyping or production. Computer-aided design models are digital representations of the different aspects of a part.

Cure

To cause a polymer material to bond and solidify by permanently cross-linking its molecules. Curing techniques for photopolymers include exposing the material to ultraviolet (UV) light during the production process.

Cybersecurity

Protection against criminal or unauthorized access to computer networks, programs, and data. Cybersecurity has become a major industrial concern as networking and connectivity have increased.

Data analysis

The process of performing various calculations on organized data sets to gain new information from the data. Data analysis is required for predictive maintenance.

Downtime

A period of time during which production stops, often due to mechanical failure or maintenance needs. Downtime reduces the efficiency of a manufacturing operation and should always be limited as much as possible.

Drop-on-demand

A material jetting technology common in the inkjet printing industry that deposits material directly in the correct areas rather than depositing the material evenly across the entire build. Most material jetting machines use drop-on-demand technology.

Electrical shock

The flow of electricity through the body. Electric shock can be fatal at high enough levels, generally starting around 0.01 amperes of current.

Enterprise resource planning

ERP. A software application that manages and improves the use of company assets and supplies, from production scheduling to inventory control and production orders. Enterprise resource planning systems can utilize dozens of integrated modules, such as material requirements planning, which are often integrated into the product lifecycle management, manufacturing execution systems, and supply chain management systems.

Error codes

An alphanumeric message that references a specific cause of malfunction. Error codes appear on the material jetting machine interface and can be cross-referenced in the manual.

Humidity sensors

A type of sensor that detects or measures water vapor. Humidity sensors help detect humidity levels that could be damaging to build materials.

Insulated gloves

A protective hand covering made of insulating rubber that reduces the risk of injury and electric shock. Insulated gloves protect electricians when working on live wires or electrical equipment.

Intensity

A measurement that describes the strength of energy being transmitted during a process. The intensity of the UV light on a material jetting machine may require adjusting after maintenance.

Leveling roller

A cylindrical device used in additive manufacturing (AM) to either deposit and level build material or fuse layers of a part together. Rollers are used to level material in material jetting, vat photopolymerization, binder jetting, powder bed fusion (PBF), and sheet lamination methods.

Lifecycle

The entire timeline of an asset, from its design, production, and use to its disposal and replacement. A product's lifecycle can be extended with predictive maintenance.

Liquid metal jetting

LMJ. An advanced material jetting process that builds parts using molten, liquid metal. Liquid metal jetting creates metal parts without a binding agent.

LMJ

Liquid metal jetting. An advanced material jetting process that builds parts using molten, liquid metal. Liquid metal jetting, unlike nanoparticle jetting, creates parts without a binding agent.

Local area network

LANs. A type of wired network that enables communication between a group of computing devices in a specific geographic location. Local area networks are commonly used by manufacturers and other organizations to limit the exchange of digital information to onsite devices and prevent outside access.

Manufacturing execution system

MES. A software application that monitors and analyzes machine and process performance data related to processing materials and producing finished products. Manufacturing execution systems can be used to integrate performance data from multiple machines, monitor quality, and manage the execution of production tasks.

Material cartridges

An industrial receptacle used to hold fluid materials. Material cartridges are used to hold liquid photopolymers or liquid carrier materials that hold metal or ceramic particles.

Material delivery system

The collection of components on an additive manufacturing machine that transport the build materials onto the build surface. The material delivery system on a material jetting machine includes the material cartridges, pneumatic or piezoelectric actuation mechanism, delivery tubes, and print head nozzles.

Material jetting

An additive manufacturing process that selectively deposits droplets of build material onto a build platform and cures it using ultraviolet (UV) light or other methods. Material jetting generally includes Polyjetting, which uses photopolymer resins, but can also include nanoparticle jetting and liquid metal jetting.

Nanoparticle jetting

NPJ. A material jetting process that builds parts using ceramic or metal nanoparticles suspended in a binder that evaporates. Nanoparticle jetting can potentially create parts designed for heavier use than photopolymer material jetting.

Nozzle cleaning procedure

An automated procedure that runs on material jetting machines to flush the print nozzles. Nozzle cleaning procedures are typically run at the end of each printing cycle.

nozzles

A spout at the end of piping or tubing used for funneling substances. Nozzles are used to distribute build material during some additive manufacturing processes.

NPJ

Nanoparticle jetting. A material jetting process that builds parts using ceramic or metal nanoparticles suspended in a binder that evaporates. NPJ can potentially create parts designed for heavier use than photopolymer material jetting.

Part geometry

The linear and curved shapes that characterize a part based on design specifications. Highly accurate part geometry is one of the key advantages of material jetting.

Personal protective equipment

PPE. An article of clothing or a device worn to minimize exposure to hazards and prevent injury. Personal protective equipment may include safety glasses, safety gloves, ear plugs, respirators, or steel-toed boots.

Photopolymer

A thermoset polymer that cures and hardens when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Photopolymers are used in material jetting.

Photoreactive resin

A polymer material that chemically reacts to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Photoreactive resins solidify and harden when exposed to UV light.

Planned maintenance optimization

PMO. A manufacturing improvement method that increases production and reduces waste through continuous attention to the condition of machines and processes. The main goal of planned maintenance optimization is to maximize equipment usefulness across its lifespan.

Post-processing

Machines or devices used to perform processes on parts after printing. Post-processing equipment for material jetting may include water jetting machines and heat treatment devices.

PPE

An article of clothing or a device worn to minimize exposure to hazards and prevent injury. PPE may include safety glasses, safety gloves, ear plugs, respirators, or steel-toed boots.

Predictive maintenance

PdM. A maintenance approach that involves collecting and analyzing data in order to service a machine before maintenance issues arise. Predictive maintenance involves performing maintenance when conditions arise that have led to problems in the past, which helps prevent unscheduled downtime.

Print head

The moving component on a printing machine that holds and distributes the part build material. Additive manufacturing machines, such as those used in material jetting or binder jetting, have print heads.

Print optimization

Procedures that operators run on material jetting machines to improve printing accuracy. Print optimization includes calibration and other processes.

Raw data

Unstructured digital information produced directly from a data source that has not been analyzed. Raw data is produced in immense amounts from manufacturing processes and collected by sensors.

Safety glasses

Protective eyewear, usually made of thick plastic, which shields the eyes from flying debris. Safety glasses offer protection from impact, dust, chips, splashes, and sometimes ultraviolet (UV) light.

Scraper

A tool with a handle and a wide, flat blade. Scrapers are used in additive manufacturing to separate plastic parts from build platforms.

Sensors

A device that detects a change in a physical condition and turns it into an electrical signal. Sensors are common analog input devices that respond to variable conditions, such as pressure, temperature, or humidity.

Support materials

Material that an additive manufacturing (AM) machine deposits to build support structures for a part. Support materials for standard material jetting processes are typically wax materials.

Thermal sensors

A type of sensing device that measures temperature values. Thermal sensors may be used in production machines or in the production environment to detect hazardous operating temperatures.

Ultraviolet lamps

UV lamps. A device that gives off a potentially harmful wavelength of light that is below or shorter than violet on the light spectrum. Ultraviolet lamps are used to selectively solidify photopolymers in material jetting.

UV lamps

Ultraviolet lamps. A device that gives off a potentially harmful wavelength of light that is below or shorter than violet on the light spectrum. Ultraviolet lamps are used to selectively solidify photopolymers in material jetting.

Viscosity

A measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. Low viscosity fluids, such as water and mineral oil, flow more easily than high viscosity fluids, which tend to be thick and sticky.

Warranty

A statement guaranteeing a product's ability to function for a specific time and that it will be replaced or repaired by the manufacturer if it fails within that time frame. The manufacturer's warranty can be voided if personnel perform any improper or unauthorized maintenance actions.

Water jetting

The use of forced water, often with abrasives, to perform processes on a manufactured part. Water jetting uses jets submerged under water to remove support materials from a part build.