Convection cooling techniques in selective deposition modeling

摘要

A convection cooling technique for selective deposition modeling utilizing a venturi duct to establish a low-pressure port for drawing a second flow of air into the duct. The second flow of air is drawn across a heat generating component in the selective deposition modeling apparatus. A low-pressure zone is established at the low-pressure port sufficient to meet the head loss that results when drawing the second flow across the heat generating component and into the venturi duct. A desired flow rate is achieved at a pressure drop that is greater than that possible by the direct use of a fan. The cooling system is well suited for use in providing steady state cooling of radiation exposure systems used in selective deposition modeling to initiate curing of the layers of dispensed material.