Developments of three new drip emitters with mini-scale and complex inner channels by using rapid prototyping and manufacturing
(0) Drip emitters are the key functional parts that realize the water-saving purpose of drip irrigation systems. However, it is very difficult to develop new types of drip emitters because of their mini-scale (the cross-sectional area ranges from 0.5mm to 1.0mm) and complex inner channels. In this study, we designed three drip emitters with novel channel forms, and transformed these ideas into real models by use of rapid prototyping and manufacturing (RPM). We focused on the effects of three different materials on emitters hydraulic performances especially. Firstly, three new types of emitters with photosensitive resin were manufactured by use of the rapid prototyping method of SLA (Stereolithography Apparatus).Then, the emitters with polyurethane (PU) material similar to ABS plastic were duplicated by using vacuum casting technology, in which the SLA prototype was used as the sample model for making a silicone rubber soft-tool. Comparing with plastic emitters produced by the steel tool of injection, the discharge of the emitter prototypes fabricated by SLA and vacuum casting methods were measured under nine different pressures that include 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, and 250KPa. The results showed that the discharge of SLA and vacuum casting emitters were about 17.8% and 11.1% smaller than that of plastic emitters respectively, which means that the hydraulic accuracy of SLA emitters can be increased by a factor of using vacuum casting. In addition, the development cost and cycle were saved by more than 75% without manufacturing steel moulds. After series of hydraulic experiments and structure optimizations, three types of drip emitters, including eddy drip-arrows, pre-depositing drippers and round-flow drip-tapes were developed successfully.
drip emitter rapid prototyping SLA (stereolithography apparatus) vacuum casting hydraulic error
Lu Gang Liu Jie Wei Qingsong Shi Yusheng Wang Li Dong Wenchu
State Key Laboratory of Material Forming and Die&Mould Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan China, 430074
国际会议
北京
英文
307-314
2008-11-06（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）