Patent classifications
B29C64/343
APPARATUSES FOR ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURING THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECTS
The present disclosure describes an apparatus for additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object. The apparatus includes a radiation source, a carrier on which the three-dimensional object is made, an applicator assembly configured to apply a polymerizable liquid, and a frame, with the applicator assembly and the radiation source connected to the frame. A first drive assembly interconnects the applicator assembly and the frame and a second drive assembly interconnects the carrier and the frame. The frame defines a build region between the applicator assembly and the carrier. The applicator assembly includes a polymerizable liquid supply chamber, an application roller, and a metering roller. The applicator assembly may optionally include a post-metering roller. An apparatus comprising a first and a second applicator assembly and a smaller scale version of the apparatus are also described.
Apparatus, system, and method of characterizing filament properties and adjusting 3D printer parameters for decreased filament deposition variability
An apparatus, a system, and a method for improvements in fused filament fabrication (FFF). Characteristics of a filament may be measured during production of the filament and the characteristics stored in a memory for retrieval by a 3D printer. The 3D printer adjusts print settings as necessary based on the measured characteristics, thereby resulting in better print quality.
Additive manufacturing apparatus, system and method
A system and method for providing centrifuge-based additive object manufacturing includes a rotating drum containing a photopolymer material that solidifies when irradiated by a light source, the photopolymer material spreads evenly over an item being manufactured when the rotating drum is in motion, a light source module emitting a light capable of solidifying the photopolymer material, a set of platform actuator elements coupled to a plurality of perforated platforms for controlling a position of the plurality of perforated platforms within the rotating drum while in operation, and a photopolymer material delivery system for adding a controlled amount of the photopolymer material into the rotating drum. The light source module moves inside the rotating drum and selectively emits its light solidifying the part of the layer above the plurality of perforated platforms in the areas crossing the object currently being manufactured.
Three-dimensional printing control
A three-dimensional (3D) object production system and methods for 3D printing reactive components to form a thermoset product. The disclosure relates to Use of a 3D printer having a controller comprising one or more processors to print a 3D object. The disclosure also provides a 3D object production system and methods for 3D printing comprising adjusting one or more parameters of an at least one actuator to produce a 3D object based on a reaction rate between reactive components.
Inkjet 3D printing of multi-component resins
An inkjet printer includes a mixer and a metering system that system provides appropriate amounts of the resin's precursors into the mixer. The mixer thoroughly mixes these precursors and feeds the resulting resin to the printheads. The inkjet printer may include a cleaning system that removes residual resin during or after printing.
Inkjet 3D printing of multi-component resins
An inkjet printer includes a mixer and a metering system that system provides appropriate amounts of the resin's precursors into the mixer. The mixer thoroughly mixes these precursors and feeds the resulting resin to the printheads. The inkjet printer may include a cleaning system that removes residual resin during or after printing.
SOLID FREEFORM FABRICATION USING A PLURALITY OF MODELING MATERIALS
A system and methods for solid freeform fabrication of an object is disclosed. The system comprises a solid freeform fabrication apparatus having a plurality of dispensing heads, a building material supply apparatus configured to supply a plurality of building materials to the fabrication apparatus, and a control unit configured for controlling the fabrication apparatus and the supply apparatus based on an operation mode selected from a plurality of predetermined operation modes.
Method and apparatus for determining extrudate flow in three-dimensional (3D) printing
An additive manufacturing apparatus, and corresponding method, determine a mass (or volume) output flow rate of extrudate used in three-dimensional (3D) printing, and such determination is insensitive to rheological properties of a material of the extrudate being printed. A thermal energy balance on a liquefying extrusion head enables a load on a heater, used to heat the extrusion head, to be related to the output flow rate of extrudate. Based on the thermal energy balance, the output flow rate may be determined based on a duty cycle of the heater. The output flow rate may be employed to affect the 3D printing to prevent over- or under-extrusion of the extrudate and to identify a fault condition.
Method and apparatus for determining extrudate flow in three-dimensional (3D) printing
An additive manufacturing apparatus, and corresponding method, determine a mass (or volume) output flow rate of extrudate used in three-dimensional (3D) printing, and such determination is insensitive to rheological properties of a material of the extrudate being printed. A thermal energy balance on a liquefying extrusion head enables a load on a heater, used to heat the extrusion head, to be related to the output flow rate of extrudate. Based on the thermal energy balance, the output flow rate may be determined based on a duty cycle of the heater. The output flow rate may be employed to affect the 3D printing to prevent over- or under-extrusion of the extrudate and to identify a fault condition.
DETECTION OF DEFORMATION OF VATS
Device (1) for a system for layer-by-layer construction of a body (K) from a substance (S) which can be hardened by radiation, comprising a vat (3) having a vat base (2) for receiving the substance (S) which can be hardened by radiation, comprising a building platform (4) which is arranged above the vat base (2) and which is height-adjustable in relation to the vat base (2) and comprising a sensor (5) cooperating with the vat base (2), wherein the vat base (2) is configured to be at least partially flexible, wherein a chamber (6) is provided wherein the chamber (6) is delimited by an underside of the vat base (2), wherein the sensor (5) is adapted to detect a volume change of the chamber (6) and to provide a sensor signal from which a sign of the volume change can be determined.