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Methods and apparatus for additive manufacturing of glass

  • US 10,266,442 B2
  • Filed: 01/23/2018
  • Issued: 04/23/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:

  • (a) a crucible kiln that includes heating elements;

    (b) a nozzle;

    (c) an annealing kiln;

    (d) a build platform that is located inside the annealing kiln; and

    (e) a set of actuators that are configured (1) to cause the crucible kiln and the nozzle to move horizontally relative to the annealing kiln while the crucible kiln and the nozzle remain stationary relative to each other, and (2) to cause the build platform to move vertically relative to the nozzle;

    wherein(i) the heating elements of the crucible kiln are configured to melt and fine glass material in the crucible kiln, to produce a molten glass material,(ii) the crucible kiln is positioned above and exterior to the annealing kiln, and(iii) the apparatus is configured to cause the molten glass material to undergo an extruding, in which the molten glass material is extruded through the nozzle to form an object, in such a way that(A) the molten glass material is, while exiting the nozzle, located inside the annealing kiln, and(B) during the extruding(I) temperature in the crucible kiln is higher than temperature in the annealing kiln,(II) the object being formed rests on the build platform inside the annealing kiln, and(III) the molten glass material travels downward from the crucible kiln, through the nozzle, and into the annealing kiln.

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