Portable 3D printer
First Claim
1. A portable three-dimensional, 3D, printer, comprising:
- a material supply system including a spool or a cartridge to supply printing material to a print engine;
the print engine including an extrusion system that comprises a heating block, the heating block including;
a top portion coupled to the material supply system to receive the printing material,a heating body positioned below the top portion, wherein the heating body is coupled to a heating element operable to supply heat to the heating body and heat up the printing material, the heating body further coupled to a temperature sensor operable to sense a temperature of the heating body, anda heat break portion positioned between the top portion and the heating body, the heat break portion having a first end in contact with the top portion, a second end in contact with the heating body, and a center, wherein each end has a larger cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the center to reduce heat transfer from the heating body to other components of the 3D printer;
a movement system that comprises;
an extruder carriage positioned to carry the extrusion system,multiple pulleys, each positioned to rotate around a vertical axis, wherein at least two of the multiple pulleys are stacked on top of one another to allow a compact design of the movement system, andone or more belts in contact with each of the multiple pulleys and with the extruder carriage to allow a horizontal movement of the extruder carriage;
a build platform positioned below the movement system to receive the printing material from the extrusion system; and
a printer body that encloses the extrusion system, the movement system, and the build platform, wherein the printer body includes an aperture to allow access to an internal space of the 3D printer, wherein the extrusion system includes a calibration sensor positioned to obtain a distance between the extrusion system and the build platform and is configured to detect a rotational movement of the extrusion system in relation to the build plate.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques, systems, and devices are described for implementing a portable and affordable 3D printer. One portable 3D printer includes a material supply system to supply printing material to a print engine. The print engine includes an extrusion system that comprises a heating block, which includes a top portion coupled to the material supply system to receive the printing material, a heating body to heat up the printing material, and a heat break portion positioned between the top portion and the heating body. The printer further includes a movement system to allow a horizontal movement of the extruder carriage, a build platform positioned below the movement system to receive the printing material from the extrusion system, and a printer body positioned to enclose the extrusion system, the movement system, and the build platform.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A portable three-dimensional, 3D, printer, comprising:
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a material supply system including a spool or a cartridge to supply printing material to a print engine; the print engine including an extrusion system that comprises a heating block, the heating block including; a top portion coupled to the material supply system to receive the printing material, a heating body positioned below the top portion, wherein the heating body is coupled to a heating element operable to supply heat to the heating body and heat up the printing material, the heating body further coupled to a temperature sensor operable to sense a temperature of the heating body, and a heat break portion positioned between the top portion and the heating body, the heat break portion having a first end in contact with the top portion, a second end in contact with the heating body, and a center, wherein each end has a larger cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the center to reduce heat transfer from the heating body to other components of the 3D printer; a movement system that comprises; an extruder carriage positioned to carry the extrusion system, multiple pulleys, each positioned to rotate around a vertical axis, wherein at least two of the multiple pulleys are stacked on top of one another to allow a compact design of the movement system, and one or more belts in contact with each of the multiple pulleys and with the extruder carriage to allow a horizontal movement of the extruder carriage; a build platform positioned below the movement system to receive the printing material from the extrusion system; and a printer body that encloses the extrusion system, the movement system, and the build platform, wherein the printer body includes an aperture to allow access to an internal space of the 3D printer, wherein the extrusion system includes a calibration sensor positioned to obtain a distance between the extrusion system and the build platform and is configured to detect a rotational movement of the extrusion system in relation to the build plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 29, 30)
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15. A portable three-dimensional, 3D, printer, comprising:
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a material supply system including a spool or a cartridge to supply printing material to a print engine; the print engine including an extrusion system positioned to receive the printing material from the material supply system; a movement system that comprises; one or more belts, multiple pulleys in contact with the one or more belts, each pulley positioned to rotate around a vertical axis, wherein at least two of the multiple pulleys are stacked on top of one another to allow a compact design of the movement system; and an extruder carriage in contact with the one or more belts, wherein the extruder carriage is positioned to carry the extrusion system and comprises an upper portion in contact with the one or more belts to allow a horizontal movement of the extruder carriage and a lower portion coupled to the extrusion system, the upper portion including a first wall generally parallel to the one or more belts, a second wall generally parallel to the first wall, a center portion located between the first wall and the second wall and spaced apart from the first wall and the second wall, and one or more coupling means that can adjustably pass through at least a section of the extruder carriage to make contact with a section of the one or more belts and to allow a tension adjustment of the one or more belts; a build platform positioned below the movement system to receive the printing material from the extrusion system; and a printer body positioned to enclose the extrusion system, the movement system, and the build platform, wherein the printer body includes a movable door to allow access to the build platform. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification