Apparatus and process for forming three-dimensional objects
First Claim
1. An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object, comprising:
- a 3D printing head for fabricating a first portion of the 3D object by forming a plurality of successive layers of a first material;
a delivery head for fabricating a second portion of the 3D object by dispensing onto the first portion of the 3D object a plurality of layers of a continuous-fiber reinforced second material, and the delivery head comprising;
a spool for supporting a supply of the continuous-fiber reinforced second material;
a pressing roller for pressing the continuous-fiber reinforced second material into place on the first portion of the 3D object during dispensing of said continuous-fiber reinforced second material;
feed rollers for advancing the continuous-fiber reinforced second material from the spool directly to the pressing roller; and
a heater directed to heat the continuous-fiber reinforced second material at a point where said second material makes contact with a surface of the 3D object being formed; and
a controller for receiving a dataset corresponding to a 3D object model and for directing the 3D printing head and the delivery head to cooperatively form the 3D object based on the dataset.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object includes a 3D printing head, for fabricating a first portion of the 3D object by forming a plurality of successive layers of a first material. The apparatus also includes a delivery head for fabricating a second portion of the 3D object by dispensing onto the first portion of the 3D object a plurality of layers of a continuous-fiber reinforced second material. Further, the delivery head includes comprising a roller for pressing the continuous-fiber reinforced second material into place during the dispensing thereof. A controller controls the 3D printing head and the delivery head to cooperatively form the 3D object, based on a dataset corresponding to a 3D object model.
11 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object, comprising:
-
a 3D printing head for fabricating a first portion of the 3D object by forming a plurality of successive layers of a first material; a delivery head for fabricating a second portion of the 3D object by dispensing onto the first portion of the 3D object a plurality of layers of a continuous-fiber reinforced second material, and the delivery head comprising; a spool for supporting a supply of the continuous-fiber reinforced second material; a pressing roller for pressing the continuous-fiber reinforced second material into place on the first portion of the 3D object during dispensing of said continuous-fiber reinforced second material; feed rollers for advancing the continuous-fiber reinforced second material from the spool directly to the pressing roller; and a heater directed to heat the continuous-fiber reinforced second material at a point where said second material makes contact with a surface of the 3D object being formed; and a controller for receiving a dataset corresponding to a 3D object model and for directing the 3D printing head and the delivery head to cooperatively form the 3D object based on the dataset. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A process for forming a three-dimensional object, comprising:
-
receiving a dataset corresponding to a 3D object model; fabricating a first portion of the 3D object based on the dataset by forming a plurality of successive layers of a first material using a 3D printing head; and fabricating a second portion of the 3D object based on the dataset by dispensing onto the first portion of the 3D object a plurality of layers of a continuous-fiber reinforced second material using a delivery head, directing a heater to heat the continuous-fiber reinforced second material at a point where said second material makes contact with a surface of the 3D object being formed, and pressing the continuous-fiber reinforced second material into place during the dispensing thereof using a pressing roller, wherein the continuous-fiber reinforced second material is advanced from feed rollers directly to the pressing roller. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification