Three-dimensional printer

• US 20040012112A1
• Filed: 09/27/2002
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc. (3D Systems Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Z CORPORATION (A Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Kinsley, Joshua P., Zengerle, Walter H. III, Davidson, Thomas, Phillips, Robert A., Berlin, Andrew, Russell, David B., Sweet-Block, Benjamin Daniel, Kisai, Darul, Roche, Kevin, Hernandes, Andres T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,037,382 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 264/109
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 41/12 Spreading-out the material on a substrate , e.g. on the surface of a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/165 using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/35 Cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/357 Recycling
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0021 Multi-coloured
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 10/00 Processes of additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 40/00 Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 40/20 Post-treatment, e.g. curing, coating or polishing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16523 Waste ink transport from caps or spittoons, e.g. by suction Collecting or collectors of waste ink B41J2/1721
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16535 using wiping constructions B41J2/16552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16541 Means to remove deposits from wipers or scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16552 using cleaning fluids

Abstract

A three-dimensional printer uses inkjet-type printheads to rapidly prototype, or print, a three-dimensional model. A powder feeder includes a conveyor system and a metering system to deliver powder to a build area in measured quantities. The powder feeder also includes a vacuum system for loading powder into a feed reservoir or chamber. The vacuum system can also be used to cleanup excess powder. Other powder control features include powder gutters and magnetic powder plows. During printing, a cleaning system operates to remove powder from the printheads. In the event of a printhead or jet failure, the failure can be detected and corrective measures taken automatically. After printing, the model can be depowdered and infiltrated in an enclosure.

Claims