Apparatus for three dimensional printing using image layers
First Claim
1. A three-dimensional printer (3DP) adapted to generate an object assembled from a plurality of cross sections, comprising:
- a first surface adapted to receive a layer of sinterable powder;
a radiant energy source adapted to fuse at least a portion of the layer of sinterable powder on the first surface into a sintered image, the sintered image corresponding to one of said cross sections; and
a transfer mechanism adapted to transfer the sintered image from the first surface to the object being assembled.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A three-dimensional printer adapted to construct three dimensional objects is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the printer includes a first surface adapted to receive a bulk layer of sinterable powder, a polymer such as nylon powder; a radiant energy source, e.g., an incoherent heat source adapted to focus the heat energy to sinter an image from the layer of sinterable powder; and a transfer mechanism adapted to transfer or print the sintered image from the first surface to the object being assembled while fusing the sintered image to the object being assembled. The transfer mechanism is preferably adapted to simultaneously deposit and fuse the sintered image to the object being assembled. The process of generating an image and transferring it to the object being assembled is repeated for each cross section until the assembled object is completed.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A three-dimensional printer (3DP) adapted to generate an object assembled from a plurality of cross sections, comprising:
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a first surface adapted to receive a layer of sinterable powder;
a radiant energy source adapted to fuse at least a portion of the layer of sinterable powder on the first surface into a sintered image, the sintered image corresponding to one of said cross sections; and
a transfer mechanism adapted to transfer the sintered image from the first surface to the object being assembled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A three-dimensional printer (3DP) adapted to generate an object assembled from a plurality of cross sections, comprising:
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a drum adapted to receive a layer consisting of sinterable powder;
powder applicator adapted to;
dispense sinterable powder to the drum, and normalize the density of sinterable powder dispensed to the drum;
an incoherent energy source is adapted to focus the energy and fuse at least a portion of the layer of sinterable powder on the drum into a sintered image, the sintered image corresponding to one of said cross sections;
a transfer mechanism adapted to concurrently;
transfer the sintered image from the first surface to the object being assembled, and fuse the sintered image to the object being assembled;
a first heating element adapted to hold the object being assembled at a first predetermined temperature; and
a second heating element adapted to hold a surface of the object being assembled at a second determined temperature during assembly of the object.
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47. A method of generating an object assembled from a plurality of cross sections, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating a layer comprising sinterable powder on a first surface;
generating a sintered image using a radiant energy source adapted to fuse at least a portion of the layer of sinterable powder on the first surface; and
transferring the sintered image from the first surface to the object being assembled. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50)
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Specification