VOLUME ELEMENT PRINTING SYSTEM WITH PRINTHEAD GROUPS OF VARYING VERTICAL DISPLACEMENT FROM SUBSTRATE
First Claim
1. A volume element (voxel) printing system for printing a three-dimensional object, the system comprising:
- a first printhead group having a plurality of first printheads configured to print a first voxel layer on a substrate;
at least one second printhead group having a plurality of second printheads downstream from the first group, the second printhead group configured to print a subsequent voxel layer on at least part of the first layer, said second printheads being reconfigurable as backup printheads for the first printheads in case of failure;
a conveyor configured to convey the substrate past the printhead groups; and
a control system configured to control and monitor the printhead groups, the object insertion device, and the conveyor, and dynamically to reconfigure the second printheads upon detection of failure of a first printhead, whereinthe at least one second printhead group is vertically spaced from the substrate by a greater distance than the first printhead group.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A volume element (voxel) printing system for printing a three-dimensional object includes a first printhead group having a plurality of first printheads configured to print a first voxel layer on a substrate; at least one second printhead group having a plurality of second printheads downstream from the first group, the second printhead group configured to print a subsequent voxel layer on at least part of the first layer, said second printheads being reconfigurable as backup printheads for the first printheads in case of failure; a conveyor configured to convey the substrate past the printhead groups; and a control system configured to control and monitor the printhead groups, the object insertion device, and the conveyor, and dynamically to reconfigure the second printheads upon detection of failure of a first printhead. The at least one second printhead group is vertically spaced from the substrate by a greater distance than the first printhead group.
-
Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A volume element (voxel) printing system for printing a three-dimensional object, the system comprising:
-
a first printhead group having a plurality of first printheads configured to print a first voxel layer on a substrate; at least one second printhead group having a plurality of second printheads downstream from the first group, the second printhead group configured to print a subsequent voxel layer on at least part of the first layer, said second printheads being reconfigurable as backup printheads for the first printheads in case of failure; a conveyor configured to convey the substrate past the printhead groups; and a control system configured to control and monitor the printhead groups, the object insertion device, and the conveyor, and dynamically to reconfigure the second printheads upon detection of failure of a first printhead, wherein the at least one second printhead group is vertically spaced from the substrate by a greater distance than the first printhead group. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
Specification