APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR HANDLING MATERIALS IN A 3-D PRINTER

• US 20110211016A1
• Filed: 05/13/2011
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc. (3D Systems Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Z CORPORATION (A Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Hernandez, Andres T., Davidson, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US13/107,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20110211016A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/36
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 31/02 Dispensing from vessels, e.g. hoppers into a mould cavity B29C31/04; large containers characterised by discharge means B65D88/28, B65D88/54
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/153 using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/35 Cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/357 Recycling
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/251 Particles, powder or granules expandable particles B29K2105/046
• 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: Y10T 137/86187 Plural tanks or compartments connected for serial flow

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards methods and apparatus for handling powder in a 3D printer. The invention includes a means of transporting powder from multiple sources to a powder dispensing apparatus with minimal user intervention, thus reducing contamination of the 3D printer and surrounding area with loose powder, while also providing a means of improving the recycling of powder for re-use.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A waste handling system for a three-dimensional printer, the system comprising:

a receptacle for receiving printhead discharge material;

a holding receptacle in communication with the receiving receptacle, the holding receptacle comprising an absorptive medium adapted to absorb at least a portion of the printhead discharge material; and

a drain for channeling the printhead discharge material to the holding receptacle, wherein at least a portion of the printhead discharge material solidifies within the holding receptacle.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the holding receptacle is adapted to promote evaporation of at least a portion of the printhead discharge material.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the holding receptacle comprises an air transfer system for accelerating a rate of evaporation of the at least a portion of the printhead discharge material.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the air transfer system uses waste heat from the three-dimensional printer to accelerate the rate of evaporation.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the absorptive medium is removably disposed within the holding receptacle.