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APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRINTING THREE DIMENSIONAL ARTICLES

  • US 20130314460A1
  • Filed: 08/01/2013
  • Published: 11/28/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for printing an image onto a curved surface of a three dimensional article, the apparatus comprising:

  • a support fixture adapted to support the article;

    an ink jet print head having a plurality of nozzles coupled to a source of printing medium;

    an articulatable robotic arm, one of the print head and the support fixture being mounted to and carried by the robotic arm, the robotic arm having more than three degrees of freedom of movement and being moveable so as to cause relative movement of the print head along a series of scanning paths following surface contour of the curved surface of the article;

    a controller coupled to the robotic arm and being configured to cause articulation of the robotic arm so as to cause relative movement of the print head along the series of scanning paths, the controller causing the robotic arm to continuously locate the print head relative to the curved surface of the article in a position suitable for printing as the print head is moved along the series of scanning paths, the controller coupled to the print head and further configured to cause the plurality of nozzles to eject printing medium at predetermined locations along the scanning paths so as to form the image on the curved surface of the substrate; and

    a sensor configured to sense part features on the curved surface of the part, wherein the controller is configured to cause the plurality of nozzles to eject printing medium based on the sensing of part features by the sensor;

    wherein the controller is configured to cause articulation of the robotic arm to position the print head at an orientation normal to the curved surface of the article.

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