3D PRINTING USING SPIRAL BUILDUP
First Claim
1. A device for three-dimensional (3D) printing of structures in a vertical orientation, comprising:
- a construction frame,a material dispenser with a flowable build material in said material dispenser,a construction area and a separate build platform, both positioned horizontally within said construction frame and configured for inverted build of a solidified 3D structure there between, said build platform moveable vertically within and configured to rotate within said construction frame,the material dispenser being positioned to deliver the flowable material onto an exposure zone of an upper surface of the construction area, anda solidification mechanism positioned to deliver a solidifying medium to the flowable material located on the exposure zone,said build platform configured to receive and retain the build material delivered on to the upper surface of the construction area as the build material solidifies and to move vertically upward and rotating within the construction frame.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, devices and systems for efficient 3D printing that address conventional inefficiencies while utilizing a single compact device are set forth. Some embodiments utilize a circular-shaped build area revolving symmetrically around a single center point utilizing a continuous helical printing process. In one embodiment a liquid photopolymer for solidification is deposited on a build platform to form the physical object The Build platform is continuously rotated and simultaneously raised in a gradual programmed manner. Focused from below the platform produces a single continuous “layer” of material deposited and bonded in a helical fashion.
265 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A device for three-dimensional (3D) printing of structures in a vertical orientation, comprising:
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a construction frame, a material dispenser with a flowable build material in said material dispenser, a construction area and a separate build platform, both positioned horizontally within said construction frame and configured for inverted build of a solidified 3D structure there between, said build platform moveable vertically within and configured to rotate within said construction frame, the material dispenser being positioned to deliver the flowable material onto an exposure zone of an upper surface of the construction area, and a solidification mechanism positioned to deliver a solidifying medium to the flowable material located on the exposure zone, said build platform configured to receive and retain the build material delivered on to the upper surface of the construction area as the build material solidifies and to move vertically upward and rotating within the construction frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. The 3D printing device of claim 19, wherein said imaging unit comprise at least one image recording system.
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20. A three-dimensional (3D) printing device, comprising:
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a material dispenser for delivery of a solidifyable liquid; a material solidification mechanism for causing the liquid to solidify, a build platform; and a construction area having an exposure zone on an upper surface thereof, said build platform and said construction area configured for delivery of the solidifyable material to a space between the exposure zone and a lower surface of the build platform, said construction area and said build platform being positioned in substantially parallel planes, wherein said build platform is configured to rotate in relationship to the construction area and continuously increase the distance between the build platform and the construction area such that rotation of said build platform causes portions of said build material delivered to said space and solidified into a structure is retained on the lower surface of the build platform. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33)
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31. The 3D printing device of claim 31, wherein said material containers are removable and replaceable.
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34. A method for building a s 3D structure by a continuous inverted buildup procedure, comprising the steps of:
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a. depositing a build material between a build platform and a substrate such that said build material is deposited on the substrate, b. treating said build material such that portions of said build material are selectively solidified and adhere to prior solidified build material and to said build platform but not the substrate; and c. rotating and continuously increasing the distance between the build platform and the substrate. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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Specification