Systems and methods for 3D printing with multiple exchangeable printheads
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A 3D printer system for printing a workpiece, comprisinga printhead module;
- one or more printheads,wherein the printhead module comprises first mechanical interfaces and first electrical interfaces for coupling with the one or more printheads,wherein the printheads comprise second mechanical interfaces and second electrical interfaces for coupling with the printhead module,wherein the first and second mechanical interfaces are configured to be mated with each other,wherein the first and second electrical interfaces are configured to be connected with each other,wherein the one or more printheads are configured to be exchangeably installed in the printhead module through the first and second mechanical and electrical interfaces,wherein a first printhead of the one or more printheads is installed in the printhead module;
a platform module, wherein the platform module is configured to support the workpiece;
a motion module, wherein the motion module is configured to move the printhead module in three dimensional directions relative to the platform module;
a controller module, wherein the controller module is configured to accept the first printhead.
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Abstract
A modular 3D printer system can include a base subsystem and multiple exchangeable components. The base subsystem can have a 3D motion module, a printhead module and a platform module. The multiple exchangeable components can include printheads having different configurations and functionalities, which can be exchangeably installed in the printhead module. The multiple exchangeable components can include platform supports having different configurations and functionalities, which can be exchangeably installed in the platform module.
126 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A 3D printer system for printing a workpiece, comprising
a printhead module; -
one or more printheads, wherein the printhead module comprises first mechanical interfaces and first electrical interfaces for coupling with the one or more printheads, wherein the printheads comprise second mechanical interfaces and second electrical interfaces for coupling with the printhead module, wherein the first and second mechanical interfaces are configured to be mated with each other, wherein the first and second electrical interfaces are configured to be connected with each other, wherein the one or more printheads are configured to be exchangeably installed in the printhead module through the first and second mechanical and electrical interfaces, wherein a first printhead of the one or more printheads is installed in the printhead module; a platform module, wherein the platform module is configured to support the workpiece; a motion module, wherein the motion module is configured to move the printhead module in three dimensional directions relative to the platform module; a controller module, wherein the controller module is configured to accept the first printhead. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system, comprising
a printhead module; -
wherein the printhead module comprises first mechanical interfaces and first electrical interfaces for coupling with one or more printheads, wherein the one or more printheads are configured to be exchangeably installed in the printhead module through the first mechanical and electrical interfaces; a platform module, wherein the platform module is configured to support a workpiece; a motion module, wherein the motion module is configured to move the printhead module in three dimensional directions relative to the platform module; a controller module, wherein the controller module comprises a controlled area network bus (CAN bus), wherein the CAN bus is coupled to the first electrical interfaces; wherein the controller module is configured to automatically configured a printhead of the one or more printheads installed in the printhead module through the CAN bus. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A system, comprising
a printhead module; -
one or more printheads, wherein the printhead module comprises first mechanical interfaces and first electrical interfaces for coupling with the one or more printheads, wherein the printheads comprise second mechanical interfaces and second electrical interfaces for coupling with the printhead module, wherein the first and second mechanical interfaces are configured to be mated with each other, wherein the first and second electrical interfaces are configured to be connected with each other, wherein the one or more printheads are configured to be exchangeably installed in the printhead module through the first and second mechanical and electrical interfaces, wherein a first printhead of the one or more printheads is installed in the printhead module; a platform module, wherein the platform module is configured to support a workpiece; a motion module, wherein the motion module is configured to move the printhead module in three dimensional directions relative to the platform module; a controller module, wherein the controller module comprises a controlled area network bus (CAN bus), wherein the CAN bus is coupled to the first electrical interfaces; wherein the controller module is configured to automatically configured the first printhead through the CAN bus. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification