Method And Apparatus Of Very Much Faster 3D Printer
First Claim
1. A 3D printing process to enhance the speed of printing by known process, the improvement includes performing a pre-printing analysis, comprising the steps of:
- a. Converting pixel based raster images into Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG) images;
b. Categorization of SVG images into two, three or more categories;
c. For each category, optimizing printing methods for printing with pre-formed shapes such as rods, boards, arcs, etc., instead of printing with pixels;
d. Computing optimal placements of the pre-formed shapes and storing the placements in the memory of a computer;
e. Communicating the memory of the computer to a print-head configured to handle the pre-formed shapes; and
f. Employing one or more print-heads simultaneously.
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Abstract
A 3D printer that is mostly twenty to thirty times faster than existing 3D printers. Pixel-based Raster images are converted into Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG) images, which are then categorized as lines, curves and surface areas. For each category, faster printing methods for printing with pre-formed shapes such as rods, boards, arcs, etc., are disclosed. Pre-formed shapes may be made of plastic/thermoplastic/polymer or sintering materials, as desired. Sintering materials may be cladded/coated with appropriate materials such as solder, copper, and thermoplastics. The new print-head, which has a fixed portion and a replaceable portion, has a mechanism to draw upon pre-formed shapes to print. The replaceable portion has varying shapes and sizes of placement holes, and a mechanism to signal which replaceable portion has been mounted. The print-head incorporates mechanisms to heat and tack the pre-formed shapes. The invention discloses methods to use multiple print-heads to further speed up printing.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A 3D printing process to enhance the speed of printing by known process, the improvement includes performing a pre-printing analysis, comprising the steps of:
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a. Converting pixel based raster images into Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG) images; b. Categorization of SVG images into two, three or more categories; c. For each category, optimizing printing methods for printing with pre-formed shapes such as rods, boards, arcs, etc., instead of printing with pixels; d. Computing optimal placements of the pre-formed shapes and storing the placements in the memory of a computer; e. Communicating the memory of the computer to a print-head configured to handle the pre-formed shapes; and f. Employing one or more print-heads simultaneously. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification