Apparatus and Process for Forming Three-Dimensional Objects
First Claim
1. An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object, comprising:
- a head assembly comprising;
a 3D printing head for fabricating a first portion of the 3D object by forming a plurality of successive layers of a first material;
a delivery head for fabricating a second portion of the 3D object by dispensing onto the first portion of the 3D object a plurality of layers of a continuous-fiber reinforced second material, and comprising a roller for pressing the continuous-fiber reinforced second material into place during the dispensing thereof;
a gantry robot or an articulated arm robot with five or more axes of movement and configured to move the head assembly in all of the five or more axes of movement simultaneously; and
a controller for receiving a dataset corresponding to a 3D object model and for controlling the gantry robot or the articulated arm robot, the 3D printing head and the delivery head to form the 3D object based on the dataset.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object includes a 3D printing head, for fabricating a first portion of the 3D object by forming a plurality of successive layers of a first material. The apparatus also includes a delivery head for fabricating a second portion of the 3D object by dispensing onto the first portion of the 3D object a plurality of layers of a continuous-fiber reinforced second material. Further, the delivery head includes comprising a roller for pressing the continuous-fiber reinforced second material into place during the dispensing thereof. A controller controls the 3D printing head and the delivery head to cooperatively form the 3D object, based on a dataset corresponding to a 3D object model.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional (3D) object, comprising:
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a head assembly comprising; a 3D printing head for fabricating a first portion of the 3D object by forming a plurality of successive layers of a first material; a delivery head for fabricating a second portion of the 3D object by dispensing onto the first portion of the 3D object a plurality of layers of a continuous-fiber reinforced second material, and comprising a roller for pressing the continuous-fiber reinforced second material into place during the dispensing thereof; a gantry robot or an articulated arm robot with five or more axes of movement and configured to move the head assembly in all of the five or more axes of movement simultaneously; and a controller for receiving a dataset corresponding to a 3D object model and for controlling the gantry robot or the articulated arm robot, the 3D printing head and the delivery head to form the 3D object based on the dataset. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6-10. -10. (canceled)
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11. A process for forming a three-dimensional object, comprising:
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receiving a dataset corresponding to a 3D object model; using a controller, controlling a gantry robot or an articulated arm robot to move a head assembly carried thereby in all of five or more axes of movement supported by the gantry robot or the articulated arm robot, simultaneously, to form the 3D object by; fabricating a first portion of the 3D object based on the dataset by forming a plurality of successive layers of a first material using a 3D printing head; and fabricating a second portion of the 3D object based on the dataset by dispensing onto the first portion of the 3D object a plurality of layers of a continuous-fiber reinforced second material using a delivery head and pressing the continuous-fiber reinforced second material into place during the dispensing thereof. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 42, 43)
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18-19. -19. (canceled)
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21-41. -41. (canceled)
Specification