Substrate mounting system for a three-dimensional modeling machine

• US 6,367,791 B1
• Filed: 07/07/2000
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Stratsys Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stratasys Incorporated
• Inventors: Hahn, Andrew M., Calderon, Joseph L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hughes, S. Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): COMPTON, ERIC B
• Application Number:
  US09/611,688
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 292/811, 292/816, 292/835, 269/289.R, 269/297, 269/299, 269/301, 269/302, 269/303, 269/305, 269/290, 269/291, 269/316, 269/318, 269/231, 269/43, 269/900
• US Class Current: 269/291
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/00 Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor extrusion blow-moulding B29C49/04
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/05 Filamentary, e.g. strands
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/106 using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/118 using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/40 Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 269/90 Supporting structure having work holder receiving apertures or projections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53961 with work-holder for assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53983 Work-supported apparatus

Abstract

A system for mounting a slab substrate in a three-dimensional modeling machine includes two parallel rails positioned on opposite sides of a modeling platform. A blade extends along each rail, each blade having an inward-facing knife edge. A slab substrate having a width which approximates the distance between the two rails and having slits in its sides is loaded in the machine by lining up the slits, respectively, with each blade and pushing the substrate towards the rear of the platform as the knife edges cut into the substrate. Preferably, the platform includes a rear stopper to stop rearward motion of the substrate. The platform preferably also includes a retaining means at its front edge that is actuated to lock the substrate into place on the platform during modeling. The substrate is removed from the platform by deactuating the retaining means, if any, grasping the substrate, and sliding the substrate towards the front of the platform.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removably mounting a slab substrate in a machine a that builds objects by depositing modeling material onto the substrate, the apparatus comprising:

a platform for supporting a slab substrate in a defined configuration, the platform being bound on two opposed sides by a pair of parallel rails and having an open front end through which a slab substrate may be slidably loaded onto the platform between the rails; and

a pair of blades mounted to the rails, each blade having an inward-facing knife edge protruding past its associated rail so as to penetrate the sides of a slab substrate being slidably loaded onto the platform, thereby adhering the substrate to the platform.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising:

a slab substrate having a width which approximates the distance between the rails and having pre-cut slits in its sides at a height corresponding to the distance from the platform to the knife edges, the slits having a depth less than the distance of the protrusion of the knife edges from the rails.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising:

a rear retaining means for confining a slab substrate at a rearward position of the platform.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, and further comprising:

a front retaining means for confining a slab substrate at a forward position of the platform.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, and further comprising:

a slab substrate having a width which approximates the distance between the rails, a length which approximates the distance from the forward position of the platform to the rearward position thereof, and having pre-cut slits in its sides at a height corresponding to the distance from the platform to the knife edges, the slits having a depth less than the distance of the protrusion of the knife edges from the rails.

6. An apparatus for removably mounting a slab substrate in a machine a that builds objects by depositing modeling material onto the substrate, the apparatus comprising:

a platform for supporting a slab substrate in a defined configuration, the platform being bound on two opposed sides by a means for confining and having an open front end through which a slab substrate may be slidably loaded onto the platform between said means; and

a pair of blades mounted above the platform on either side thereof, each blade having an inward-facing knife edge protruding past the means for confining so as to penetrate the sides of a slab substrate being slidably loaded onto the platform, thereby adhering the substrate to the platform.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, and further comprising:

a slab substrate having a width which approximates the distance between the means for confining and having pre-cut slits in its sides at a height corresponding to the distance from the platform to the knife edges.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the slits have a depth less than the distance of the protrusion of the knife edges from the means for confining.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, and further comprising:

a rear retaining means for confining a slab substrate at a rearward position of the platform.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, and further comprising:

a front retaining means for confining a slab substrate at a forward position of the platform.