Three-dimensional printer
First Claim
1. An apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object, comprising:
- a feed reservoir for storing a supply of build material usable to fabricate the object;
a vacuum system having a vacuum inlet plumbed to the feed reservoir;
a build chamber for receiving incremental layers of the build material from the feed reservoir; and
an overflow cavity for receiving an excess quantity of build material transferred from the feed reservoir but not received by the build chamber.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A three-dimensional printer uses inkjet-type printheads to rapidly prototype, or print, a three-dimensional model. A powder feeder includes a conveyor system and a metering system to deliver powder to a build area in measured quantities. The powder feeder also includes a vacuum system for loading powder into a feed reservoir or chamber. The vacuum system can also be used to cleanup excess powder. Other powder control features include powder gutters and magnetic powder plows. During printing, a cleaning system operates to remove powder from the printheads. In the event of a printhead or jet failure, the failure can be detected and corrective measures taken automatically. After printing, the model can be depowdered and infiltrated in an enclosure.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object, comprising:
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a feed reservoir for storing a supply of build material usable to fabricate the object; a vacuum system having a vacuum inlet plumbed to the feed reservoir; a build chamber for receiving incremental layers of the build material from the feed reservoir; and an overflow cavity for receiving an excess quantity of build material transferred from the feed reservoir but not received by the build chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for fabricating a three-dimensional object, comprising:
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a feed reservoir for storing a supply of build material usable to fabricate the object; a vacuum system having a vacuum inlet plumbed to the feed reservoir; a build chamber for receiving incremental layers of the build material from the feed reservoir; a printhead for depositing binder onto the incremental layers of the build material; a gravity-feed binder delivery mechanism for supply a quantity of binder to the printhead; an overflow cavity for receiving an excess quantity of build material transferred from the feed reservoir but not received by the build chamber; a conveyor for moving build material from the feed reservoir toward the build chamber; a metering system to regulate the quantity of build material delivered from the conveyor to the build chamber; and an enclosure for holding the object. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method of fabricating a three-dimensional object, comprising:
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in a feed reservoir, storing a supply of build material usable to fabricate the object; operating a vacuum system having a vacuum inlet plumbed to the feed reservoir; in a build chamber, receiving incremental layers of the build material from the feed reservoir; and in an overflow cavity, receiving an excess quantity of build material transferred from the feed reservoir but not received by the build chamber. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification