Cartridge apparatus for three-dimensional object printing

• US 7,996,101 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2010
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stratasys Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Objet Geometries
• Inventors: Menchik, Guy, Kritchman, Eliahu M., Gothait, Hanan
• Primary Examiner(s): Jarrett; Ryan A
• Application Number:
  US12/770,236
• Publication Number:
  US 20100208016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 700/118, 347/86
• US Class Current: 700/119
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/112 using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/20 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/336 of two or more materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/35 Cleaning
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/386 Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/393 for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/40 Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 40/00 Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 50/02 for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17506 Refilling of the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17509 Whilst mounted in the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17566 Ink level or ink residue control
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/17569 : based on the amount printed or to be printed
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/17589 : using ink level as input for printer mode selection or for prediction of remaining printing capacity
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 17/06 : having means for controlling the supply or discharge

Abstract

A cartridge apparatus for supplying materials to a three-dimensional printing system is provided. The cartridge apparatus may include a cartridge, a data storage device to record data relating to a material contained within the cartridge and a reader to read data from the data storage device and transmit the data to a controller of the printing system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supplying materials to a three-dimensional printing system, the apparatus comprising:

a controller to utilize printing data related to a three-dimensional object to be printed;

a cartridge;

a data storage device to record data relating to a material contained within the cartridge; and

a reader to read data from the data storage device and transmit the data to the controller, wherein the controller computes an amount of material required for printing the three-dimensional object based on the printing data and determines whether an amount of a material in the cartridge is sufficient to complete printing of the three-dimensional object.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data relating to the material contained within the cartridge includes type of material, material color, manufacturing date, material viscosity, material density or any combination thereof.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data relating to the material contained within the cartridge includes optimal operation parameters, recommended jetting temperature, optimum building parameters and surface tension at the recommended temperature or any combination thereof.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data storage device is configured such that:

the data stored therein is updated during printing.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data relating to the material contained within the cartridge includes a parameter indicating the amount of material within the cartridge.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the parameter indicating the amount of material within the cartridge is updated during printing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:

one or more sensors.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said sensors include mass sensors and volume sensors.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a load cell for gauging mechanical load properties of the cartridge.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said load cell transmits signals to the controller of the printing system.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the load cell translates a mechanical load parameter of the cartridge into an electrical signal and transmits the signal to the controller of the printing system.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising:

a cartridge housing to house the cartridge; and

a cartridge sensing unit that determines whether or not the cartridge is in place within the cartridge housing and transmits corresponding data to the controller.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation to render remnant material within the cartridge inert.