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Three-dimensional printing and scanning system and method

  • US 9,364,995 B2
  • Filed: 03/15/2013
  • Issued: 06/14/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A three-dimensional (3D) printing and scanning system configured to create a 3D replica of a 3D object on a build surface, with movements and/or controls based on polar coordinates relative to a center of a build surface, comprising:

  • an uninterrupted circular planar build surface which is rotatable about a central axis of rotation;

    a first motor coupled to the build surface such that actuation of the first motor rotates the build surface;

    an extruder positioned over the build surface, wherein the extruder includesa filament input for receiving a filament,a second motor for drawing the filament into the extruder,a heating element to melt the filament as it is drawn into the extruder, andan output nozzle for depositing filament melt onto the build surface;

    an extruder positioning system coupled to the extruder and configured to move the extruder over the build surface based on polar coordinates relative to a center of the build surface, wherein the extruder positioning system includes;

    a third motor for moving the extruder radially relative to the center of the build surface, anda fourth motor for moving the extruder axially relative to the build surface;

    an optical scanning system comprising one or more cameras positioned to obtain a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) images of a 3D object; and

    a microcontroller coupled to a data transmission system and configured to execute control code, wherein execution of the control code actuates the first motor, the second motor, the third motor, the fourth motor, and the heating element in a coordinate fashion to create a 3D replica of the 3D object on the build surface.

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