Three-dimensional printing and scanning system and method
First Claim
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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Abstract
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for three-dimensional (3D) printing and scanning (or rapid prototyping). For example, presented herein are 3D printing and scanning systems and methods to create a 3D replica of a 3D object on a build surface. Movements and/or controls of the system are generally based on polar coordinates relative to a center of a build surface. System components may generally include: (1) a rotatable build surface; (2) a media extruder positioned over the build surface; (3) a heating element to melt media as it is drawn into the extruder; (4) 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; and (5) an optical scanning system for scanning of a 3D object to obtain a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) images of the 3D object.
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Citations
21 Claims
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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:
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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 includes a 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, and an 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, and a 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A three-dimensional (3D) printing and scanning system based on polar coordinates, comprising:
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an uninterrupted circular planar build surface which is rotatable about a central axis of rotation; an extruder positioned over the build surface 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 serving as a center of origin; 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 the extruder positioning system and configured to execute a control code, wherein execution of the control code actuates the extruder positioning system to move the extruder in axial and radial directions relative to the center of the build surface. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A three-dimensional (3D) printing and scanning system, comprising:
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an uninterrupted circular planar build surface which is rotatable about a central axis of rotation; an extruder positioned over the build surface for depositing media melt onto 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 positioning element for controlling the position of the extruder, relative to the build surface, based on polar coordinates;
wherein the positioning element for controlling the position of the extruder further comprises a motor coupled to the extruder to move the extruder radially relative to a center of the build surface. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification