Three-dimensional printer having an expandable envelope
First Claim
1. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium that is not a transitory signal having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to:
- print, using a three-dimensional printer, a first layer of a three-dimensional object onto a surface that is not part of the three-dimensional printer, wherein the first layer is printed while a printing platform of the three dimensional printer is in a first position;
print, using the three-dimensional printer, a first layer of a scaffold separate from the first layer of the three-dimensional object;
autonomously reposition the three-dimensional printer to be supported on the scaffold in a second position elevated above the first position; and
print, using the three-dimensional printer, a second layer of the three-dimensional object onto the first layer of the three-dimensional object while the printing platform is in the second position.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith and executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform a method. The method includes a three-dimensional printer printing a first layer of an object onto a surface that is not part of the three-dimensional printer, wherein the first layer is printed while a printing platform of the three dimensional printer is in a first position. The printer is autonomously repositioned in a second position elevated above the first position by being supported either on the three-dimensional object itself or on a scaffold printed separate from the object. The printer prints a second layer of the three-dimensional object onto the first layer of the three-dimensional object while the printing platform is in the second position. The printer may have a plurality of legs for controllably repositioning the printing platform.
20 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium that is not a transitory signal having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to:
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print, using a three-dimensional printer, a first layer of a three-dimensional object onto a surface that is not part of the three-dimensional printer, wherein the first layer is printed while a printing platform of the three dimensional printer is in a first position; print, using the three-dimensional printer, a first layer of a scaffold separate from the first layer of the three-dimensional object; autonomously reposition the three-dimensional printer to be supported on the scaffold in a second position elevated above the first position; and print, using the three-dimensional printer, a second layer of the three-dimensional object onto the first layer of the three-dimensional object while the printing platform is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium that is not a transitory signal having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to:
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print, using a three-dimensional printer, a first layer of a three-dimensional object onto a surface that is not part of the three-dimensional printer, wherein the first layer is printed while a printing platform of the three dimensional printer is in a first position; autonomously reposition the printing platform of the three-dimensional printer to be supported on the three-dimensional object in a second position elevated above the first position; and print, using the three-dimensional printer, a second layer of the three-dimensional object on the first layer of the three-dimensional object while the printing platform of the three-dimensional printer is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification