System and method for operating a three-dimensional printer to compensate for radial velocity variations
First Claim
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1. A three-dimensional object printer comprising:
- a platen configured to rotate about a center;
a first actuator operatively connected to the platen, the first actuator being configured to rotate the platen;
a radial arm that extends from a position proximate the center of the platen to a position proximate a circumferential edge of the platen;
at least one printhead mounted to the radial arm, the at least one printhead being configured to eject material onto the platen as the platen rotates past the at least one printhead;
a second actuator operatively connected to the at least one printhead, the second actuator being configured to move the at least one printhead along the radial arm and to change an angle between the at least one printhead and the radial arm; and
a controller operatively connected to the at least one printhead, the first actuator, and the second actuator, the controller being configured to;
operate the first actuator to rotate the platen;
operate the at least one printhead to eject material onto the platen as the platen rotates past the at least one printhead; and
adjust operation of the first actuator to change an angular velocity of the platen or adjust operation of the second actuator to change a velocity of the at least one printhead along the radial arm or an angle between the at least one printhead and the radial arm to maintain a density of the material ejected onto a portion of the rotating platen nearer a center of the platen constant with a density of the material ejected onto a portion of the rotating platen nearer a circumferential edge of the platen.
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Abstract
A three-dimensional object printer is configured to enable the density of material ejected by at least one printhead onto a rotating platen near its circumferential edge to be approximately the same as the density of the material ejected onto the rotating platen near the center of the platen.
12 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A three-dimensional object printer comprising:
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a platen configured to rotate about a center; a first actuator operatively connected to the platen, the first actuator being configured to rotate the platen; a radial arm that extends from a position proximate the center of the platen to a position proximate a circumferential edge of the platen; at least one printhead mounted to the radial arm, the at least one printhead being configured to eject material onto the platen as the platen rotates past the at least one printhead; a second actuator operatively connected to the at least one printhead, the second actuator being configured to move the at least one printhead along the radial arm and to change an angle between the at least one printhead and the radial arm; and a controller operatively connected to the at least one printhead, the first actuator, and the second actuator, the controller being configured to; operate the first actuator to rotate the platen; operate the at least one printhead to eject material onto the platen as the platen rotates past the at least one printhead; and adjust operation of the first actuator to change an angular velocity of the platen or adjust operation of the second actuator to change a velocity of the at least one printhead along the radial arm or an angle between the at least one printhead and the radial arm to maintain a density of the material ejected onto a portion of the rotating platen nearer a center of the platen constant with a density of the material ejected onto a portion of the rotating platen nearer a circumferential edge of the platen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification