Three-dimensional object printing

• US 7,725,209 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2003
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stratasys Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Objet Geometries
• Inventors: Goihait, Hanan, Kritchman, Eliahu M., Menchik, Guy
• Primary Examiner(s): Jarrett; Ryan A
• Application Number:
  US10/534,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20060127153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,386 Days
• Field of Search: 700/119, 700/120, 264/401, 347/86, 347/87
• 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

Apparatus and method for controlling modeling material supply in a three-dimensional object-printing system (100). The apparatus may include one or more cartridges (180) containing modeling materials that may be connected via a set or matrix of valves (175) to the three-dimensional object printing system (100). Sensors (185) associated with the cartridges (180) may continuously or periodically monitor the status of the material within the cartridges. The controller receives data about the material presently available in each cartridge (180) and computes supply parameters for the available materials in the various cartridges (180).

Claims

1. A three-dimensional printing system to print a three-dimensional object, the system comprising:

one or more printing heads;

two or more replaceable cartridge apparatuses storing building materials in a closed container and connectable via tubes to the one or more printing heads, the cartridge apparatuses providing building materials to said one or more printing heads to print said three-dimensional object;

two or more sensors that determine the status of building materials in said cartridge apparatuses;

a controller that receives data from said sensors and controls switching of building material supply from one replaceable cartridge to another; and

a valve matrix coupled to said two or more cartridge apparatuses, to control supply of building materials from said cartridge apparatuses to said printing heads,

wherein upon lowering of the level of said building material in any one of said two or more cartridge apparatuses to a pre-determined amount, said valve matrix is adapted to automatically switch material sources.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said sensors is associated with a respective one of said cartridge apparatuses.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensors are mass sensors.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said two or more cartridge apparatuses are arranged as part of a cartridge array.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said cartridge apparatuses comprise a cartridge casing, said casing including a memory device reader.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said cartridge apparatuses is coupled to a memory device to record data relating to building material in a cartridge.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said cartridge apparatuses comprises a bag to store said building material.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said bag is inflatable and to enable curing of remnant building material.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said valve matrix includes an outgoing tube for each type of building material required by said printing heads.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said controller is to calculate material parameters from building materials in one or more of said cartridge apparatuses, based on data of building material in said cartridge apparatuses.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a source of electromagnetic radiation.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the source of electromagnetic radiation is disposed within one of said cartridge apparatuses.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a curing unit adapted to cure remnant building material within one of said cartridge apparatuses using electromagnetic radiation.