Techniques for surface preparation during additive fabrication and related systems and methods
AssigneeFormlabs, Inc.
InventorsIan Ferguson, Konstantinos Oikonomopoulos, Steven Thomas, Ben FrantzDale, Nicholas M. Sohn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to some aspects, an additive fabrication device is provided configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material. The additive fabrication device may comprise a container and a wiper, wherein the wiper comprises a wiper arm and a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm using a pivoting coupling.
Claims9
An additive fabrication device configured to form layers of material on a build platform, each layer of material being formed so as to contact a container in addition to the build platform and/or a previously formed layer of material, the additive fabrication device comprising:
- a container;
- and
- a wiper, the wiper comprising:
- a wiper arm;
- and
- a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm via a pivoting coupling, the pivoting coupling allowing the wiper blade to move independently of the wiper arm through rotation of the wiper blade around the pivoting coupling, the wiper blade comprising:
- first and second surfaces opposing one another and oriented perpendicular to a base surface of the container;
- a void space between the first and second surfaces;
- and
- at least one opening in the first surface and/or second surface through which liquid may flow from the container into the void space.
A wiper configured to be used within an additive fabrication device, the wiper comprising:
- a support structure configured to be attached to one or more components of the additive fabrication device;
- a wiper arm coupled to the support structure, the wiper arm having a long axis aligned in a first direction;
- and
- a wiper blade coupled to said wiper arm via a pivoting coupling, the pivoting coupling allowing the wiper blade to move independently of the wiper arm through rotation of the wiper blade around the pivoting coupling, wherein the wiper blade has a long axis aligned in the first direction and comprises:
- a first surface and a second surface aligned perpendicularly to the first direction, the second surface being longer than the first surface;
- and
- a void space located between said first and second surfaces and configured to hold liquid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.