System and method for automated successive three-dimensional printing
AssigneeR3 Printing, Inc.
InventorPaul Sieradzki
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for autonomously creating subsequent physical objects using a 3-dimensional printer. The system includes a build platform that melts or sublimates at a lower temperature and pressure than the glass-transition temperature of the printed object, allowing the printed object to become detached and removed from the build area with minimal force.
Claims6
A method of ejecting an object from a print area, the object being printed by a 3-dimensional printer, the print area comprising a build plane, a build platform constructed entirely out of a material with a melting point between 40° C. and 55° C., the build platform having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a reservoir configured to contain the build platform, a push mechanism, having a horizontal actuator attached to a plow, where the plow is located proximately to the build platform, the horizontal actuator being configured to provide sufficient force to eject the object beyond the build platform, and a temperature regulator, located below the bottom surface, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing, by the 3-dimensional printer, a printed object, wherein the printed object is adhered to the top surface of the build platform;
- heating the build platform, by the temperature regulator, to at least the melting point of the build platform;
- allowing, the build platform to melt and the printed object to become disjoined from the top surface of the build platform;
- and
- pushing the printed object off the build platform by the plow of the push mechanism.
A method of ejecting an object from a print area, the object being printed by a 3-dimensional printer, the print area comprising a build plane, a build platform, having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a reservoir that extends therebetween and surrounds the build platform, a push mechanism, having a horizontal actuator attached to a plow, where the plow is located proximately to the build platform, the horizontal actuator being configured to provide sufficient force to eject the object beyond the build platform, and a temperature regulator, located below the bottom surface, an air-tight chamber configured to envelope the build platform, the push mechanism, and the temperature regulator, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing, by the 3-dimensional printer, a printed object, wherein the printed object is adhered to the top surface of the build platform;
- heating the build platform, by the temperature regulator, to a sublimation point of the build platform;
- allowing, the build platform to sublimate and the printed object to become disjoined from the top surface of the build platform;
- and
- pushing the printed object off the build platform by the plow of the push mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.