Three-dimensional printing system and equipment assembly
AssigneeAprecia Pharmaceuticals LLC
InventorsMahendra R. Patel, Amit S. Patel, Thomas J. Bradbury, Thomas G. West
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A three-dimensional printing system and equipment assembly for the manufacture of three-dimensionally printed articles is provided. The equipment assembly includes a three-dimensional printing build system, an optional liquid removal system and an optional harvester system. The build system includes a conveyor, plural build modules and at least one build station having a powder-layering system and a printing system. The equipment assembly can be used to manufacture pharmaceutical, medical, and non-pharmaceutical/non-medical objects. It can be used to prepare single or multiple articles.
Claims19
A method of preparing a three-dimensionally printed article, the method comprising:
- a) forming one or more layers of powder within a receptacle comprising a lower height adjustable platform (or punch), wherein the powder comprises particles of at least one of a pharmaceutical active agent and a pharmaceutical excipient, and at least one binder;
- b) depositing binding fluid on one or more powder layers within the receptacle to bind particles of the at least one binder with the at least one of the pharmaceutical active agent and the pharmaceutical excipient and form one or more incremental printed layers;
- c) before completion of the 3DP article, translating, compressing, marking or shaping the one or more incremental printed layers in the receptacle with a punch system comprising at least one upper punch;
- and
- d) repeating steps a) and b), and optionally step c), to complete formation of the 3DP article.
A method of preparing a three-dimensionally printed article, comprising the steps of:
- a) forming a layer of powder within a receptacle comprising a lower height adjustable platform, wherein the powder comprises particles of at least one of a pharmaceutical active agent and a pharmaceutical excipient, and at least one binder;
- b) depositing binding fluid on the powder within the receptacle to bind the particles of the at least one binder with the at least one of the pharmaceutical active agent and the pharmaceutical excipient and form one or more incremental printed layers;
- c) translating, compressing, marking or shaping the one or more incremental printed layers in the receptacle with a punch system comprising at least one upper punch;
- and
- d) repeating steps a) and b), and optionally step c) one or more times, to complete formation of the 3DP article.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.