Multiplexed 3D printing
AssigneeRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
InventorsRajiv Malhotra, Jeremy Cleeman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multiplexed three-dimensional printing system including a printhead block (100) moveable in three-dimensions, the printhead block including a plurality of extruders (101, 103, 105), wherein each of the plurality of extruders is individually switchable between a deposition state and a retraction state, wherein the deposition state deposits a printing material, and wherein the retraction state prevents deposition of the printing material.
Claims19
A multiplexed three-dimensional printing system comprising:
- a printhead block moveable in three dimensions, the printhead block comprising a plurality of extruders, wherein each of the plurality of extruders is individually switchable between a deposition state and a retraction state, wherein the deposition state deposits a printing material, and wherein the retraction state retracts a filament of the printing material to prevent deposition of the printing material;
- and
- a controller configured to determine a smallest fit rectangle that bounds a two-dimensional slice of the object, to determine the toolpath within the smallest fit rectangle, and to determine a plurality of points within the smallest fit rectangle for the plurality of extruders at which switches between the deposition state and the retraction state should occur to print the object.
A method for multiplexed three-dimensional printing an object via a printhead block moveable in three dimensions, the printhead block comprising a plurality of extruders, wherein each of the plurality of extruders is individually switchable between a deposition state and a retraction state, wherein the deposition state deposits a printing material, and wherein the retraction state retracts a filament of the printing material to prevent deposition of the printing material, the method comprising:
- moving the printhead block along a toolpath;
- individually switching the plurality of extruders between the deposition state and the retraction state;
- and
- determining a smallest fit rectangle that bounds a two-dimensional slice of the object, determining the toolpath within the smallest fit rectangle, and determining a plurality of points within the smallest fit rectangle for the plurality of extruders at which switches between the deposition state and the retraction state should occur to print the object.
A system, comprising:
- a multiplexed three-dimensional printing system comprising a printhead block moveable in three dimensions, the printhead block comprising a plurality of extruders, wherein each of the plurality of extruders is individually switchable between a deposition state and a retraction state, wherein the deposition state deposits a printing material, and wherein the retraction state retracts a filament of the printing material to prevent deposition of the printing material;
- and
- a controller configured to control movement of the printhead block and to control individually switching the plurality of extruders between the deposition state and the retraction state,
- wherein the controller is further configured to determine a smallest fit rectangle that bounds a two-dimensional slice of the object, to determine the toolpath within the smallest fit rectangle, and to determine a plurality of points within the smallest fit rectangle for the plurality of extruders at which switches between the deposition state and the retraction state should occur to print the object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.