Methods and systems for ensuring consistent tensioning of membrane in frame
AssigneeStratasys, Inc.
InventorMamdouh Elsharkawy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tensioning apparatus for manufacturing a membrane assembly for a three-dimensional printer. The tensioning apparatus may include a base portion, an upper portion, and a jig configured to receive a lower frame piece of a membrane assembly. The jig is arranged on the base portion and shaped to receive a lower frame piece of the membrane assembly. The base portion has a number of holes through an upper plate thereof through which air can be evacuated from the tensioning apparatus when a flexible membrane material is being fitted to the lower frame piece of the membrane assembly.
Claims9
A method of manufacturing a membrane assembly for a three-dimensional printer, wherein the three-dimensional printer includes a tensioning apparatus for manufacturing the membrane assembly for the three-dimensional printer, the tensioning apparatus comprising a base portion, an upper portion, and a jig configured to receive a lower frame piece of said membrane assembly, the jig arranged on the base portion and shaped to receive said lower frame piece of the membrane assembly;
- and the base portion having a number of holes through an upper plate of the base portion through which air can be evacuated from the tensioning apparatus when a flexible membrane material is being fitted to the lower frame piece of the membrane assembly;
- wherein the jig has a rim adjustable in terms of its vertical displacement above the upper plate of the base portion;
- and the method comprising:
- within the tensioning apparatus:
- positioning the lower frame piece of the membrane assembly on the jig, and securing a piece of the flexible membrane material over the lower frame piece of the membrane assembly by bringing the base portion and upper portion of the tensioning apparatus together with the piece of the flexible membrane at least partially between them;
- and
- pulling a vacuum by evacuating air through the holes of the upper plate of the base portion so as to make taut a portion of the piece of the flexible membrane material over the lower frame piece of the membrane assembly;
- wherein said positioning comprises adjusting the rim of the jig in terms of its vertical displacement above the upper plate of the base portion.
A tensioning apparatus for manufacturing a membrane assembly for a three-dimensional printer, the tensioning apparatus comprising:
- a base portion, an upper portion, and a jig configured to receive a lower frame piece of said membrane assembly, the jig arranged on the base portion and shaped to receive said lower frame piece of the membrane assembly;
- one or more clamps arranged to secure the base portion and upper portion of the tensioning apparatus together, the base portion and upper portion of the tensioning apparatus being secured to one another by one or more hinges;
- and
- a vacuum pump coupled to evacuate air from the tensioning apparatus when a flexible membrane material is being fitted to the lower frame piece of the membrane assembly;
- wherein:
- the base portion of the tensioning apparatus has a number of holes through an upper plate of the base portion, and the pump is coupled to evacuate air from the tensioning apparatus by evacuating air through the holes in the upper plate of the base portion;
- and
- the jig has a rim adjustable in terms of its vertical displacement above the upper plate of the base portion.
A tensioning apparatus for manufacturing a membrane assembly for a three-dimensional printer, the tensioning apparatus comprising:
- a base portion, an upper portion, and a jig configured to receive a lower frame piece of said membrane assembly, the jig arranged on the base portion and shaped to receive said lower frame piece of the membrane assembly;
- and
- the base portion having a number of holes through an upper plate of the base portion through which air can be evacuated from the tensioning apparatus when a flexible membrane material is being fitted to the lower frame piece of the membrane assembly;
- wherein the jig has a rim adjustable in terms of its vertical displacement above the upper plate of the base portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.