Back to results
US 2011/0211016 A1Published application
Apparatus and methods for handling materials in a 3-d printer
AssigneeZ Corporation
InventorsThomas Davidson, Andres T. Hernandez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed towards methods and apparatus for handling powder in a 3D printer. The invention includes a means of transporting powder from multiple sources to a powder dispensing apparatus with minimal user intervention, thus reducing contamination of the 3D printer and surrounding area with loose powder, while also providing a means of improving the recycling of powder for re-use.
Claims6
-15. (canceled)
A waste handling system for a three-dimensional printer, the system comprising:
- a receptacle for receiving printhead discharge material;
- a holding receptacle in communication with the receiving receptacle, the holding receptacle comprising an absorptive medium adapted to absorb at least a portion of the printhead discharge material;
- and
- a drain for channeling the printhead discharge material to the holding receptacle, wherein at least a portion of the printhead discharge material solidifies within the holding receptacle.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.