Layer transfusion for additive manufacturing
AssigneeStratasys, Inc.
InventorsSteven A. Chillscyzn, James W. Comb, William J. Hanson, J. Randolph Sanders, Michael W. Bacus
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An additive manufacturing system comprising a transfer medium configured to receive the layers from a imaging engine, a heater configured to heat the layers on the transfer medium, and a layer transfusion assembly that includes a build platform, and is configured to transfuse the heated layers onto the build platform in a layer-by-layer manner to print a three-dimensional part.
Claims20
An additive manufacturing system for printing a three-dimensional part, the additive manufacturing system comprising:
- a transfer medium configured to receive and transfer imaged layers of a thermoplastic-based powder from an imaging engine;
- a heater configured to heat the imaged layers on the transfer medium to at least a fusion temperature of the thermoplastic-based powder;
- a layer transfusion assembly comprising a build platform, the layer transfusion assembly being configured to transfuse the heated layers in a layer-by-layer manner onto the build platform to print the three-dimensional part;
- and
- a cooling unit configured to actively cool the transfused layers to hold the printed three-dimensional part at about an average part temperature that is below a deformation temperature of the three-dimensional part.
An additive manufacturing system for printing a three-dimensional part, the additive manufacturing system comprising:
- a rotatable belt configured to receive a developed layer of a thermoplastic-based powder from an electrophotography engine;
- a heater configured to heat the developed layer on the rotatable belt to a fusion temperature of the thermoplastic-based powder;
- a transfusion element
- a build platform configured to receive the heated layers from the rotatable belt and transfuse the heated layers in a layer-by-layer manner with the transfusion element to print the three-dimensional part on the build platform;
- and
- a cooling unit configured to actively cool the transfused layers to hold the printed three-dimensional part at about an average part temperature that is below a deformation temperature of the three-dimensional part that is below a deformation temperature of the three-dimensional part.
The additive manufacturing system of claim 11, wherein the rotatable belt comprises a multiple-layer belt.
A method for printing a three-dimensional part with an additive manufacturing system, the method comprising:
- imaging a layer of the three-dimensional part from a thermoplastic-based powder;
- transferring the imaged layer to a transfer medium;
- heating the imaged layer while the imaged layer is retained on the transfer medium;
- transfusing the heated layer to a surface of the three-dimensional part;
- releasing the transfused layer from the transfer medium such that the transfused layer remains adhered to the three-dimensional part;
- and
- cooling the transfused layer to hold the printed three-dimensional part at about an average part temperature that is below a deformation temperature of the three-dimensional part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.