Apparatus and method for producing objects utilizing three-dimensional printing
AssigneeTyco Electronics Corporation
InventorsCharles David FRY, Joseph LOCONDRO, Gaurang N. NAWARE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for the fabrication of an article made using a three-dimensional printing process. The invention includes depositing material from a print head onto a build plate located in a build chamber to form an article, heating ambient air in the build chamber to a first temperature which acts as a proper sink temperature for cooling of the article, and heating the build plate to a second temperature which is higher than the first temperature. The first and second temperatures are controlled to minimize warping and thermal stress of the article.
Claims20
A three-dimensional printing apparatus comprising:
- an enclosure with a build chamber;
- a print head provided in the build chamber, the print head deposits material to form an article;
- a first heating device positioned proximate the print head, the first heating device heats ambient air in the build chamber to a first temperature which acts as a temperature sink for cooling of the article;
- a heated build plate positioned in the build chamber, the heated build plate having a second heating device which heats a surface of the heated build plate on which the article is fabricated, the second heating device heats the top surface of the heated build plate to a second temperature which is higher than the first temperature;
- wherein the first and second temperatures are controlled to minimize warping and thermal stress of the article.
A method for the fabrication of an article made using a three-dimensional printing process, the method comprising:
- depositing material from a print head onto a build plate located in a build chamber to form an article;
- heating ambient air in the build chamber to a first temperature which acts as a proper sink temperature for cooling of the article;
- heating the build plate to a second temperature which is higher than the first temperature;
- wherein the first and second temperature are controlled to minimize warping and thermal stress of the article.
A method for the fabrication of an article to minimize warping and internal stress of the article, the method comprising:
- dispensing said thermally solidifiable material in a fluid state from a print head into a build chamber having a build plate;
- heating ambient air in the build chamber to a first temperature which acts as a proper sink temperature for cooling of the thermally solidifiable material;
- heating the build plate to a second temperature which is higher than the first temperature, the second temperature exceeding the solidification temperature of the thermally solidifiable material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.