US 2017/0291261 A1 · Method And Apparatus Of Very Much Faster 3D Printer

Abstract

A 3D printer that is mostly twenty to thirty times faster than existing 3D printers. Pixel-based Raster images are converted into Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG) images, which are then categorized as lines, curves and surface areas. For each category, faster printing methods for printing with pre-formed shapes such as rods, boards, arcs, etc., are disclosed. Pre-formed shapes may be made of plastic/thermoplastic/polymer or sintering materials, as desired. Sintering materials may be cladded/coated with appropriate materials such as solder, copper, and thermoplastics. The new print-head, which has a fixed portion and a replaceable portion, has a mechanism to draw upon pre-formed shapes to print. The replaceable portion has varying shapes and sizes of placement holes, and a mechanism to signal which replaceable portion has been mounted. The print-head incorporates mechanisms to heat and tack the pre-formed shapes. The invention discloses methods to use multiple print-heads to further speed up printing.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A 3D printing process to enhance the speed of printing by known process, the improvement includes performing a pre-printing analysis, comprising the steps of:

a. Converting pixel based raster images into Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG) images;
b. Categorization of SVG images into two, three or more categories;
c. For each category, optimizing printing methods for printing with pre-formed shapes such as rods, boards, arcs, etc., instead of printing with pixels;
d. Computing optimal placements of the pre-formed shapes and storing the placements in the memory of a computer;
e. Communicating the memory of the computer to a print-head configured to handle the pre-formed shapes;
and
f. Employing one or more print-heads simultaneously.

4 more elements

A print-head for 3D printing, where the print head has a fixed portion 149, a replaceable portion 148, bi-metallic strips 141, and laser guns 135, 139, and is configured to handle pre-formed shapes, such that:

a. The print-head has a fixed portion 149 that receives and holds the replaceable portion 148, where different replaceable portions may have different holes 138 for the pre-formed shapes of different sizes and shapes;
b. The main supply of pre-formed shapes will be outside the print area, from where pneumatic tubes will supply them to the print head;
c. A portion of the print-head holds a limited supply of pre-formed shapes. The replaceable print head has a second set of the pneumatic rounded rectangular tubes that feed a short holding space directly above the pre-formed shape placement holes;
d. The print head uses a bi-metallic strip 141 to prevent pre-formed shapes from prematurely falling down the placement hole 142;
e. The holes 138 have physical separators between them;
the pre-formed shapes that are awaiting their turn 144 to fall are stacked on one or both sides, and the pneumatic mechanism helps to replenish them;
f. The print-head has laser guns 135, 139 mounted at each end of it, and is capable of swill and wiggle motions;
and
g. The print-head has an electronic hand-shaking device (chip) 137 built in the replaceable layer 148 to check if the replaceable portion that has been mounted has the desired hole openings.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method And Apparatus Of Very Much Faster 3D Printer

Life of this patent

Method And Apparatus Of Very Much Faster 3D Printer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16