Systems and methods for electrophotography-based additive manufacturing of parts utilizing multiple printing paths
OwnerSteven A. Chillscyzn, J. Samuel Batchelderinventors
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Abstract
An electrophotography-based additive manufacturing system (e.g., 10; 100; 200; 300; 350; 500; 700) having at least one electrophotography (EP) or electrostatographic engine (e.g., 12; 12p; 12s; 612p; 612p; 712-1; 712-2) and being configured such that a plurality of independently movable parts is built in parallel at a plurality of decoupled processing stations.
Claims15
An electrostatographic based additive manufacturing system for printing three-dimensional parts, the additive manufacturing system comprising:
- a first imaging engine configured to develop imaged layers of a thermoplastic-based powder;
- a first transfer medium configured to receive the imaged layers from the first imaging engine;
- a first transfusion assembly configured to transfuse imaged layers from the first transfer medium onto part build surfaces by pre-heating an imaged layer on the first transfer medium and applying pressure to transfuse the pre-heated imaged layer onto a part build surface;
- a first platen configured to have a first part formed thereon;
- a second platen configured to have a second part formed thereon;
- and
- a part transport system providing part paths, the part transport system configured to move the first platen and the second platen proximate the first transfusion assembly in an alternating pattern such that the first part and the second part are each acted on by the first transfusion assembly to have imaged layers transferred thereto to build the first part and the second part in parallel.
A method for printing a three-dimensional part with an electrostatographic based additive manufacturing system, the method comprising:
- developing layers of a powder material using at least one electrostatographic engine;
- transferring the developed layers from the at least one electrostatographic engine to a transfer medium;
- using a transport system to move a first platen proximate a first transfusion assembly;
- using the first transfusion assembly to transfuse one of a plurality of imaged layers from the first transfer medium onto a part build surface of a first part on the first platen;
- using the transport system to move a second platen proximate the first transfusion assembly;
- using the first transfusion assembly to transfuse another of the plurality of imaged layers from the first transfer medium onto a part build surface of a second part on the second platen such that the first part and the second part are built in parallel.
An electrostatographic based additive manufacturing system for printing three-dimensional parts, the additive manufacturing system comprising:
- a first imaging engine configured to develop imaged layers of a thermoplastic-based powder on a part build surface;
- a first transfusion assembly configured to transfuse imaged layers on the part build surfaces by heating an imaged layer on the part build surface and applying pressure to transfuse the heated imaged layer into the part build surface;
- a first platen configured to have a first part formed thereon;
- a second platen configured to have a second part formed thereon;
- and
- a part transport system providing part paths, the part transport system configured to move the first platen and the second platen proximate the first imaging engine and the first transfusion assembly in an alternating pattern such that the first part and the second part are each acted on by the first imaging engine and the first transfusion assembly to have imaged layers transferred thereto to build the first part and the second part in parallel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.