Varying the composition of build materials used for a three dimensional part
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsDavid R. Otis, JR., Kevin E. Swier, Adam Peter Franks
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A varying a composition of build material used for a three dimensional (3D) part formed by a 3D printer are disclosed. In a system provided, a number of vessels for build material are included, wherein each vessel includes a feeder coupled to a conveying system. The conveying system conveys and blends build material from the vessels. A controller is configured to adjust a composition of the build material by adjusting an amount of material added from each of the vessels by controlling the feeder on each of the vessels.
Claims15
A system for varying a composition of build material used for a three dimensional (3D) part formed by a 3D printer, comprising:
- a plurality of vessels for build material, wherein each vessel comprises a feeder coupled to a conveying system;
- the conveying system to convey and blend build material from the plurality of vessels;
- and
- a controller configured to adjust a composition of the build material by adjusting an amount of material added from each of the plurality of vessels by controlling the feeder on each of the plurality of vessels.
A method for operating a three dimensional (3D) printer, comprising:
- adjusting a feeder on each of a plurality of vessels to select a composition of a build material in a conveying system;
- blending the build material from each of the plurality of vessels in the conveying system as the build material is conveyed to a build chamber;
- depositing a layer of the blended build material in the build chamber;
- selectively solidifying portions of the layer of the blended build material to form a layer of a 3D part;
- and
- adjusting the feeder on each of the plurality of vessels to select a different composition for a succeeding layer.
A non-transitory, machine readable medium, comprising code configured to direct a processor to adjust a feeder on each of a plurality of supply vessels to change a composition of a build material in a conveying system between layers of the build material that are deposited on a build platform.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.