Three-dimensional printing system and equipment assembly
AssigneeAprecia Pharmaceuticals LLC
InventorsMahendra R. Patel, Amit S. Patel, Thomas J. Bradbury, Thomas G. West
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A three-dimensional printing system and equipment assembly for the manufacture of three-dimensionally printed articles is provided. The equipment assembly includes a three-dimensional printing build system, an optional liquid removal system and an optional harvester system. The build system includes a conveyor, plural build modules and at least one build station having a powder-layering system and a printing system. The equipment assembly can be used to manufacture pharmaceutical, medical, and non-pharmaceutical/non-medical objects. It can be used to prepare single or multiple articles.
Claims19
A method of preparing a three-dimensionally printed article, the method comprising:
- a) forming one or more layers of powder within a receptacle comprising a lower height adjustable platform (or punch), wherein the powder comprises at least one binder;
- b) depositing binding fluid on one or more powder layers within the receptacle to bind particles of the at least one binder and form one or more incremental printed layers;
- c) before completion of the 3DP article, translating, compressing, marking or shaping the one or more incremental printed layers in the receptacle with a punch system comprising at least one upper punch;
- and
- d) repeating steps a) and b), and optionally step c), to complete formation of the 3DP article.
-5 (canceled)
- 9. (canceled)
-16 (canceled)
A 3DP equipment assembly system comprising:
- a conveyor system that conducts a plurality of build modules, wherein the plurality of build modules comprise respective receptacles and height adjustable platforms disposed within the receptacles;
- at least one powder layering system that forms a plurality of layers of powder within each of the plurality of build modules;
- at least one binding fluid application system that deposits binding fluid onto the plurality of layers of powder;
- and
- at least one punch system comprising at least one upper punch.
-29. (canceled)
A three-dimensionally printed (3DP) article comprising at least two incremental printed layers, wherein:
- at least one printed incremental layer comprises a first region and a horizontally adjacent second region;
- the first region is prepared from a first bulk powder and first binding fluid;
- the second region is prepared from a second bulk powder and second binding fluid;
- and
- the first bulk powder is different from the second bulk powder.
-43) (canceled)
-47) (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.