Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing
AssigneeAFBS, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey A. Fedor, Christopher M. Gaylo, Peter A. Materna
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing are shown and described. Various embodiments of the invention allow for more precise and controlled delivery of heat to achieve interlayer drying; isolation of the working region from the outside for reasons of cleanliness and in connection with the vapors of organic solvents; better control of the temperature of the working region; better accuracy in the flowrates of binder fluid dispensed; matching of delivered flowrates for multiple dispensers; verification of delivered flowrate or drops; provision for easier changeover of the machine from one powder to another; cleanability; and other needs.
Claims17
A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:
- an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;
- a ventilation system configured to introduce into the enclosure a gas whose composition is different from the composition of air, further comprising a sensor for measuring the concentration of selected organic solvent vapors within the enclosure;
- and
- means for generating a warning based on a measured concentration of the selected organic solvent vapor.
A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:
- an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;
- a ventilation system configured to introduce into the enclosure a gas whose composition is different from the composition of air, further comprising a sensor for measuring the concentration of selected organic solvent vapors within the enclosure;
- and
- means for adjusting the operation of the three-dimensional printing machine in response to a measured concentration of the selected organic solvent vapor.
A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:
- an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;
- and
- a ventilation system configured to introduce into the enclosure a gas whose composition is different from the composition of air, further comprising a sensor for measuring the concentration of selected organic solvent vapors within the enclosure, wherein the gas flows at a rate sufficient to maintain the concentration of a selected organic solvent vapor below a flammable limit or an explosive limit.
A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:
- an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;
- a ventilation system;
- means for adjusting the ventilation system based on a concentration of a vapor of a selected organic solvent, wherein the means for adjusting comprises a sensor suitable to measure the concentration of the selected organic solvent vapor within the enclosure;
- and
- means for generating a warning based on the measured concentration of the selected organic solvent vapor.
A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:
- an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;
- a ventilation system;
- means for adjusting the ventilation system based on a concentration of a vapor of a selected organic solvent;
- and
- means for adjusting operation of the three-dimensional printing machine in response to the concentration of the selected organic solvent vapor.
A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:
- an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;
- a ventilation system;
- and
- means for adjusting the ventilation system based on a concentration of a vapor of a selected organic solvent,
- wherein the ventilation system causes flow of gas at a rate sufficient to maintain the concentration of the selected organic solvent vapor below a flammable limit or an explosive limit.
A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:
- an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;
- and
- means for causing shutdown of at least a portion of the three-dimensional printing machine based on a measured concentration of a vapor of a selected organic solvent.
A three-dimensional printing system, the system comprising:
- a three-dimensional printing machine which dispenses a liquid comprising an organic solvent;
- an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;
- a sensor suitable for measuring the concentration of a vapor of an organic solvent within the enclosure;
- and
- means for adjusting the operation of the three-dimensional printing machine based on the measured concentration of the vapor of the organic solvent.
A three-dimensional printing system, the system comprising:
- a three-dimensional printing machine which dispenses a liquid comprising an organic solvent;
- an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;
- a sensor suitable for measuring the concentration of a vapor of an organic solvent within the enclosure;
- and
- means for causing a shutdown of at least some portion of the three-dimensional printing machine based on the measured concentration of the vapor of the organic solvent.
A three-dimensional printing system, the system comprising:
- a three-dimensional printing machine which dispenses a liquid comprising an organic solvent;
- an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;
- a sensor suitable for measuring the concentration of a vapor of an organic solvent within the enclosure;
- and
- means for creating a warning based on the measured concentration of the vapor of the organic solvent.
A three-dimensional printing system, the system comprising:
- a three-dimensional printing machine which dispenses a liquid comprising an organic solvent;
- an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;
- and
- means for causing shutdown of at least a portion of the three-dimensional printing machine based on a measured concentration of a vapor of a selected organic solvent.
A method for ventilating a three-dimensional printing machine, comprising:
- receiving gas from an enclosure configured to extend substantially about a three-dimensional printing machine, so as to separate the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;
- removing an organic solvent vapor from the gas;
- returning at least a portion of the received gas back into the enclosure;
- measuring the concentration of the organic solvent vapor within the enclosure;
- and
- causing at least a portion of the three-dimensional printing machine to shut down based on the measured concentration of the organic solvent vapor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.