B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B29C 64/379 - Handling of additively manufactured objects, e.g. using robots
The strength of a bond between two adjacent layers of a three-dimensional print is weakened by initiating fabrication of a top layer at a height greater than the processing height for the print. This technique may be used in particular at the interface between a raft or other support and an object being fabricated, after which the printing process may return to a regular process height for additional layers used to fabricate the remainder of the object.
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/40 - Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
A multi-extruder includes a passive height control mechanism that adjusts the relative height of its extruders without the use of additional, active components. Further, the height control mechanism may employ ramped control surfaces that mitigate noise and vibration by gradually transferring vertical loads while transferring from one active extruder to another.
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B29C 64/379 - Handling of additively manufactured objects, e.g. using robots
A removable and replaceable build plate for a three-dimensional printer supports magnetic coupling to a printer and advantageous adhesion for an initial layer of build material.
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
A multi-extruder includes a passive height control mechanism that adjusts the relative height of its extruders without the use of additional, active components. Further, the height control mechanism may employ ramped control surfaces that mitigate noise and vibration by gradually transferring vertical loads while transferring from one active extruder to another.
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B29C 64/232 - Driving means for motion along the axis orthogonal to the plane of a layer
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B29C 64/379 - Handling of additively manufactured objects, e.g. using robots
A cap for an extruder of a three-dimensional printer is removeable and replaceable on the hot end of the extruder, e.g., for cleaning or other maintenance of the cap or extruder. The cap may be formed of a polymer having a lower thermal conductivity than the hot end of the extruder such that the cap forms a thermal barrier between the hot end of the extruder and an external environment. Further, the cap may protect the hot end of the extruder from damaging contact with deposited build material (e.g., spatters) as well as other undesirable contact during a three-dimensional printing process.
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B29C 64/379 - Handling of additively manufactured objects, e.g. using robots
The present teachings include improvements in three-dimensional printing, such as improvements related to build platforms, extruders, and extrusion techniques.
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
An extruder of a three-dimensional printer may be coupled with one or more filament tubes, each filament tube having its own supply of filament. The extruder may include a drive gear rotatable in a first direction to advance a filament from a filament tube toward at least one extrusion opening defined by the extruder and rotatable in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to advance another filament from a different filament tube toward the at least one extrusion opening defined by the extruder. Also, as one filament is advanced by the drive gear, another filament may be retracted by the drive gear to improve the switching of filaments in a three-dimensional printing process. The extruder may work in conjunction with a filament supply-side drive system that feeds filament into one or more filament tubes, reducing a pull force exerted by the drive gear of the extruder.
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B29K 105/00 - Condition, form or state of moulded material
21.
Support fabrication techniques in three-dimensional printing
The strength of a bond between two adjacent layers of a three-dimensional print is weakened by initiating fabrication of a top layer at a height greater than the processing height for the print. This technique may be used in particular at the interface between a raft or other support and an object being fabricated, after which the printing process may return to a regular process height for additional layers used to fabricate the remainder of the object.
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/40 - Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B29K 55/02 - ABS polymers, i.e. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers
An article of manufacture formed by a three-dimensional printing process that uses multiple build materials with different optical properties (e.g., color, opacity, and the like) at different surface depths to achieve grayscale-rendered images on exterior surfaces thereof.
B32B 3/10 - Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shapeLayered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. apertured or formed of separate pieces of material
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B29C 64/106 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
B29C 64/20 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B33Y 30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
B29K 55/02 - ABS polymers, i.e. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers
24.
Three-dimensional printing with multi-material support
Three-dimensional printer fabrication is improved by receiving a digital model of an object specifying two or more different build materials, prioritizing the different build materials with a ranking, identifying exclusive locations where a surface layer of the object has one of the build materials, generating an external structure for the object according to one or more design rules, matching a first build material of the external structure to a second build material of the object at each of the exclusive locations, the matching based on at least one shared property of the materials, generating tool instructions for fabricating the object and the external structure, the tool instructions including one or more selections between the first build material and the second build material based upon the ranking and the matching, and controlling the three-dimensional printer according to the tool instructions to fabricate the object and the external structure.
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B29C 64/40 - Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
B29C 47/00 - Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor (extrusion blow-moulding B29C 49/04)
B29C 64/00 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
A filament for use with a printer head of a 3D printer includes an exterior surface and an interior surface having color selectively applied thereto, where the color of the interior surface is visible through the exterior surface, and where the color is applied only to the interior surface such that the color remains substantially isolated from components of the printer head when traveling therethrough.
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
A raft to support a three-dimensional object on a build platform of a three-dimensional printer can be fabricated with a controlled adhesion pattern to improve overall raft performance. For improved raft-to-build platform adhesion, an exterior portion around the perimeter of the raft may be fabricated with greater adhesion (per unit of surface area covered by the exterior portion) than an interior portion. This can be accomplished by varying the volume of build material, varying the printing height, or using different patterns of build material. At the same time, adhesion of the raft to a printed object built thereon can be controlled with a number of techniques such as using specific build patterns for the top layer of the raft or varying printing heights (e.g., z-axis position) between the top of the raft and the bottom of the object.
A three-dimensional printer positions a tool such as an extruder in three-dimensional space using a passive, i.e., non-motorized, z-axis alignment technique that generates z-axis movement based upon motorized movements along another axis. In this manner, intermittent z-axis step movements such as those from layer to layer in a multi-layer fabrication process can be performed without the need for an additional, dedicated motor for z-axis movement. The passive system may employ a variety of different gearing techniques to convert x-axis or y-axis movements into a z-axis movement under various conditions. For example, the three-dimensional printing tool may move to a predetermined position along a first axis (e.g., an x-axis or y-axis) where a passive gear assembly engages a rack or the like. When in this predetermined position along the first axis, the tool can move along a second axis and create a resulting movement on a third axis (e.g., the z-axis).
A scanned texture can be applied to a three-dimensional model using a scanner. A user can scan a surface texture with a three-dimensional scanner and then use the same scanner as a three-dimensional input device to apply the texture to a three-dimensional model displayed in a virtual modeling environment. To accomplish this, the surface texture may first be isolated and extracted from a scanned surface. The surface texture can then be applied to a three-dimensional model in a virtual workspace by using the scanner as a navigational and control input. Thus, in a similar manner and motion in which a real-world object is scanned, the surface texture can be applied to the digital model displayed in the virtual modeling environment. The scanner therefore provides a user with a simple and intuitive way in which to capture physical surface textures and apply them to digital objects.
An extrusion head of an extruder is configured to move along a feedpath independently from a heating element so that the extrusion head can yield to extrusion-related forces. Specifically, the extruder may include an extrusion head movably coupled to a thermal core to permit axial displacement of the extrusion head relative to the thermal core. In use, the extrusion head may be displaced within the thermal core when the extruder is subject to extrusion-related forces (e.g., an upward force created by a retraction of build material or a downward force created by an advance of build material). This motion can facilitate better transitions by the extruder between different layers or z-axis positions in a model during fabrication.
An additive three-dimensional fabrication system includes voice control for user interaction. This voice-controlled interface can enable a variety of voice-controlled functions and operations, while supporting interactions specific to consumer-oriented fabrication processes.
G10L 21/00 - Speech or voice signal processing techniques to produce another audible or non-audible signal, e.g. visual or tactile, in order to modify its quality or its intelligibility
G10L 15/22 - Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialog
An extrusion head of an extruder is configured to move along a feedpath independently from a heating element so that the extrusion head can yield to extrusion-related forces. Specifically, the extruder may include an extrusion head movably coupled to a thermal core to permit axial displacement of the extrusion head relative to the thermal core. In use, the extrusion head may be displaced within the thermal core when the extruder is subject to extrusion-related forces (e.g., an upward force created by a refraction of build material or a downward force created by an advance of build material). This motion can facilitate better transitions by the extruder between different layers or z-axis positions in a model during fabrication.
B29C 47/00 - Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor (extrusion blow-moulding B29C 49/04)
B29C 47/08 - Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
A three-dimensional printer positions a tool such as an extruder in three-dimensional space using a passive, i.e., non-motorized, z-axis alignment technique that generates z-axis movement based upon motorized movements along another axis. In this manner, intermittent z-axis step movements such as those from layer to layer in a multi-layer fabrication process can be performed without the need for an additional, dedicated motor for z-axis movement. The passive system may employ a variety of different gearing techniques to convert x-axis or y-axis movements into a z-axis movement under various conditions. For example, the three-dimensional printing tool may move to a predetermined position along a first axis (e.g., an x-axis or y-axis) where a passive gear assembly engages a rack or the like. When in this predetermined position along the first axis, the tool can move along a second axis and create a resulting movement on a third axis (e.g., the z-axis).
B23Q 5/08 - Driving main working members rotary shafts, e.g. working-spindles driven essentially by fluid pressure or pneumatic power electrically controlled
A three-dimensional printer positions a tool such as an extruder in three-dimensional space using a passive, i.e., non-motorized, z-axis alignment technique that generates z-axis movement based upon motorized movements along another axis. In this manner, intermittent z-axis step movements such as those from layer to layer in a multi-layer fabrication process can be performed without the need for an additional, dedicated motor for z-axis movement. The passive system may employ a variety of different gearing techniques to convert x-axis or y-axis movements into a z-axis movement under various conditions. For example, the three-dimensional printing tool may move to a predetermined position along a first axis (e.g., an x-axis or y-axis) where a passive gear assembly engages a rack or the like. When in this predetermined position along the first axis, the tool can move along a second axis and create a resulting movement on a third axis (e.g., the z-axis).
A three-dimensional printer uses its extruder and build platform to properly orient the build platform within a working volume. In a multi-point leveling operation, the extruder is moved to the z-axis origin at a number of x-y positions within the plane of the build platform, and the height of the build platform is adjusted to meet the extruder at the origin. If the build platform is a meltable material such as a plastic, then this leveling process must be performed while the extruder is cool. A homing operation may be performed periodically after leveling in order to realign the z-axis positions of the build platform and extruder. A non-meltable contact point may be usefully provided so that homing can be performed while the extruder is hot, such as immediately before a build or between a number of builds.
An additive three-dimensional fabrication process uses multiple build materials with different optical properties (e.g., color, opacity) at different surface depths to achieve grayscale-rendered images on exterior surfaces thereof.
B32B 3/10 - Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shapeLayered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. apertured or formed of separate pieces of material
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B33Y 30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B33Y 70/00 - Materials specially adapted for additive manufacturing
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
B29K 55/02 - ABS polymers, i.e. acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers
An additive three-dimensional fabrication process is improved by controlling deposition rate to obtain surface textures or other surface features below the nominal processing resolution of fabrication hardware. Sub-resolution information may be obtained, for example, from express metadata (such as for surface texture), or by interpolating data from a source digital model.
By reversing the direction of a first build material fed into an extruder, the first build material can be wholly or partially evacuated from the extruder before a second material is introduced. This approach mitigates transition artifacts and permits faster, more complete changes from one build material to another.
B29C 41/02 - Shaping by coating a mould, core or other substrate, i.e. by depositing material and stripping-off the shaped articleApparatus therefor for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B33Y 50/00 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B33Y 30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
A three-dimensional printer effects color changes in an extrudate using a color-application unit applying a colorant to the interior of a filament before it is melted within an extruder. Specifically, the color-application unit may receive a filament (or portions thereof) having an exposed interior surface, where color applicators are actuated to apply one or more colors to the interior surface of the filament in order to modify the extruded color. The filament may then be coupled, collapsed, or otherwise closed about the interior surface, e.g., by a mechanical coupler, to substantially enclose the interior surface of the filament, which is then fed to the extruder for fabricating a colored object in a three-dimensional fabrication process. By enclosing the colored surface within the filament before melting for extrusion, transition effects of a color change can be mitigated and transition time for a substantially complete change in color can be significantly reduced.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
B33Y 30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/106 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
B29C 64/20 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
A three-dimensional printer uses its extruder and build platform to properly orient the build platform within a working volume. In a multi-point leveling operation, the extruder is moved to the z-axis origin at a number of x-y positions within the plane of the build platform, and the height of the build platform is adjusted to meet the extruder at the origin. If the build platform is a meltable material such as a plastic, then this leveling process must be performed while the extruder is cool. A homing operation may be performed periodically after leveling in order to realign the z-axis positions of the build platform and extruder. A non-meltable contact point may be usefully provided so that homing can be performed while the extruder is hot, such as immediately before a build or between a number of builds.
An assembly that is configured to be coupled to and communicate with a 3D printer having a printer head includes a color-application unit positioned upstream of the 3D printer. The color-application unit is configured to receive a filament and direct the filament to the printer head of the 3D printer. The assembly also includes a color applicator coupled to the color-application unit. The color applicator is operable to selectively apply color to an interior surface of the filament.
An assembly that is configured to be coupled to and communicate with a 3D printer having a printer head includes a color-application unit positioned upstream of the 3D printer. The color-application unit is configured to receive a filament and direct the filament to the printer head of the 3D printer. The assembly also includes a color applicator coupled to the color-application unit. The color applicator is operable to selectively apply color to an interior surface of the filament.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
G05B 15/02 - Systems controlled by a computer electric
B33Y 30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
A build chamber of a three-dimensional printer uses directed heat to preheat a region within the chamber where a build will be initiated, and then uses circulating, heated air to maintain a target temperature for the entire build volume after the build is initiated. A fixed heating element and blower may advantageously be used for both heating steps, and preheating may be accomplished more quickly by initially directing heat at the locus of build initiation rather than diffusing heat throughout an entire build volume.
B29C 41/02 - Shaping by coating a mould, core or other substrate, i.e. by depositing material and stripping-off the shaped articleApparatus therefor for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
A build chamber of a three-dimensional printer uses directed heat to preheat a region within the chamber where a build will be initiated, and then uses circulating, heated air to maintain a target temperature for the entire build volume after the build is initiated. A fixed heating element and blower may advantageously be used for both heating steps, and preheating may be accomplished more quickly by initially directing heat at the locus of build initiation rather than diffusing heat throughout an entire build volume.
An h-bridge uses a diode or other level shifter between the gates of two transistors in series. The level shifter enforces a sufficient voltage separation between the gates to ensure that both transistors cannot be turned on at the same time. In addition to mitigating cross-conduction during switching, the disclosed circuit makes it possible to control the four gates of an h-bridge with two control signals.
An extruder or other similar tool head of a three-dimensional printer is slidably mounted along a feedpath of build material so that the extruder can move into and out of contact with a build surface according to whether build material is being extruded. The extruder may be spring-biased against the forward feedpath so that the extruder remains above the build surface in the absence of applied forces, and then moves downward into a position for extrusion when build material is fed into the extruder. In another aspect, modular tool heads are disclosed that can be automatically coupled to and removed from the three-dimensional printer by a suitable robotics system. A tool crib may be provided to store multiple tool heads while not in use.
B28B 1/14 - Producing shaped articles from the material by simple casting, the material being neither forcibly fed nor positively compacted
B29C 35/08 - Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising by wave energy or particle radiation
B29C 41/02 - Shaping by coating a mould, core or other substrate, i.e. by depositing material and stripping-off the shaped articleApparatus therefor for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
An extruder or other similar tool head of a three-dimensional printer is slidably mounted along a feedpath of build material so that the extruder can move into and out of contact with a build surface according to whether build material is being extruded. The extruder may be spring-biased against the forward feedpath so that the extruder remains above the build surface in the absence of applied forces, and then moves downward into a position for extrusion when build material is fed into the extruder. In another aspect, modular tool heads are disclosed that can be automatically coupled to and removed from the three-dimensional printer by a suitable robotics system. A tool crib may be provided to store multiple tool heads while not in use.
Three-dimensional printer fabrication is improved receiving a digital model of an object, the digital model specifying two or more different build materials; prioritizing the two or more different build materials with a ranking; identifying exclusive locations in the plurality of layers where a surface layer of the object has one of the two or more different build materials; generating an external structure for the object according to one or more design rules; matching a first build material of the external structure to a second build material of the object at each of the exclusive locations; and generating tool instructions for fabricating the object and the external structure using at least the first build material and the second build material.
B29C 64/40 - Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
B29C 47/00 - Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor (extrusion blow-moulding B29C 49/04)
A three-dimensional scanner uses a rotatable mounting structure to secure a laser line source in a manner that permits rotation of a projected laser line about an axis of the laser, along with movement of the laser through an arc in order to conveniently position and orient the resulting laser line. Where the laser scanner uses a turntable or the like, a progressive calibration scheme may be employed with a calibration fixture to calibrate a camera, a turntable, and a laser for coordinated use as a three-dimensional scanner. Finally, parameters for a scan may be automatically created to control, e.g., laser intensity and camera exposure based on characteristics of a scan subject such as surface characteristics or color gradient.
G01B 11/25 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures by projecting a pattern, e.g. moiré fringes, on the object
The strength of a bond between two adjacent layers of a three-dimensional print is weakened by initiating fabrication of a top layer at a height greater than the processing height for the print. This technique may be used in particular at the interface between a raft or other support and an object being fabricated, after which the printing process may return to a regular process height for additional layers used to fabricate the remainder of the object.
A photo booth is configured with a three-dimensional scanner, a display with a user interface coupled to the photo booth, a network interface configured to couple the photo booth in a communicating relationship with a remote processing resource, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to associate a user identifier and a user with a subject, capture a scan of the subject in the photo booth with the three-dimensional scanner, process the scan to obtain a three-dimensional model of the subject, receive a user customization of the three-dimensional model in the user interface, the user customization resulting in a modification of the three-dimensional model, create a fabrication-ready digital model of the three-dimensional model including the modification, and store the fabrication-ready digital model.
B29C 47/00 - Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor (extrusion blow-moulding B29C 49/04)
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Downloadable mobile applications, namely a software
application for use on any mobile device, for facilitating
the downloading, modification and sharing of three
dimensional designs on the internet. Website for facilitating the downloading, modification and
sharing of three dimensional designs on the Internet for use
in connection with three dimensional printers and plotter
printers.
A variety of techniques are disclosed for customizing a digital model of an aesthetic housing to receive a functional component and an interface component for the functional component.
By reversing the direction of a first build material fed into an extruder, the first build material can be wholly or partially evacuated from the extruder before a second material is introduced. This approach mitigates transition artifacts and permits faster, more complete changes from one build material to another. In one aspect, a method disclosed herein includes providing a three-dimensional printer having an extruder with a first input port, a second input port, an extrusion port, and a chamber coupling the first input port, the second input port, and the extrusion port in fluid communication; driving a first build material through the first input port until the first build material extrudes through the extrusion port; withdrawing the first build material through the first input port a predetermined amount; and driving a second build material through the second input port until the second build material extrudes through the extrusion port.
By reversing the direction of a first build material fed into an extruder, the first build material can be wholly or partially evacuated from the extruder before a second material is introduced. This approach mitigates transition artifacts and permits faster, more complete changes from one build material to another.
B29C 41/02 - Shaping by coating a mould, core or other substrate, i.e. by depositing material and stripping-off the shaped articleApparatus therefor for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
76.
Three dimensional printer with removable, replaceable print nozzle
A photo booth is configured with a three-dimensional scanner, a display with a user interface coupled to the photo booth, a network interface configured to couple the photo booth in a communicating relationship with a remote processing resource, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to associate a user identifier and a user with a subject, capture a scan of the subject in the photo booth with the three-dimensional scanner, process the scan to obtain a three-dimensional model of the subject, receive a user customization of the three-dimensional model in the user interface, the user customization resulting in a modification of the three-dimensional model, create a fabrication-ready digital model of the three-dimensional model including the modification, and store the fabrication-ready digital model.
B29C 47/00 - Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor (extrusion blow-moulding B29C 49/04)
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
An extruder for a three-dimension printer uses a printed circuit board (PCB) heating element with leads having temperature-sensitive resistance. The resulting circuit can be driven at high power to heat an extruder, or at a low power with a known current to measure a resistance from which temperature can be inferred. Thus a single circuit on a printed circuit board can be driven alternately in two modes to heat and sense temperature of an extruder.
A three-dimensional printer uses transitional lengths of build material to facilitate changes from one color to another during a fabrication process, and more generally to achieve multi-color objects corresponding to color patterns on the surface of a three-dimensional model. The transitional lengths of build material may be positioned inside a fabricated object, such as for infill, or outside the fabricated object where undesirable aesthetic properties of the transitional lengths will not impact the desired distribution of colors on the surface of the fabricated object.
B29C 64/118 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
B33Y 30/00 - Apparatus for additive manufacturingDetails thereof or accessories therefor
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B33Y 50/00 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B33Y 40/00 - Auxiliary operations or equipment, e.g. for material handling
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B29C 64/00 - Additive manufacturing, i.e. manufacturing of three-dimensional [3D] objects by additive deposition, additive agglomeration or additive layering, e.g. by 3D printing, stereolithography or selective laser sintering
B29C 64/106 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
B29C 64/393 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
B29C 64/112 - Processes of additive manufacturing using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
A three-dimensional printer includes a laser line scanner and hardware to rotate the scanner relative to an object on a build platform. In this configuration, three-dimensional surface data can be obtained from the object, e.g., for use as an input to subsequent processing steps such as the generation of tool instructions to fabricate a three-dimensional copy of the object, or various surfaces thereof.
A three-dimensional printer includes a laser line scanner and hardware to rotate the scanner relative to an object on a build platform. In this configuration, three-dimensional surface data can be obtained from the object, e.g., for use as an input to subsequent processing steps such as the generation of tool instructions to fabricate a three-dimensional copy of the object, or various surfaces thereof.
A three-dimensional printer includes a laser line scanner and hardware to rotate the scanner relative to an object on a build platform. In this configuration, three- dimensional surface data can be obtained from the object, e.g., for use as an input to subsequent processing steps such as the generation of tool instructions to fabricate a three-dimensional copy of the object, or various surfaces thereof.
B28B 1/14 - Producing shaped articles from the material by simple casting, the material being neither forcibly fed nor positively compacted
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articlesMeans for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
F16M 11/12 - Means for attachment of apparatusMeans allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting in more than one direction
F16M 11/18 - Heads with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
A three-dimensional printer uses leveling screws with tactile feedback to assist a user in properly orienting a build platform within a working volume.
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
F16M 13/02 - Other supports for positioning apparatus or articlesMeans for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
F16M 11/12 - Means for attachment of apparatusMeans allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting in more than one direction
F16M 11/18 - Heads with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
G05B 19/4099 - Surface or curve machining, making 3D objects, e.g. desktop manufacturing
B33Y 50/02 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
A variety of thermochromic build materials are disclosed for use in color-controlled three-dimensional printing. By providing materials that exhibit a final color dependent upon heat applied during a melt or extrusion process, objects can be fabricated having a user-controlled color that varies from object to object, or within a single object.
An additive three-dimensional fabrication system includes voice control for user interaction. This voice-controlled interface can enable a variety of voice-controlled functions and operations, while supporting interactions specific to consumer-oriented fabrication processes.
G10L 21/00 - Speech or voice signal processing techniques to produce another audible or non-audible signal, e.g. visual or tactile, in order to modify its quality or its intelligibility
Three-dimensional fabrication resources are improved by adding networking capabilities to three-dimensional printers and providing a variety of tools for networked use of three-dimensional printers. Web-based servers or the like can provide a single point of access for remote users to manage access to distributed content on one hand, and to manage use of distributed fabrication resources on the other.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
An additive three-dimensional fabrication process uses multiple build materials with different optical properties (e.g., color, opacity) at different surface depths to achieve grayscale-rendered images on exterior surfaces thereof.
B29C 41/22 - Making multilayered or multicoloured articles
B32B 3/10 - Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shapeLayered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a discontinuous layer, i.e. apertured or formed of separate pieces of material
B29C 67/00 - Shaping techniques not covered by groups , or
An additive three-dimensional fabrication process is improved by controlling deposition rate to obtain surface textures or other surface features below the nominal processing resolution of fabrication hardware. Sub-resolution information may be obtained, for example, from express metadata (such as for surface texture), or by interpolating data from a source digital model.
B28B 5/00 - Producing shaped articles from the material in moulds or on moulding surfaces, carried or formed by, in or on conveyors irrespective of the manner of shaping
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
17 - Rubber and plastic; packing and insulating materials
35 - Advertising and business services
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
Goods & Services
Printer for making three dimensional shapes and figures;
circuit boards; software for facilitating the downloading,
modification and sharing of three dimensional designs on the
Internet for use in connection with three dimensional
printers. Plastic materials in extruded form for use in manufacturing;
polymer materials in extruded form for use in manufacturing. Online and retail store services relating to printers for
three dimensional shapes, circuit boards, software, polymers
for three dimensional printing and supplies for three
dimensional printing. Custom prototype fabrication of new parts, components and
models for others, namely, jewelry, furniture, ornaments,
arts objects, artifacts, household goods, toys, games, hobby
models, office products, and various other consumer
products; custom manufacturing for others of parts,
components and models for personal, commercial or industrial
products, namely, jewelry, furniture, ornaments, art
objects, artifacts, household goods, toys, games, hobby
models, office products, and various other consumer
products; providing material treatment information, on-line
from the Internet; providing advisory services related to
the technical manufacture of objects using a three
dimensional printer; provision of information, advice and
consultancy in relation to custom prototype fabrication of
objects using a three dimensional printer.
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
Goods & Services
[ Installation, ] maintenance and repair of 3D printers; Technical support services, namely, technical advice related to the repair and maintenance of 3D printers
Multiple extrusion drive motors are nested in an overlapping configuration that permits re-use of the drive axes to support drive gears and complementary guide bearings, resulting in a compact arrangement of independently controllable extruders for multiple build materials.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
17 - Rubber and plastic; packing and insulating materials
35 - Advertising and business services
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
(1) Three dimensional printer for making three dimensional shapes and figures; circuit boards; software for facilitating the downloading, modification and sharing of three dimensional designs on the Internet for use in connection with three dimensional printers.
(2) Plastic materials in extruded form for use with three dimensional printers for use in manufacturing; polymer materials in extruded form for use with three dimensional printers for use in manufacturing (1) Custom prototype fabrication of new parts, components and models for others using a three dimensional printer, namely, jewelry, furniture, ornaments, arts objects, articrafts, household goods, toys, games, hobby models, office products, and various other consumer products; custom manufacturing for others of parts, components and models for personal, commercial or industrial products using a three dimensional printer, namely, jewelry, furniture, ornaments, arts objects, articrafts, household goods, toys, games, hobby models, office products, and various other consumer products; providing material treatment information, on-line from the Internet; technical support services, namely, providing technical advice related to the manufacture of objects using a three dimensional printer; provision of information, advice and consultancy in relation to custom prototype fabrication of objects using a three dimensional printer
(2) Online and retail store services relating to printers for three dimensional shapes, circuit boards, software, polymers for three dimensional printing and supplies for three dimensional printing
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
17 - Rubber and plastic; packing and insulating materials
35 - Advertising and business services
Goods & Services
[ Custom prototype fabrication of new parts, components and models for others, namely, jewelry, furniture, ornaments, arts objects, artifacts, household goods, toys, games, hobby models, office products, and various other consumer products; custom manufacturing for others of parts, components and models for personal, commercial or industrial products, namely, jewelry, furniture, ornaments, art objects, artifacts, household goods, toys, games, hobby models, office products, and various other consumer products; ]providing material treatment information, on-line from the Internet; Technical support services, namely, providing technical advice related to the manufacture of objects using a three dimensional printer; Provision of information, advice and consultancy in relation to custom prototype fabrication of objects using a three dimensional printer plastic materials in extruded form for use in manufacturing; polymer materials in extruded form for use in manufacturing Online [ and retail ] store services relating to printers for three dimensional shapes, [ circuit boards, ] software, polymers for three dimensional printing and supplies for three dimensional printing
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
website for facilitating the downloading, modification and sharing of three dimensional designs on the Internet for use in connection with three dimensional printers and plotter printers
