Incremental printing of symbolic information – Ink jet – Ejector mechanism
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-25
2002-03-19
Colilla, Daniel J. (Department: 2854)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Ink jet
Ejector mechanism
C264S113000, C264S129000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06357855
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the formation of three-dimensional objects on substantially layer-by-layer basis with enhanced resolution. The invention utilizes a unique offset printhead containing groups of jets to selectively deposit a hot-melt material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Rapid prototyping and modeling (RP&M) is the name given to a field of technologies that may be utilized to form three-dimensional objects rapidly and automatically from three-dimensional computer data representing the objects. In particular the present invention pertains to selective deposition modeling (SDM).
The essence of selective deposition modeling in the present invention is through the use of ink jets and in particular from an offset ink-jet head. In particular, a selective deposition modeling machine typically operates through the movement of a printhead in a X-direction that sprays a hot-melt material from the ink jets onto a building surface. The building surface is upon a building platform. The building platform moves in the Y-direction. The building platform also moves in the Z-direction. For practical purposes in the discussion of this invention the movement in the Z-direction is not particularly consequential.
The stereolithography class of technologies create three-dimensional objects based on the successive formation of layers of a fluid-like medium adjacent to previously formed layers of medium and the selective solidification of those layers according to cross-sectional data representing successive slices of the three-dimensional object in order to form and adhere laminae. Another technique is called Multijet Modeling, MJM, and involves the selective deposition of droplets of material from multiple ink jet orifices to speed the building process. MJM is described in PCT Publication Nos. WO 97-11835 published Apr. 3, 1997 naming Leyden as an inventor and WO 97-11837 published Apr. 3, 1997 naming Earl as an inventor (both assigned to 3D Systems, Inc. as is the instant application).
Selective Deposition Modeling, SDM, involves the build-up of three-dimensional objects by selectively depositing solidifiable material on a lamina-by-lamina basis according to cross-sectional data representing slices of the three-dimensional object. One such technique is called Fused Deposition Modeling, FDM, and involves the extrusion of streams of heated, flowable material which solidify as they are dispensed onto the previously formed laminae of the object. An example FDM process is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,329 issued Jun. 9, 1992 to Crump. Another technique is called ballistic particle manufacturing which uses a 5-axis, ink-jet dispenser to direct particles of a material onto previously solidified layers of the object. Example ballistic particle manufacturing proceses are described in PCT publication numbers WO 96-12607 published May 2, 1996 listing Brown as an inventor; WO 96-12608 published May 2, 1996 listing Brown as an inventor; WO 96-12609 published May 2, 1996 listing Menhennett as an inventor; and WO 96-12610 published May 2, 1996 listing Menhennett as an inventor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention describes a printhead assembly for a three-dimensional printer comprising a non-linear printhead having a width and a length, said non-linear printhead length having a lengthwise axis, a dispensing carriage having a width and a length, said dispensing carriage length having a lengthwise axis, said non-linear printhead connected with said dispensing carriage and provided further that the lengthwise axis of said non-linear printhead and the lengthwise axis of said dispensing carriage, would if in the same plane, intersect.
A further feature of the present invention is a printhead assembly for a three-dimensional printer comprising a non-linear printhead having a width and a length, said non-linear printhead length having a lengthwise axis, a dispensing carriage having a width and a length, said dispensing carriage length having a lengthwise axis, said non-linear printhead connected with said dispensing carriage and provided further that the lengthwise axis of said non-linear printhead and the lengthwise axis of said dispensing carriage are not parallel and are not coincidental.
Yet a firther embodiment of the present invention is a method for three-dimensional printing to obtain a three-dimensional object including utilizing a printhead assembly comprising a non-linear printhead having a width and a length, said non-linear printhead length having a lengthwise axis, a dispensing carriage having a width and a length, said dispensing carriage length having a lengthwise axis, said non-linear printhead connected with said dispensing carriage and provided further that the lengthwise axis of said non-linear printhead and the lengthwise axis of said dispensing carriage, would if in the same plane, intersect and jetting a material from the printhead on successive occasions to obtain a three-dimensional object.
Yet a further aspect of the present invention is a method of three-dimensional printing to obtain a three-dimensional object including utilizing a printhead assembly comprising a non-linear printhead having a width and a length, said non-linear printhead length having a lengthwise axis, a dispensing carriage having a width and a length, said dispensing carriage length having a lengthwise axis, said non-linear printhead connected with said dispensing carriage and provided further that the lengthwise axis of said non-linear printhead and the lengthwise axis of said dispensing carriage are not parallel and are not coincidental, and jetting a material from the printhead on successive occasions to obtain a three-dimensional object.
Yet a further embodiment of the present invention is a three-dimensional printing apparatus employing an offset printhead and a moveable printing platform wherein the offset printhead, when in operation, moves in the direction of the X-axis (Y-Z plane) and the moveable printing platform moves, when in operation, in the direction of the Y-axis (X-Z plane), wherein the printhead, when printing, deploys a greater number of droplets per inch in the in the direction of the X-axis and a lesser number of droplets per inch in the in the direction of the Y-axis.
Yet a further aspect of the present invention is a method of three-dimensional printing employing an offset printhead and a moveable printing platform wherein the offset printhead, when in operation, moves in the direction of the X-axis (Y-Z plane) and the moveable printing platform moves, when in operation, in the direction of the Y-axis (X-Z plane), wherein the printhead, when printing, deploys a greater number of droplets per inch in the in the direction of the X-axis and a lesser number of droplets per inch in the in the direction of the Y-axis.
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Lane et al., “Correction of Aerodynamic Drag in Ink Jet Streams,” Mar. 1976, IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, vol. 18, No. 10, pp. 3474-3475.
Bedal Bryan J. L.
Brown Joe M.
Kerekes Thomas A.
3-D Systems, Inc.
Colilla Daniel J.
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