초록 ▼

A three-dimensional article making apparatus includes a build material dispenser positioned adjacent a platform for ejecting a plurality of droplets of build material; and dispenser positioners for relatively positioning the dispenser in five degrees of freedom with respect to the platform. Accordin

A three-dimensional article making apparatus includes a build material dispenser positioned adjacent a platform for ejecting a plurality of droplets of build material; and dispenser positioners for relatively positioning the dispenser in five degrees of freedom with respect to the platform. Accordingly, the dispenser may be rotated and flipped to permit construction of a cantilevered portion of an article without requiring support material. The dispenser positioners include a Z-direction positioner for positioning the dispenser vertically relative to the platform, an X-Y positioner for positioning the dispenser in an X-Y planar direction relative to the platform, a flip angle positioner for rotatably positioning the dispenser relative to a generally horizontal axis, and a phi angle positioner for rotatably positioning the dispenser relative to a generally vertical axis. A processor is operatively connected to the dispenser and the dispenser positioners for advancing the dispenser along a predetermined path of travel while operating or firing the dispenser to construct the three-dimensional article in successive layers or portions based upon the article defining data. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

[ That which is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for making a three-dimensional article based upon article defining data, said apparatus comprising:a platform;a build material dispenser positioned adjacent said platform for dispensing a plurality of droplets of build material;dispenser positioning mea

[ That which is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for making a three-dimensional article based upon article defining data, said apparatus comprising:a platform;a build material dispenser positioned adjacent said platform for dispensing a plurality of droplets of build material;dispenser positioning means for relatively positioning said dispenser with respect to said platform and comprisingZ-direction positioning means for positioning said dispenser and said platform vertically relative to one another,X-Y positioning means for positioning said dispenser and said platform in an X-Y planar direction relative to one another,flip angle positioning means for rotatably positioning said dispenser relative to an axis generally parallel to said platform,phi angle positioning means for rotatably positioning said dispenser relative to an axis generally perpendicular to said platform; anda processor operatively connected to said dispenser and said dispenser positioning means for advancing said dispenser along a predetermined path of travel and controlling an orientation of said dispenser relative to said platform while operating said dispenser to construct the article based upon the article defining data.