Electrostatic 3-D development apparatus using different melting point materials
US10195787B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 2016 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/1695
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Layers of build and support material on an intermediate transfer surface are moved past a transfuse station and a platen moves relative to the intermediate transfer surface to contact the platen to one of the layers on the intermediate transfer surface. The intermediate transfer surface transfers a layer of the build material and the support material to the platen each time the platen contacts the layers on the intermediate transfer surface at the transfuse station to successively form a freestanding stack of the layers of build and support material on the platen. The build material has a higher melting temperature than the support material. A support material removal station heats the stack to a temperature above the melting temperature of the support material, but below the melting temperature of the build material, to melt the support material, but leave a 3-D structure made of only the build material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.