Starter piece and printing methods for additive manufacturing system
US10583646B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 2016 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 15, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y50/02
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A starter piece for printing a three-dimensional item includes a main body having a face surface, a keel coupled to the main body, a guide tab extending from the keel, and at least one retaining mechanism coupled to the main body. Printing a three-dimensional item with an additive manufacturing system having a print foundation, a print head configured to print the three-dimensional item, and a plurality of support rails includes printing a support structure for the three-dimensional item in a layer by layer manner along the printing axis along with the printing of the three-dimensional item. The support structure is printed to provide a support between the three-dimensional item and the plurality of support rails of the additive manufacturing system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.