Method for supporting three dimensional (3D) printed features

US11235382B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Xerox Corporation · US
• Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated · US

Inventors

• David A. Mantell · Rochester, US
• Daniel Cormier · Pittsford, US
• Christopher T. Chungbin · Rochester, US
• Zachary S. Vader · East Amherst, US
• Viktor Sukhotskiy · Buffalo, US
• Scott J. Vader · Toronto, CA
• David G. Tilley · Fairport, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 28, 2019
• Grant date: Feb 1, 2022
• Expiry date: Jan 16, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P10/25
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for printing a structure, the structure including a plurality of pillars. The method for printing can include ejecting only a first drop of a print material such as a liquid metal sequentially at each of a plurality of pillar locations, then ejecting only a second drop of the print material sequentially onto the first drop at each of the plurality of print locations. Additional drops can be ejected at two or more of the pillar locations to form the plurality of pillars. Ejecting only a first drop at each pillar location allows the first drop to cure (i.e., cool or dry) before ejecting the second drop. The printer continues printing while the drops cure, thus improving processing efficiency and increasing production throughput.