Rapid prototyping apparatus
US7500846B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 2, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/49023
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Apparatus for producing an object by sequentially forming thin layers of a construction material one on top of the other responsive to data defining the object, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of printing heads each having a surface formed with a plurality of output orifices and controllable to dispense the construction material through each orifice independently of the other orifices; a shuttle to which the printing heads are mounted; a support surface; and a controller adapted to control the shuttle to move back and forth over the support surface and as the shuttle moves to control the printing heads to dispense the construction material through each of their respective orifices responsive to the data to form a first layer on the support surface and thereafter, sequentially the other layers; wherein each printing head is dismountable from the shuttle and replaceable independently of the other printing heads.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.