Method and system for reuse of materials in additive manufacturing systems
US9688020B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jun 27, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y30/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method for reusing surplus material generated by an Additive Manufacturing system in the process of manufacturing a 3-dimensional (3D) object. Surplus material removed from deposited layers and purged material used for printing head maintenance are transferred to back to the printing system to be deposited within subsequent layers. The reusable material may be deposited within the boundaries of a cross section of the 3-dimensional object to become part of 3D object or outside the boundaries of a cross section of the 3-dimensional object as part of the support construction, which is removed from the finished product. According to embodiments of the invention, a portion of the waste material for disposal may be deposited and cured layer by layer to form a waste block, concurrently with printing the layers of the 3D dimensional object. The fully cured waste block may be then disposed of in a safe manner.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.