Abstract:
A method of removing support material attached to an object printed with build material by a three-dimensional object printer achieves reliable removal of the support material in a short time. The method includes moving a first dry absorbent media into a volume within a vessel having at least one wall and moving the object into the volume of the vessel. The vessel is agitated to enable the first dry absorbent media to dislodge and absorb the support material from the object, and the first dry absorbent media is moved from the volume of the vessel.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object facilitates removal of the three-dimensional object from the platen on which the object was formed. The method includes rotating the platen from a horizontally level position to a position at an angle to the level position to enable gravity to urge the three-dimensional object away from the platen and inductively heating the platen to melt support material at the boundary of the object and the platen to release the three-dimensional object from the platen.
Abstract:
A mobile cart that moves through a three-dimensional object printing system includes a platform, and at least one bearing operatively connected to the platform and configured to engage with a lower surface of a rail of the printing system in order to locate the platform with respect to an ejector head positioned opposite the rail. The cart further includes at least one other bearing operatively connected to the platform and configured to engage with an upper surface of the rail and apply a bias force that urges the at least one bearing against the lower surface of the rail. The rail can be configured to block material ejected by the ejector head from reaching the lower surface thereon.
Abstract:
A method of removing support material attached to an object printed with build material by a three-dimensional object printer achieves reliable removal of the support material in a short time. The method includes moving a first dry absorbent media into a volume within a vessel having at least one wall and moving the object into the volume of the vessel. The vessel is agitated to enable the first dry absorbent media to dislodge and absorb the support material from the object, and the first dry absorbent media is moved from the volume of the vessel.
Abstract:
A printing system includes a maintenance device that is configured to correspond to different configurations of a scalable printhead array. The printing system includes a first printhead array having a plurality of printheads and a pair of frames disposed in parallel and on opposite ends of the first printhead array. A first maintenance platform is mounted between the pair of frames and configured move from a first position at a first side of the first printhead array to a second position opposite faces of the printheads in the first printhead array. The first maintenance platform is configured to perform a maintenance operation on the plurality of printheads of the first printhead array when the platform is at the second position, and a first actuator is configured to move the first maintenance platform between the first position at the first side of the printhead array and the second position.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object facilitates removal of the three-dimensional object from the platen on which the object was formed. The method includes rotating the platen from a horizontally level position to a position at an angle to the level position to enable gravity to urge the three-dimensional object away from the platen and inductively heating the platen to melt support material at the boundary of the object and the platen to release the three-dimensional object from the platen.
Abstract:
A printer is configured to clean material from rails on which a cart rolls. The printer includes an ejector head configured to eject a material in a print zone, a first cylindrical member extending through the print zone, an actuator operatively coupled to the first cylindrical member and configured to axially rotate the first cylindrical member, a platform configured to move in a process direction along a surface of the first cylindrical member and receive material ejected by the ejector head in the print zone, and a first cleaner positioned to engage the surface of the first cylindrical member as the first cylindrical member is rotated by the actuator to remove material accumulated on the surface of the first cylindrical member.
Abstract:
A mobile cart that moves through a three-dimensional object printing system includes a platform, and at least one bearing operatively connected to the platform and configured to engage with a lower surface of a rail of the printing system in order to locate the platform with respect to an ejector head positioned opposite the rail. The cart further includes at least one other bearing operatively connected to the platform and configured to engage with an upper surface of the rail and apply a bias force that urges the at least one bearing against the lower surface of the rail. The rail can be configured to block material ejected by the ejector head from reaching the lower surface thereon.
Abstract:
A printer comprises at least one printhead having a plurality of inkjets, a dryer having an array of radiators including a plurality of rows of radiators and a plurality of columns of radiators, a media transport configured to move media past the at least one printhead and the dryer, and a controller operatively connected to the at least one printhead, the dryer, and the media transport. The controller is configured to activate selectively the radiators in the array of radiators to heat the portions of the surface of the media on which ink has been ejected. A method for operating the printer is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A system for cleaning precision rails of a three-dimensional object printer has been developed. The printer includes a track having a pair of precision rails positioned beneath a printing station having an ejector head configured to eject drops of material onto a substrate of a cart that moves along the rails. An air source with a duct is configured with a slot to direct an air flow onto one of the precision rails to prevent dust or other airborne particles from collecting on the precision rail.