Abstract:
A three-dimensional printing system, the system comprising a build platform and a printhead for depositing a conductive print material at deposition contact points of a build surface on the build platform. A heating system comprises at least one induction coil for preheating the deposition contact points of the build surface.
Abstract:
In an example embodiment, an image processing system can be implemented, which includes a printing surface and a prism that splits light from an input light source into two parallel light beams indicative of a signal image. Two or more DMDs (Digital Micromirror Devices) can be utilized, wherein the two parallel light beams are directed to the DMDs for image processing, such that as the two parallel light beams are reflected out onto the printing surface, the two parallel light beams are recombined into a single image, thereby enabling heat dissipation while “stitching” said output of said at least two digital micromirror devices to a usable video path.
Abstract:
A cart that moves through a three-dimensional object printing system includes a platform and a cleaning device configured to remove material from a surface as the platform passes the surface. The cart further includes a rechargeable power supply configured to be connected to the cleaning device. A controller onboard the cart is operatively connected to the rechargeable power supply and the cleaning device. The controller is configured to connect the rechargeable power supply to the cleaning device and operate the cleaning device to clean the surface.
Abstract:
A DMD cooling apparatus and method includes a DMD chip configured on a substrate, and a heatsink located within and integrated into the substrate upon which the DMD is configured. A plurality of micro-channels can be formed on a backside of the substrate. The micro-channels are fabricated via microlithography in association with a fabrication of the DMD chip such that the heatsink integrated into the silicon substrate allows for direct heat removal from the substrate.
Abstract:
A DMD cooling apparatus and method includes a DMD chip configured on a substrate, and a heatsink located within and integrated into the substrate upon which the DMD is configured. A plurality of micro-channels can be formed on a backside of the substrate. The micro-channels are fabricated via microlithography in association with a fabrication of the DMD chip such that the heatsink integrated into the silicon substrate allows for direct heat removal from the substrate.
Abstract:
A cart that helps eliminate contaminants from a printing system with a rail support track includes a platform, a first bearing, and a first blade. The first bearing is operatively connected to the platform, and is positioned and configured to roll along a first cylindrical rail of a rail support track of a printing system to enable the platform to move along the first cylindrical rail. The first blade has a leading edge oriented at an acute angle relative to a curved surface of the first cylindrical rail, and is configured to engage the curved surface to remove contaminant as the cart moves along the first cylindrical rail.
Abstract:
A method operates a three-dimensional (3D) metal object manufacturing system to maintain a temperature of an uppermost layer of a 3D metal object being formed within a temperature range conducive for bonding between the uppermost layer and a next layer to be formed. A controller of the system compares a temperature of the uppermost layer with at least a low end temperature of the temperature range and operates an electrical resistance switching network using 3D model data to provide electrical power selectively to heating elements in a modular heater to heat the 3D metal object being formed when the temperature indicated by the signal from the sensor is less than the predetermined temperature.
Abstract:
A transport item moves in a process direction to transport sheets of media. The transport item is positioned between an inkjet printhead and a receptacle. The inkjet printhead has nozzles. The transport item has openings arranged in a pattern, the pattern of the openings is consistent along all of the transport item, and the pattern of the openings in the transport item aligns at least one opening with each of the locations of the nozzles as the transport item moves in the process direction. The nozzles eject ink through the openings to the receptacle when the nozzles are aligned with the openings. When controlling the nozzles to eject ink through the openings to the receptacle, a controller can control the nozzles to simultaneously eject ink on a sheet of media while ejecting ink through the openings to the receptacle.
Abstract:
A height adjuster moves a platform along a cart frame, and the platform contacts an alignment stop when the platform is in a loading position on the cart frame. Platform slots are connected to the platform, and the platform slots are sized and shaped to match the size and shape of linear projections of a replaceable printing module. Clamps are sized and shaped to connect to connection points of a printing device and align the cart frame to the printer frame. The platform slots are positioned by the platform to be aligned with housing slots of the printing device when the clamps connect the transport cart to the printing device, and when the platform contacts the alignment stop (and is in the loading position) this allow the replaceable printing module to be transferred between the transport cart and the printing device.
Abstract:
A cart that moves through a three-dimensional object printing system includes a platform and a cleaning device configured to remove material from a surface as the platform passes the surface. The cart further includes a rechargeable power supply configured to be connected to the cleaning device. A controller onboard the cart is operatively connected to the rechargeable power supply and the cleaning device. The controller is configured to connect the rechargeable power supply to the cleaning device and operate the cleaning device to clean the surface.