Three-dimensional (“3D”) printing apparatus with counter-rotating roller
Examples relate to a print station of a three-dimensional (“3D”) printing apparatus, and method of 3D printing, the print station including a substrate configured to hold a printed object, the substrate having a longitudinal axis, and a print system over the substrate, the print system including a powder distribution device including a blade-shaped end, and a powder uniformization device located at a distance from the powder distribution device along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis.
1. A print station of a three-dimensional (“3D”) printing apparatus, the print station comprising:
a substrate configured to hold a printed object, the substrate having a longitudinal axis; and
a print system over the substrate, the print system including:
a powder distribution device including a blade-shaped end which is a lowest portion of the powder distribution device;
a powder uniformization device, comprised of a roller, located at a distance from the powder distribution device along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis; and
a vibrating device configured to vibrate the roller at a rapid frequency,
wherein a surface of the roller is coated by a coating having a thickness in a range of 100 nm to 500 um and comprising at least one of a plastic coating, a Teflon coating, and an anodized coating.
2. A print station of a three-dimensional (“3D”) printing apparatus, the print station comprising:
a substrate configured to hold a printed object, the substrate having a longitudinal axis; and
a print system over the substrate, the print system including:
a powder distribution device including a blade-shaped end which is a lowest portion of the powder distribution device; and
a powder uniformization device, comprised of a roller, located at a distance from the powder distribution device along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis,
wherein the powder distribution device comprises at least one of a dehumidifier and an inert gas enclosed therein.
3. The print station of claim 1 , wherein the powder distribution device is adjustable in height relative to the substrate to adjust a first thickness of a powder feeder gap between the blade-shaped end and the substrate.
4. The print station of claim 2 , wherein the powder distribution device is adjustable in height relative to the substrate to adjust a first thickness of a powder feeder gap between the blade-shaped end and the substrate.
5. The print station of claim 1 , wherein the powder uniformization device is adjustable in height relative to the substrate to adjust a final thickness of a roller gap between the roller and the substrate.
6. The print station of claim 2 , wherein the powder uniformization device is adjustable in height relative to the substrate to adjust a final thickness of a roller gap between the roller and the substrate.
7. The print station of claim 1 , wherein the powder distribution device comprises a powder feeder, and wherein the print station further comprises:
a first adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the first thickness of the powder feeder gap between the blade-shaped end of the powder feeder and the substrate; and
a second adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the final thickness of the roller gap between a lowest portion of the roller and the substrate,
wherein the first and second adjustment mechanisms are independently adjustable.
8. The print station of claim 7 , wherein the powder feeder gap is dynamically adjustable to promote a uniform powder in front of the roller.
9. The print station of claim 2 , wherein the powder distribution device comprises a powder feeder, and wherein the print station further comprises:
a first adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the first thickness of the powder feeder gap between the blade-shaped end of the powder feeder and the substrate; and
a second adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the final thickness of the roller gap between a lowest portion of the roller and the substrate,
wherein the first and second adjustment mechanisms are independently adjustable.
10. The print station of claim 9 , wherein the powder feeder gap is dynamically adjustable to promote a uniform powder in front of the roller.
11. The print station of claim 1 , wherein the powder uniformization device comprises a counter-rotating roller.
12. The print station of claim 11 , wherein the counter-rotating roller is configured to provide an adjustable angle such that accumulated powder on the substrate is released behind the counter-rotating roller.
13. The print station of claim 2 , wherein the powder uniformization device comprises a counter-rotating roller.
14. The print station of claim 13 , wherein the counter-rotating roller is configured to provide an adjustable angle such that accumulated powder on the substrate is released behind the counter-rotating roller.
15. The print station of claim 1 , further comprising:
a roller cleaning device configured to at least one of remove residual powder from the roller and apply an electric charge to the roller.
16. The print station of claim 2 , further comprising:
a roller cleaning device configured to at least one of remove residual powder from the roller and apply an electric charge to the roller.
17. The print station of claim 1 , wherein:
the substrate is movable with respect to the print system along the longitudinal axis; and
the print system is static with respect to the longitudinal axis.
18. The print station of claim 2 , wherein:
the substrate is movable with respect to the print system along the longitudinal axis; and
the print system is static with respect to the longitudinal axis.
19. The print station of claim 1 , wherein both the print system and the substrate are movable with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis.
20. The print station of claim 2 , wherein both the print system and the substrate are movable with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis.