Additive manufacturing apparatus, system, and method
An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional object includes a support assembly having a build platform, a track extending through a build area, and a deposition mechanism mounted on the track and configured for producing the three-dimensional object in a layer-by-layer technique. The deposition mechanism includes a carriage moveable along the track, a supply of a flowable material mounted on the carriage, a roller in communication with the flowable material, where the roller is rotatably mounted on the carriage and configured for rotating to carry the flowable resin to an application for application to produce the object, and an exposure device mounted on the carriage. The exposure device emits electromagnetic waves to an exposure site to solidify the applied flowable material to produce the object. The roller is permeable to the electromagnetic waves, such that the waves pass through the roller in traveling from the exposure device to the exposure site.
1 . A method comprising:
providing an apparatus comprising:
a support assembly comprising a build platform defining a build area;
a track extending through the build area; and
a deposition mechanism mounted on the track, the deposition mechanism comprising a carriage configured for movement along the track through the build area, a supply of a flowable resin mounted on the carriage, an applicator in communication with the supply of the flowable resin and configured for application of the flowable resin, and an exposure device mounted on the carriage and configured for emitting electromagnetic waves,
wherein the build platform is moveable between a build position and a tending position, wherein the build platform faces toward the track in the build position, and wherein the build platform faces away from the track in the tending position;
moving the deposition mechanism through the build area along the track while the build platform is in the build position, and applying the flowable resin to an application site within the build area, using the applicator, to produce first and second three-dimensional objects simultaneously on the build platform in a layer-by-layer technique as the carriage passes through the build area;
selectively activating the exposure device to emit the electromagnetic waves toward an exposure site within the build area to solidify applied resin applied by the applicator to produce the first and second three-dimensional objects simultaneously;
moving the build platform from the build position to the tending position;
removing the first three-dimensional object from the build platform while the build platform is in the tending position;
returning the build platform to the build position with the second three-dimensional object still supported by the build platform; and
continuing production of the second three-dimensional object by moving the deposition mechanism through the build area along the track while the build platform is in the build position, and applying the flowable resin to the application site within the build area, using the applicator, to produce the second three-dimensional object on the build platform in a layer-by-layer technique as the carriage passes through the build area.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the track has a first open end and a second open end, the method further comprising:
controlling, using one or more computer devices, the deposition mechanism to engage with the track by passing through the first open end of the track;
controlling, using the one or more computer devices, the deposition mechanism engaged with the track to move the deposition mechanism through the build area along the track, and to apply the flowable resin to the application site within the build area, using the applicator, to produce the first and second three-dimensional objects; and
controlling, using the one or more computer devices, the deposition mechanism to disengage from the track by passing through the second open end of the track.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising controlling, using the one or more computer devices, the deposition mechanism to perform an additional operation separate from the track before engaging with the track.
4 . A method comprising:
providing an apparatus comprising:
a support assembly comprising a build platform defining a build area;
a track extending through the build area; and
a deposition mechanism mounted on the track, the deposition mechanism comprising a carriage configured for movement along the track through the build area, a supply of a flowable resin mounted on the carriage, an applicator in communication with the supply of the flowable resin and configured for application of the flowable resin, and an exposure device mounted on the carriage and configured for emitting electromagnetic waves,
wherein the build platform is moveable between a build position and a tending position, wherein the build platform faces toward the track in the build position, and wherein the build platform faces away from the track in the tending position;
moving the deposition mechanism through the build area along the track while the build platform is in the build position, and applying the flowable resin to an application site within the build area, using the applicator, to produce a three-dimensional object on the build platform in a layer-by-layer technique as the carriage passes through the build area;
selectively activating the exposure device to emit the electromagnetic waves toward an exposure site within the build area to solidify applied resin applied by the applicator to produce the three-dimensional object;
moving the build platform from the build position to the tending position;
modifying the three-dimensional object while the build platform is in the tending position;
returning the build platform to the build position with the three-dimensional object still supported by the build platform; and
continuing production of the three-dimensional object by moving the deposition mechanism through the build area along the track while the build platform is in the build position, and applying the flowable resin to the application site within the build area, using the applicator, to produce the three-dimensional object on the build platform in a layer-by-layer technique as the carriage passes through the build area.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the track has a first open end and a second open end, the method further comprising:
controlling, using one or more computer devices, the deposition mechanism to engage with the track by passing through the first open end of the track;
controlling, using the one or more computer devices, the deposition mechanism engaged with the track to move the deposition mechanism through the build area along the track, and to apply the flowable resin to the application site within the build area, using the applicator, to produce the three-dimensional object; and
controlling, using the one or more computer devices, the deposition mechanism to disengage from the track by passing through the second open end of the track.
6 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising controlling, using one or more computer devices, the deposition mechanism to perform an additional operation separate from the track before engaging with the track.
7 . The method of claim 4 , wherein modifying the three-dimensional object comprises removing material from the three-dimensional object.
8 . The method of claim 4 , wherein modifying the three-dimensional object comprises attaching a separately-manufactured component to the three-dimensional object.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the separately-manufactured component is an RFID chip.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the separately-manufactured component is a printed circuit board.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the separately-manufactured component is a structural support insert.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the separately-manufactured component is an electronic component.