IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,073,442
Granted Patent B2
US 7,073,442 · App. 10/189,166 · Granted Jul 11, 2006

Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,073,442
App. No.
10/189,166
Granted
Jul 11, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

Apparatus, systems and methods for use in three-dimensional printing are shown and described. Various embodiments of the invention allow for more precise and controlled delivery of heat to achieve interlayer drying; isolation of the working region from the outside for reasons of cleanliness and in connection with the vapors of organic solvents; better control of the temperature of the working region; better accuracy in the flowrates of binder fluid dispensed; matching of delivered flowrates for multiple dispensers; verification of delivered flowrate or drops; provision for easier changeover of the machine from one powder to another; cleanability; and other needs.

Claims (59)

1. A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:

an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;

a ventilation system configured to introduce into the enclosure a gas whose composition is different from the composition of air, further comprising a sensor for measuring the concentration of selected organic solvent vapors within the enclosure; and

means for generating a warning based on a measured concentration of the selected organic solvent vapor.

2. A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:

an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;

a ventilation system configured to introduce into the enclosure a gas whose composition is different from the composition of air, further comprising a sensor for measuring the concentration of selected organic solvent vapors within the enclosure; and

means for adjusting the operation of the three-dimensional printing machine in response to a measured concentration of the selected organic solvent vapor.

3. A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:

an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment; and

a ventilation system configured to introduce into the enclosure a gas whose composition is different from the composition of air, further comprising a sensor for measuring the concentration of selected organic solvent vapors within the enclosure, wherein the gas flows at a rate sufficient to maintain the concentration of a selected organic solvent vapor below a flammable limit or an explosive limit.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the ventilation system is configured to introduce an inert gas or a gas having an oxygen content lower than the oxygen content of air suitably to substantially reduce a danger of fire or explosion due to organic solvent vapor.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the selected organic solvent comprises at least one of ethanol, other alcohols, acetone and chloroform.

6. A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:

an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;

a ventilation system;

means for adjusting the ventilation system based on a concentration of a vapor of a selected organic solvent, wherein the means for adjusting comprises a sensor suitable to measure the concentration of the selected organic solvent vapor within the enclosure; and

means for generating a warning based on the measured concentration of the selected organic solvent vapor.

7. A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:

an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;

a ventilation system;

means for adjusting the ventilation system based on a concentration of a vapor of a selected organic solvent; and

means for adjusting operation of the three-dimensional printing machine in response to the concentration of the selected organic solvent vapor.

8. A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:

an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;

a ventilation system; and

means for adjusting the ventilation system based on a concentration of a vapor of a selected organic solvent,

wherein the ventilation system causes flow of gas at a rate sufficient to maintain the concentration of the selected organic solvent vapor below a flammable limit or an explosive limit.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising an adsorber configured to remove the organic solvent vapors or other undesirable substances from the gas.

10. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a condenser configured to condense the organic solvent vapors.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the selected organic solvent vapor comprises a vapor of at least one of ethanol, other alcohols, acetone and chloroform.

12. A system for isolating a three-dimensional printing machine, the system comprising:

an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment; and

means for causing shutdown of at least a portion of the three-dimensional printing machine based on a measured concentration of a vapor of a selected organic solvent.

13. A three-dimensional printing system, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional printing machine which dispenses a liquid comprising an organic solvent;

an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;

a sensor suitable for measuring the concentration of a vapor of an organic solvent within the enclosure; and

means for adjusting the operation of the three-dimensional printing machine based on the measured concentration of the vapor of the organic solvent.

14. A three-dimensional printing system, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional printing machine which dispenses a liquid comprising an organic solvent;

an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;

a sensor suitable for measuring the concentration of a vapor of an organic solvent within the enclosure; and

means for causing a shutdown of at least some portion of the three-dimensional printing machine based on the measured concentration of the vapor of the organic solvent.

15. A three-dimensional printing system, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional printing machine which dispenses a liquid comprising an organic solvent;

an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;

a sensor suitable for measuring the concentration of a vapor of an organic solvent within the enclosure; and

means for creating a warning based on the measured concentration of the vapor of the organic solvent.

16. A three-dimensional printing system, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional printing machine which dispenses a liquid comprising an organic solvent;

an enclosure configured to extend substantially about the three-dimensional printing machine, separating the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment; and

means for causing shutdown of at least a portion of the three-dimensional printing machine based on a measured concentration of a vapor of a selected organic solvent.

17. A method for ventilating a three-dimensional printing machine, comprising:

receiving gas from an enclosure configured to extend substantially about a three-dimensional printing machine, so as to separate the three-dimensional printing machine and its immediate surroundings from an exterior environment;

removing an organic solvent vapor from the gas;

returning at least a portion of the received gas back into the enclosure;

measuring the concentration of the organic solvent vapor within the enclosure; and

causing at least a portion of the three-dimensional printing machine to shut down based on the measured concentration of the organic solvent vapor.