Nozzles and systems for three-dimensional ink printing

Abstract

A nozzle (5) for a three-dimensional 3D ink printer is described, wherein the nozzle comprises: a channel (15) and an output portion, the channel being configured to direct ink through the nozzle (5), the output portion being coupled to the channel (15), wherein the output portion is configured to output ink, wherein the output portion includes an elongate output channel (57), the elongate output channel being configured to output ink simultaneously at different positions along the length of the elongate output channel (57).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a nozzle for a three-dimensional (3D) ink printer, a system including the nozzle, and a 3D ink printer including the nozzle or the system. The nozzle includes a channel configured to direct ink through the nozzle and an output portion coupled to the channel, wherein the output portion is configured to output the ink. Background Art

[0002] In India, there is an ancient culture of clay containers that are used for drinking tea. These clay containers are handmade and highly profitable to sell, making it a lucrative business despite the low retail price for the end consumer. For example, the process involves people making the containers by hand with clay by the river, and then the containers are dried and semi-fired at a temperature below the phase change to form sintered ceramics, thus making pottery. These containers are either sold directly or distributed using the railway system. This decentralized manufacturing method provides an excellent user experience (better than polymer or paper-based containers), while being low-cost and sustainable throughout.

[0003] Traditional ceramic manufacturing methods have limitations in, for example, wall thickness (ceramic containers with a wall thickness below 4 mm cannot be manufactured automatically on a large scale). One reason is that ceramic containers cannot maintain their shape during the drying process, and thus circular objects may become oval. Another reason is the handling of pre-sintering of the dried objects. The objects are transferred to the sintering furnace by pick-and-place robots or manually, which results in breakage of the very fragile pre-sintered thin-walled pottery objects and thus a high scrap rate.

[0004] Traditional ceramic production processes (i.e., pressing and turning) generate waste / scrap / leftover materials. Even if a certain amount of leftover materials can be reused when mixed into the raw materials, this can lead to defects in the materials and limit their performance and / or appearance, such as visible color spots on the surface. Another disadvantage is that the energy consumption of the process is far from optimized. In addition, most processes require heavy and expensive machines, which hinders the ability to manufacture these objects in a timely manner when in use.

[0005] Additive solutions for pottery-like materials include selective laser sintering (SLS) of powder (technical) ceramics, binder jetting of powder ceramics, and fused filament fabrication (FFF) or fused deposition modeling (FDM) techniques, which are combined with extrusion systems and pinhole pottery nozzles. Disadvantages of these techniques include build times that can take several hours or even days. These methods (especially powder techniques) allow for a large amount of detail and almost unlimited design freedom. However, due to time constraints and expensive and bulky machinery requirements, these methods are not always suitable. Additionally, the layers produced by the FFF process have a very small surface contact area in the Z-axis, resulting in a lower mechanical stability of the printed product than that offered by the raw material. Another disadvantage of the FFF process is that these layers are produced by extruding the material from a round noodle-like shape. This limits the Z-axis build height of each layer, as the Z-axis build height can only be increased while increasing the wall thickness.

[0006] Accordingly, for specific use cases, there is a need to improve 3D ink printing. In particular, there is a need to produce disposable containers / objects in a timely manner, preferably at a minimum manufacturing cost at the time of use. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The described invention can utilize traditional manufacturing processes (such as throwing, knife coating, and pressing) and combine them with additive manufacturing methods of the prior art to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. The examples outlined herein can achieve a customized, decentralized, low-cost, low-time production cycle, and relatively inexpensive production process that is easy to implement and scale up, while being able to flexibly use a wide range of ink materials (regarding, for example, particle size, chemical composition, and rheological properties).

[0008] According to a first aspect, a nozzle for a three-dimensional (3D) ink printer is described. The nozzle includes a channel configured to direct ink through the nozzle and an output portion coupled to the channel, wherein the output portion is configured to output the ink. The output portion includes an elongate output channel configured to output the ink simultaneously at different positions along the length of the elongate output channel. In some examples, the nozzle and any components coupled thereto may include rigid and / or flexible materials and any combination of these materials. In some examples, such materials may include polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE, and / or polymers, and / or non-metallic materials, and / or metallic materials.

[0009] The above-described channel can be made of any suitable material (such as plastic) that allows the ink to flow freely through the channel with a minimum possibility of clogging.

[0010] The output portion preferably includes a rigid material (such as plastic), but the output portion can include any suitable material that allows the ink to be output in a substantially frictionless manner. The elongated output channel can be configured to output the ink simultaneously at multiple discrete points along the length of the elongated output channel or simultaneously along the entire length of the elongated output channel.

[0011] In some examples, the configuration of the elongated output channel to output the ink simultaneously at different positions along the length of the elongated output channel is based on the ink being guided through the output portion and / or the output channel. This can enable the ink to be output in a free-flowing manner and enable the ink to be output in an accurate manner.

[0012] In some examples, the nozzle further includes an input portion configured to receive the ink. The input portion can have any suitable design, such as a conduit, which allows the ink to be input into the nozzle in a relatively frictionless manner and in a manner that can reduce the possibility of clogging within the input portion and / or the nozzle. The input portion can include plastic, polymer, or any other suitable material.

[0013] In some examples, the channel configured to guide the ink through the nozzle is configured to couple the input portion to the output portion for guiding the ink from the input portion to the output portion. This can enable the ink to flow freely through the nozzle from the input portion to the output portion.

[0014] In some examples, the nozzle further includes an anchoring portion configured to anchor the nozzle to the 3D ink printer. This can enable the nozzle to be fixed during the operation of the nozzle, resulting in, for example, a safer manufacturing method. The anchoring portion can include threads for screws or bolts and / or pins and / or magnets for magnetic coupling and / or hinges and / or any other elements suitable for anchoring the nozzle to the 3D ink printer.

[0015] In some examples, the anchoring portion includes at least one section of the elongated output channel. This can enable faster object manufacturing, thereby increasing the output capacity. This can also enable improved ink output accuracy because the ink can be output to the desired locations during the manufacturing process.

[0016] In some examples, the nozzle is formed by two leg portions connected to each other, wherein the two leg portions form an angle between about 90 degrees and about 120 degrees therebetween, wherein the length of the elongate output channel includes at least a first leg portion of a first leg among the legs and at least a second leg portion of a second leg among the legs, and wherein the first leg portion and the second leg portion are connected to each other such that the elongate output channel is continuous along the length. This may be particularly preferred for symmetric objects (such as cups) that can be printed with the ink output from the nozzle. The angle can be adjusted according to the object to be printed.

[0017] In some examples, the nozzle further includes an anti-spill portion configured to prevent the ink from spilling out of the nozzle. This can reduce waste and thereby lower the manufacturing cost.

[0018] In some examples, the anti-spill portion includes an elongate element that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate output channel. This can reduce waste and thereby lower the manufacturing cost.

[0019] In some examples, the nozzle further includes a first lip and a second lip, wherein the elongate output channel is formed between the first lip and the second lip. This can achieve precise ink output, thereby improving the accuracy of the object to be printed and / or reducing ink waste, resulting in a reduction in manufacturing cost. The lips preferably include a rigid material (such as plastic or polymer), but may also include any suitable material that enables the ink to be output between the lips in a substantially frictionless manner and reduces the likelihood of clogging of the output channel.

[0020] In some examples, the first lip and the second lip respectively include an elongate first lip and an elongate second lip, and wherein the elongate output channel is defined by the elongate first lip and the elongate second lip. This can enable the ink to be output in a precise manner, resulting in a more precise and improved printed product and / or reduced ink waste.

[0021] In some examples, the first lip is configured to seal the gap between the nozzle and the mold, and the nozzle is configured to output the ink onto the mold. This can enable reduction of ink waste because when the ink is output through the elongate output channel, the ink is spread on the surface of the mold.

[0022] In some examples, the second lip is configured to be movable relative to the first lip to control the characteristics of the ink output based on the distance between the second lip and the first lip. The second lip may be moved by, for example, a hinge or any other element that enables the second lip to move relative to the first lip. The movement of the second lip may be driven by a motor, which may be part of the nozzle or external to the nozzle, or alternatively, the second lip may be moved by the pressure of the ink output from the elongated output channel. The controlled characteristics may be, for example, the output pressure of the ink, the output speed of the ink, the size and thickness of the ink output onto the mold, the viscosity of the ink, any other suitable characteristic, or any combination thereof. Changing any of these characteristics can result in improved products and / or increased object output rates and / or reduced ink waste and / or a lower likelihood of clogging of the elongated output channel.

[0023] In some examples, when the first lip and the second lip are in contact in the absence of ink being directed through the nozzle, based on the second lip being configured to be movable relative to the first lip, the pressure that can be exerted by the second lip on the first lip is variable, where the controllable characteristics include the thickness of the object that can be printed by the ink through the nozzle, and where, during the process of directing the ink through the nozzle, the thickness is controllable by pressure. The pressure that can be exerted can be changed by a variable biasing force that biases the second lip to contact the first lip. This pressure that can be exerted can then be overcome by the force of the ink output from the elongated output channel. This can result in improved products and / or increased object output rates and / or reduced ink waste and / or a lower likelihood of clogging of the elongated output channel.

[0024] In some examples, the first lip and / or the second lip includes a helical portion configured to assist in the output of ink from the elongated output channel. Additionally or alternatively, the nozzle may include a helical portion. Using a helix in the first lip and / or the second lip and / or the nozzle can improve the flow of ink in the Z-axis direction (i.e., along the length of the elongated channel). This can also enable the elongated output channel and / or the nozzle to act as a variant of a drill screw.

[0025] In some examples, the input portion includes a plurality of input channels for directing different ink materials through the nozzle. This can enable inks and / or materials with different characteristics to be input into the nozzle simultaneously. This can improve the customization of the output product.

[0026] In some examples, the output portion includes a plurality of elongated output channels. This can enable inks and / or materials with different properties to be output from the nozzle simultaneously. This can improve the customization of the output product.

[0027] In some examples, one of the plurality of elongated output channels is coupled to a corresponding input channel of the plurality of input channels. This can enable inks and / or materials with different properties to be output from the nozzle simultaneously. This can improve the customization of the output product.

[0028] According to a second aspect, a system including a nozzle and a mold is described, wherein the nozzle is configured to output ink onto the mold.

[0029] In some examples, the anchoring portion of the nozzle is configured to be coupled to an anchoring point in the mold. The anchoring portion of the nozzle can be the same as the above-mentioned anchoring portion. In some examples, the anchoring point in the mold has an element for receiving the anchoring portion of the nozzle. For example, if the anchoring portion of the nozzle includes a magnet with a first polarity, the anchoring point of the mold will include a magnet with a second polarity, thereby achieving a firm connection between the nozzle and the mold.

[0030] In some examples, the anchoring portion of the nozzle is configured to output ink to the bottom portion of the mold to print the bottom portion of an object formed by the ink. This can enable faster manufacturing of the object, thereby improving the output capacity. This can also enable improved ink output accuracy, as the ink can be output to the desired location during the manufacturing process.

[0031] In some examples, the first lip is configured to seal the gap between the nozzle and the mold, and wherein the second lip is disposed between the output channel and the mold. This can enable reduction of ink waste, as when the ink is output through the elongated output channel, the ink is spread on the surface of the mold. This also enables the size of the elongated output channel to be changed according to the characteristics of the object to be printed.

[0032] In some examples, the anti-spill portion of the nozzle is configured to contact a portion of the mold, and wherein the anti-spill portion is configured to prevent the ink from spilling out of the mold. This can reduce ink and material waste, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0033] In some examples, the nozzle is configured to stop outputting ink when the gap between the nozzle and the mold has been filled with the output ink. The nozzle can sense this through a sensor in the nozzle, which senses when ink is no longer being output and / or when the pressure in the channel exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0034] In some examples, the mold is configured to move about at least one axis of the mold, wherein the nozzle is configured to be substantially stationary, and wherein the movement of the mold is configured to enable printing of an object having the shape of the mold via the nozzle. Moving the mold instead of the nozzle can enable a particularly fast manufacturing method. And this can in turn increase the object output rate. The mold can be coupled to and moved by a motor, which can be a stepper motor.

[0035] In some examples, the nozzle further includes a rotatable element configured to contact the surface of the mold during printing of the ink and stabilize the nozzle relative to the mold. This can stabilize the nozzle, thereby improving the accuracy of ink output. This may result in an improved final product.

[0036] In some examples, the mold is a female mold. This can form a reusable mold, thereby reducing manufacturing costs; and a mold that enables faster manufacturing times when combined with a nozzle, thereby increasing the output rate of the system.

[0037] In some examples, the mold includes a porous material configured to assist in drying the ink after printing of the ink. This can reduce the manufacturing time of the object, thereby increasing the output rate of the system.

[0038] In some examples, the porous material of at least a first portion of the mold includes a first porosity, and wherein the porous material of at least a second portion of the mold includes a second porosity, wherein the first porosity is different from the second porosity. This can reduce the manufacturing time of the object (based on the use of the object, according to specific portions of the object that require a lower or higher porosity than other portions), thereby increasing the output rate of the system.

[0039] In some examples, the porosity between the first portion and the second portion of the mold gradually changes. This can reduce the manufacturing time of the object, thereby increasing the output rate of the system.

[0040] In some examples, at least one section of the mold includes a hydrophobic material configured to prevent the ink from adhering to the mold. This can result in an improved final product, as the ink is no longer output to areas where it is not needed, thereby reducing manufacturing defects. This can also reduce ink waste and thus lower manufacturing costs.

[0041] In some examples, the system further includes a moving component coupled to the nozzle and configured to move the nozzle relative to the mold. In some examples, the movement of the nozzle is relative to the mold, and the moving component is configured to move the nozzle relative to the mold. The moving component can be, for example, a motor configured to raise the nozzle from the mold and / or a track having an actuator configured to move the nozzle relative to the mold. Such (relative) movement can occur during and / or after printing. Since there is a lower likelihood of the nozzle impacting the mold, this enables a more customizable final product and / or reduces manufacturing costs. This can also enable printing multiple layers of ink on the mold. This, in turn, can increase the rigidity and structural integrity of the printed object. These layers can all contain the same ink, or different layers can contain different ink compositions / materials.

[0042] In some examples, the system further includes a first motor coupled to the mold, and wherein the first motor is configured to rotate the mold during printing of the ink. The first motor can be, for example, a stepper motor. When ink is output through the nozzle, the mold can rotate, enabling the ink to be output across the surface of the mold. This can increase the output rate of the system as the object can be printed at an increased rate. This can also enable the ink to be evenly coated on the mold surface, resulting in an improved final product.

[0043] In some examples, the system further includes a RAM extruder configured to input ink into the input portion of the nozzle. This enables a predetermined amount of ink to be input into the system, reducing ink waste and manufacturing costs.

[0044] In some examples, the system further includes a second motor configured to move the mold away from the nozzle when the printing process for printing the ink is completed. In some examples, the movement of the nozzle is relative to the mold, and the second motor is configured to move the nozzle relative to the mold. The motor can be a stepper motor. The mold can be moved to a second position after printing is completed for further processing and / or for use by the user.

[0045] In some examples, the system further includes a heating unit configured to heat the mold before and / or during the printing process for printing the ink and / or after the printing process for printing the ink is completed. This can reduce the manufacturing time of the object, thereby increasing the output rate of the system. In some examples, a vacuum section is coupled to the mold, which can, in turn, help reduce the drying process time and result in a denser and thus more stable final product.

[0046] In some examples, the mold includes protrusions on a surface facing away from the nozzle. This can increase the surface area of the mold and result in a reduction in drying time. This can be achieved by a water injection unit configured to supply water to a capillary located outside the mold. This can in turn enable a reduction in the manufacturing time of the object, thereby increasing the output rate of the system. In some examples, the protrusions face the nozzle. In some examples, there are multiple protrusions facing and / or away from the nozzle.

[0047] In some examples, the system further includes a light source configured to sinter a portion of the printed ink. The light source can be a laser light source and / or a UV light source. This can enable the object to be cured after (and / or during) printing, thereby increasing the elasticity of the object. Additionally or alternatively, any other method capable of transferring energy to the printed object can be used, such as microwave or induction technology.

[0048] In some examples, the mold includes multiple segments that are at least partially separable from each other. This can enable the easy removal of the object after printing, thereby improving the manufacturing process.

[0049] In some examples, the system further includes a housing configured to accommodate the nozzle and the mold, and further includes a screen that is movable for enabling the removal of the object printed with the ink from the housing. This can enable maintaining specific environmental conditions within the housing during the printing process, thereby achieving an optimal manufacturing process. This can be maintained by keeping the outer shell in a humid atmosphere, which can prevent the ink from drying (or drying too much) during the printing process.

[0050] According to a third aspect, a 3D ink printer including the nozzle or the system as described above is described.

[0051] According to a fourth aspect, a method for printing a three-dimensional (3D) object is described. The method includes: providing a mold and a nozzle, where the nozzle includes an elongate output channel configured to simultaneously output ink at different positions along the length of the elongate output channel, and where the shape of the elongate output channel conforms to the shape of the mold; rotating the mold via a first motor; and outputting the ink onto a first portion of the mold through an output portion of the nozzle, where the output portion of the nozzle includes at least one section of the elongate output channel. The nozzle supplies ink to the elongate output channel, and in some examples, the elongate output channel in turn supplies ink to the surface of the mold. The elongate output channel can enable the ink to be output in a free-flowing manner and in an accurate manner. By outputting the ink from the elongate output channel, the ink is simultaneously output to different positions. In some examples, even though there may be only one output point (i.e., the output portion of the nozzle), the ink is simultaneously output from the channel at multiple points. In some examples, there are multiple points where the ink is output, i.e., not only at the output portion of the nozzle, but also at additional positions on the first leg and / or the second leg of the nozzle. The rotation of the mold enables the ink to be deposited on the mold in a uniform manner. In some examples, the ink is output through the output portion of the nozzle only when the mold is rotating. In some examples, the ink is first output through the nozzle and then the mold is rotated. In some examples, the ink is output through the output portion of the nozzle before and during the rotation of the mold. In some examples, the mold is first rotated and then the ink is output through the output portion of the nozzle.

[0052] In some examples, when the ink is output onto the first portion of the mold, the ink is output from the output portion of the nozzle in a radial direction towards the sidewall of the mold. If the first portion is the base of the mold, this can enable the 3D object to be built from the base of the object. This can achieve an improved structural integrity of the finished object, as the object has a firmly printed base to give the walls of the object a higher structural integrity.

[0053] In some examples, the rate at which ink is output from the nozzle is variable, and wherein the rate corresponds to at least one of the following: the rheological properties of the ink; and the rotational speed of the mold. Depending on the desired properties of the finished object, the rheological properties of the ink can cause the base and / or sidewalls of the object to be thicker or thinner. The same principle applies to the rotational speed of the mold, since a higher rotational speed results in thinner bases / sidewalls of the finished product. Additionally, the rheological properties and rotational speed can contribute to increasing the production rate of the method, since thinner ink and faster rotational speeds can enable more objects to be produced within a given time frame. The output rate of the ink can correspond to the rheological properties of the ink and / or the rotational speed of the mold in a linear, non-linear, exponential, proportional, inverse proportional, or any other suitable manner. For example, due to the viscosity, more viscous ink may result in a higher output rate.

[0054] In some examples, the rate at which ink is output from the nozzle is variable, and wherein the rate corresponds to the dimensions of the elongated output channel defined by the elongated first and second lips of the nozzle. A larger output channel can allow more ink to be deposited onto the mold, resulting in a 3D printed object with thicker bases and / or sidewalls. This can be particularly advantageous in cases where the finished object needs to contain very hot or very cold liquids, as this can help insulate the liquid from the periphery of the object and assist the user in picking up the object when it contains such a liquid, since the temperature difference between the user's hand and the surface of the object will be reduced. Additionally or alternatively, a larger output channel can enable a higher production rate, since more ink can be deposited at once, resulting in faster printing of 3D objects and an increase in the number of objects that can be produced within a given time frame. On the other hand, a smaller output channel can allow the ink to be output onto the mold in a more precise manner, resulting in a more complex 3D object with a more intricate design. The dimensions of the elongated output channel can be defined as the volume of the channel and / or the gap between the elongated first and second lips and / or the cross-section of the elongated output channel. The output rate of the ink can correspond to the dimensions of the elongated output channel defined by the elongated first and second lips of the nozzle in a linear, non-linear, exponential, proportional, inverse proportional, or any other suitable manner. For example, if the gap between the elongated lips is wide, a higher ink output rate may be required to ensure that sufficient ink is output onto the mold.

[0055] In some examples, the method further includes inputting the ink into the input portion of the nozzle via a RAM extruder. This can allow a predetermined amount of ink to be input into the system, thereby reducing ink waste and manufacturing costs.

[0056] In some examples, the method further includes outputting the ink onto a sidewall of the mold, wherein the ink is output onto the sidewall via a boundary layer pressure, and wherein the boundary layer pressure is exerted by the ink that has already been extruded onto the newly extruded ink (i.e., typically by the ink extruded at a first time point onto the ink extruded at a second time point, the second time point being later than the first time point); and 3D printing the object by guiding the ink through the elongate output channel to output the ink onto the first portion and the sidewall of the mold. This enables a 3D object to be printed and formed. In particular, the boundary layer pressure can cause the ink to be forced through the elongate output channel and deposited in areas of the mold where ink has not yet been deposited. This can reduce the likelihood of re-deposition in areas of the mold that already have ink, which can result in double-thickness regions in the finished object, which are not desirable. Outputting the ink onto the sidewall and the base of the mold enables the 3D object to be constructed in the form desired by the user.

[0057] In some examples, at a first time point, the ink is output onto the bottom portion of the mold via an anchoring portion; at a second time point, the ink is output radially from the output portion towards the sidewall of the mold via a boundary layer pressure, wherein the boundary layer pressure is exerted by the ink that has already been extruded onto the newly extruded ink; and at a third time point, the ink is output onto the sidewall of the mold via the boundary layer pressure through the elongate output channel, wherein the second time point is after the first time point, and wherein the third time point is after the second time point. This enables the 3D printing of the object in a manner that provides a solid and stable base for constructing the sidewall thereon.

[0058] In some examples, the output portion of the nozzle includes an anchoring portion, and the anchoring portion includes at least one segment of the elongate output channel. This enables the object to be manufactured more quickly, thereby increasing the output capacity. This can also enable improved ink output accuracy, as the ink can be output to the desired locations during the manufacturing process.

[0059] In some examples, the first portion of the mold is the bottom portion of the mold. This enables the 3D object to be printed from the bottom portion upwards, such that the object is printed in a manner that gives the object a stable base and a solid structure.

[0060] Even though some of the above aspects have been described with reference to a nozzle, a system, or a 3D ink printer, these aspects can also be applied to methods for printing an object with ink, and vice versa. Description of the Drawings

[0061] These and other aspects of the present invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like components and in which:

[0062] Figure 1 A perspective view of a schematic illustration of a system for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein;

[0063] Figure 2 A side view of a schematic illustration of a system for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein;

[0064] Figure 3 A front view of a schematic illustration of a system for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein;

[0065] Figure 4a and Figure 4b A perspective view of a schematic illustration of a system for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein;

[0066] Figures 5 to 7 A perspective view of a schematic illustration of a nozzle for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein;

[0067] Figures 8a to 8c A perspective view of a schematic illustration of a method for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein;

[0068] Figure 9 A perspective view of a helical design of a lip according to some examples described herein;

[0069] Figure 10 A perspective view of a schematic illustration of a mold for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein;

[0070] Figure 11a and Figure 11b A schematic diagram of a schematic illustration of a housing according to some examples described herein; and

[0071] Figure 12 A sectional view of a schematic illustration of a housing according to some examples described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] Figure 1 A perspective view of a schematic illustration of a system for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein.

[0073] Figure 1Shows a three-dimensional (3D) ink printing device 1 suitable for 3D printing an object. Device 1 includes a cartridge 2 configured to store ink suitable for 3D printing. The ink can include any suitable compound that enables the ink to flow freely, and the freely flowing ink has a low possibility of caking and thus blocking device 1.

[0074] In this example, cartridge 2 is connected to a RAM extruder 3 at one end of cartridge 2. RAM extruder 3 is configured to input a predetermined volume of ink into device 1. RAM extruder 3 can include a memory and a processor to undertake this task. In this example, RAM extruder 3 is used, but any suitable method of inputting ink from cartridge 2 into device 1 can be used. In this example, RAM extruder 3 pushes the ink out of cartridge 2. The RAM extruder can be controlled to supply the ink precisely and can also retract the ink when needed (such as when the printing process is completed).

[0075] At the second end of cartridge 2 (opposite the end where RAM extruder 3 is connected to cartridge 2), cartridge 2 is connected to a pipe 4. Pipe 4 preferably includes plastic, but any material suitable for enabling the ink from cartridge 2 to flow through pipe 4 with minimal obstruction can be provided. In this example, the cross-section of pipe 4 is generally circular, but pipe 4 can have any suitable cross-section. In some examples, several different cartridges 2 and pipes 4 can be used simultaneously, thus enabling multi-material or gradient material printing. In some examples, the ink is in powder form and is mixed with other additives (such as water from a secondary pipe). Additionally or alternatively, other ink components in fluid form (such as, for example, an ink carrier, a secondary ink) or any other suitable fluid can flow out from the secondary pipe. Additionally or alternatively, solids that act similarly to fluids (such as fine powders) can flow out from the secondary pipe.

[0076] At the other end of pipe 4 different from the end connected to cartridge 2, pipe 4 is connected to a nozzle 5. Nozzle 5 will be described in more detail below. A mold 6 is placed below nozzle 5. In this example, mold 5 is a female mold, but it can be a male mold. Mold 6 will be described in more detail below.

[0077] A Y-axis stepper motor 7 is connected to mold 6, and this Y-axis stepper motor 7 is configured to rotate mold 6. Y-axis stepper motor 7 can include a processor and a memory to undertake its task.

[0078] Device 1 also includes a Z-axis stepper motor 8 and an X-axis stepper motor 9. The Z-axis stepper motor is connected to nozzle 5, and X-axis stepper motor 9 is connected to mold 6. Stepper motors 8 and 9 are respectively configured to move nozzle 5 up and down and move mold 6 away from nozzle 5.

[0079] The Z-axis stepper motor 8 and the X-axis stepper motor 9 are each connected to the rails 10, 11, 12, thereby facilitating the movement of the nozzle 5 and the mold 6. In this example, the cross-sections of the rails 10, 11, 12 are generally cross-shaped, but they can have any suitable cross-section. The X-axis stepper motor 9 is coupled to the first rail 10 and the second rail 11 to move the mold 6 from under the nozzle after the printing process is completed, and the Z-axis stepper motor is connected to the third rail 12 to assist in promoting the movement of the nozzle 5 away from the mold 6 after the printing process is completed. The Z-axis stepper motor 8 and the X-axis stepper motor 9 can include a memory and a processor configured to actuate the motors 8, 9. In Figure 1 the example, there are two first rails 10 and one second rail 11, and the X-axis stepper motor 9 is coupled to the two first rails 10 and the one second rail 11. This is particularly advantageous for the stability of the device 1 during the printing process and the stability of the nozzle 5 and the mold 6. In some examples, the number of the first rails 10 and the second rails 11 can vary according to the printing process assigned to the device 1.

[0080] The nozzle 5 further includes an input portion and a channel 15. The input portion is configured to receive ink from the conduit 4, and the channel 15 is coupled to the input portion 14. The channel 15 is configured to direct the ink through the nozzle 5. In some examples, the diameter of the channel 15 is less than or equal to the diameter of the conduit 4. This can result in a stable ink flow to the nozzle 5. In some examples, there are multiple conduits 4 and multiple channels 15. This can enable different inks and / or materials to be injected at different time points during the printing process and / or at different heights relative to the Z-axis of the nozzle 5.

[0081] In some examples, the X-axis stepper motor 9 is configured to control additional actuators and / or sensors and / or surface mounted devices (SMDs) and / or firmware to drive the mechanical and / or electronic devices of the device 1.

[0082] Ink has been described above. However, additionally or alternatively, any suitable material for 3D printing can be used, such as metal or plastic. Further, stepper motors have been described, but any suitable method for moving the nozzle 5 and the mold 6 can be used.

[0083] Figure 2 A side view of a schematic illustration of a system for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein is shown. Figure 3 A front view of a schematic illustration of a system for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein is shown.

[0084] Figure 2 and Figure 3Side and front views of a schematic illustration of the apparatus 1 are shown respectively. As can be further seen in these figures, in this example, the mold 6 includes a plurality of segments 61, 62. These segments 61, 62 are coupled to the anchor plate 63 of the mold 6. The segments 61, 62 are coupled to the anchor plate 63 by hinges that enable the segments 61, 62 to open and facilitate the retrieval process of the printed object. In this example, the segments 61, 62 open as a whole, but in some examples, only a part of the segments 61, 62 opens, such as, for example, the upper half of the segments 61, 62. The anchor plate 63 may be in the form of a disc, as Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, or alternatively, the anchor plate may be a cylinder, a cuboid or any other suitable shape.

[0085] Figure 4a and Figure 4b A perspective view of a schematic illustration of a system for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein is shown.

[0086] In Figure 4a the example, an additional track 13 is shown. The additional track 13 is coupled to the nozzle 5 and the third track 12 and is configured to move the nozzle 5 in a direction perpendicular to the third track 12. The movement of the nozzle 5 in this vertical direction can be driven by a stepper motor similar to the stepper motors described above. It can also be seen that the movement of the mold 6 and the nozzle 5 achieved by the stepper motors 7, 8, 9 is assisted by a series of sliders 16, 17. These sliders are coupled to the tracks 11, 12 and enable a substantially frictionless movement of the nozzle 5 and the mold 6.

[0087] Figure 4a The portion highlighted with a circle "A" in Figure 4b can be seen in

[0088] Figures 5 to 7 A perspective view of a schematic illustration of a nozzle for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein is shown.

[0089] The nozzle 5 includes an anti-overflow portion 51, a first leg 53, a second leg 54, an anchoring portion 55, a hinge 56, and an output channel 57 as described above.

[0090] The first leg 53 includes a preferably rigid material (such as plastic) to maintain the rigidity of the nozzle 5 during the printing process. The anti-overflow portion 51 is coupled to a first end of the first leg 53. The second leg 54 is coupled to a second end of the first leg 53 opposite to the first end. In some examples, the length of the second leg 54 is shorter than that of the first leg 53. In some examples, the length of the second leg 54 is the same as that of the first leg 53 or the length of the second leg is longer than that of the first leg. The second leg 54 is constructed in substantially the same manner as the first leg 53. The legs in this example are generally cuboid, but they can be cylindrical, prismatic, or of a custom design.

[0091] In this example, the second leg 54 is coupled to the anchoring portion 55. In this example, the anchoring portion includes threads 55a for a screw or bolt, but the anchoring portion 55 can include any suitable elements (such as pins and / or hinges) for anchoring the nozzle 5 to an external device (such as the device 1 described above). The anchoring portion 55 can have any suitable design, such as Figure 5 the design shown, cylindrical, cuboid, prismatic, or of a custom design.

[0092] The hinge 56 for coupling the first leg 53 and the second leg 54 to each other is located between the first leg 53 and the second leg 54. During the operation of the nozzle 5, the legs are preferably held at a predetermined angle relative to each other. In some examples, the angle is between about 90 degrees (i.e., perpendicular to each other) and about 120 degrees. In some examples, the angle corresponds to the angle between the base and the side of the mold 6 so as to enable precise printing of an object. The angle of the hinge 56 can be kept constant throughout the life of the nozzle 5. That is, the angle can be permanently 90 degrees, and to change the angle, it may be necessary to replace the nozzle 5. In some examples, the angle can be changed manually (i.e., by hand) according to the characteristics of the mold 6. In some examples, the nozzle 5 includes a motor, a processor, and a memory, which are configured to automatically change the angle based on the characteristics of the mold 6.

[0093] In Figure 5 it can be seen that the first leg 53 includes an elongated output channel 57. The elongated output channel 57 will be described in more detail below.

[0094] Figure 6A perspective view showing a schematic illustration of the nozzle 5 is presented. It can be seen that in this example, the elongated output channel 57 extends along the lower sides of the second leg 54 and the anchoring portion 55. In this example, the elongated output channel 57 is continuous along the lengths of the first leg 53, the second leg 54, and the anchoring portion 55. This enables the simultaneous printing of the bottom of the object and the walls of the object. In some examples, the elongated output channel 57 is discontinuous. In some examples, one or more of the first leg 53, the second leg 54, and the anchoring portion 55 do not include the elongated output channel 57.

[0095] The nozzle 5 further includes a rotatable element 58 that is configured to contact the surface of the mold 6 during the printing process to stabilize the nozzle 5 relative to the mold 6. The rotatable element 58 can be a spring-loaded wheel-like member that stabilizes the upper edge of the nozzle and helps maintain strict tolerance allowances for uniform wall thickness.

[0096] Figure 7 A top view showing a schematic illustration of the nozzle 5 is presented. The elongated output channel 57 is formed by two lips 59a, 59b. The lips 59a, 59b are preferably elongated such that the lips 59a, 59b extend along the entire length of the elongated output channel 57. The channel 15 configured to direct the ink through the nozzle 5 directs the ink into the elongated output channel 57 formed by the lips 59a, 59b. In this example, the ink is injected into the nozzle 5 by the pressure generated by the RAM extruder 3.

[0097] The first lip 59a seals the gap between the nozzle 5 and the mold 6. This can reduce ink waste and improve the final product. The second lip 59b is configured to bias towards the first lip 59a and controls the dimensional thickness of a portion of the output object by controlling the output pressure of the ink from the elongated output channel 57. In this example, the second lip 59b is configured to be movable relative to the first lip 59a. This movement can be achieved by the pressure of the output ink (as described above), and / or by manual adjustment of the distance between the lips 59a, 59b, and / or by automatic adjustment of the distance between the lips 59a, 59b. In this example, the distance between the lips 59a, 59b controls the dimensional thickness of the output product. However, in some examples, additionally or alternatively, this distance can determine the output pressure of the ink and / or the output speed of the ink and / or the viscosity of the ink and / or any other suitable characteristic. The lips 59a, 59b preferably include a flexible material, but can include any suitable material.

[0098] In some examples, the elongated output channel 57 and the lips 59a, 59b can include a spiral design (see Figure 9), to further support the material flow in the positive Z-axis direction and "flush" the ink / support the ink flow in the positive Z-axis direction. By variably controlling the distance between the lips 59a, 59b along the length of the elongated output channel 57, the ink flow can be further controlled. That is, the distance between the lips 59a, 59b can be 1 mm, for example, at a section of the elongated output channel, and can be 0.5 mm at a second section of the elongated output channel 57; as will be understood, these are merely examples of the distance between the lips. This can enable the control of specific design features, such as relief or engraved details in the mold 6, which may require different amounts of ink to be output to different sections of the mold 6.

[0099] In this example, another method of controlling the wall thickness of the finished product is to raise the nozzle 5 by the Z-axis stepper motor 8 during the printing process. In addition, the nozzle 5 can output ink to a part of the mold 6 multiple times to produce multi-layer, multi-material objects. In this example, when building the resulting object from the bottom of the mold 6, the printing process can be stopped or the extrusion can be restricted to a specific Z-axis height by, for example, changing the distance between the lips 59a, 59b, which in turn can produce different container sizes without having to consider different mold sizes. In some examples, after the printing process is completed, the ink flow is stopped or even recycled. The ink flow can be stopped by instructing the RAM extruder 3 that the printing process has been completed. Subsequently, the RAM extruder 3 can stop applying pressure to the ink cartridge 2 or even apply a negative pressure to the ink cartridge 3 to recover the ink from the elongated output channel 57. This can reduce the remaining material compared to known printing methods.

[0100] The nozzle 5 is preferably made of a rigid material (such as plastic) to improve the resilience of the nozzle 5 during the printing process, but the nozzle 5 can alternatively include any suitable material that enables the nozzle 5 to function.

[0101] Figures 8a to 8c A perspective view showing a schematic illustration of a method for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein is shown. These figures show cross-sections of the nozzle and the mold, in which the elongated output channel 57 is shown, but the lips 59a, 59b are not shown for illustrative purposes.

[0102] In some examples, when the mold 6 rotates, the RAM extruder 3 inputs a predetermined volume of ink 80 into the nozzle 5 (here, the bottom of the nozzle), where the predetermined volume is the volume required to print part or all of the object. The ink 80 flows from the ink cartridge 2 into the nozzle 5 via the pipe 4 (see, for example Figure 1). In some examples, the mold 6 is stationary and the nozzle 5 rotates. In some examples, both the mold 6 and the nozzle 5 rotate. In some examples, the mold 6 rotates while the nozzle 5 is stationary. In some examples, the RAM extruder 3 inputs the ink 80 into the nozzle at a predetermined rate. The nozzle 5 starts filling on the side of the mold 6 opposite the bottom side of the nozzle 5. That is, in this example, the side of the nozzle 5 is substantially parallel to the bottom of the mold 6 and opposite to the bottom of the mold 6. In some examples, the side of the nozzle 5 can be substantially parallel to any suitable surface and opposite to that any suitable surface. In this example, the bottom of the mold 6 includes a plane substantially parallel to the ground, i.e., a horizontal plane. Once the channel 57 radially aligned with the second leg 54 is filled, the nozzle 5 starts depositing the ink 80 onto the mold 6 in the radial direction corresponding to the anchoring portion 55 (i.e., away from the center of the mold 6 and towards the side wall of the mold 6 on the bottom surface of the mold 6). In some examples, it is not necessary to fill the channel 57, and when the channel 57 is only partially filled, the ink 80 is output onto the mold 6. Additionally, the ink 80 can be deposited towards / deposited in the first leg 53. The nozzle 5 first deposits the ink onto the bottom of the mold 6 through a hole substantially parallel to the mold (i.e., the elongated output channel 57 radially aligned with the second leg 54) (see Figure 8a). The ink 80 is deposited in an area at a speed corresponding to one or more of the rheological properties of the ink, the dimensions of the elongated output channel 57 defined by the elongated first lip 59a and the second lip 59b of the nozzle 5, and the rotational speed of the mold 6. In some examples, the channel is formed by the lips 59a, 59b. This can include the same elongated output channel 57 and / or the same elongated lips 59a, 59b as described above. Generally, the dimensions of the output channel are small to help ensure a complete and uninterrupted printing of the object. In some examples, the dimensions of the output channel can be large to facilitate rapid printing and increase the number of objects produced in a given time frame. The dimensions of the output channel can be defined as the volume of the channel and / or the gap between the elongated first and second lips and / or the cross-section of the elongated output channel. In a single rotation, the ink 80 is preferably deposited at the same radial distance. That is, during rotation, the same amount of the object is printed on all / selected surfaces of the mold 6. This can be attributed to the viscosity of the ink. In some examples, during the same rotation, the ink 80 can be deposited towards the sidewall of the mold 6 and / or radially towards the first leg 53. Once the rotation is complete and a new rotation begins, the already deposited ink 80 remains at or near the ink deposition / extrusion position. The rotation of the mold 6 can be continuous or intermittent. Due to, for example, boundary layer pressure, the continuously output ink 80 exerts a force on the newly deposited ink 80, which causes the ink 80 to continue to flow along the second leg 54 through the output channel and towards the first leg 53, and during the new rotation, the newly deposited ink 80 is deposited in the radial growth direction away from the center of the mold 6 (see Figure 8b ). The ink 80 continues to be deposited in this manner until it reaches the outer edge at the bottom of the mold 6, that is, the ink 80 has been deposited on all relevant segments of the second leg 54 and on the bottom of the mold 6. At this time, due to the viscosity of the ink 80, the already deposited ink 80 exerts a force due to, for example, boundary layer pressure, and thereby, the ink 80 flows along the first leg 53 through the output channel (see Figure 8c ). That is, the ink 80 flows upward along the first leg 53 relative to the bottom of the mold 6, thereby performing 3D printing on the side of the mold 6. Thus, the object builds overlapping layers until the ink 80 reaches the upper end of the first leg 53 of the mold 6.

[0103] The printed object first grows radially along the second leg 54 relative to the bottom plane of the mold 6, and subsequently, grows along the first leg 53 relative to the sidewall of the mold 6. In these cases, this can ensure that the object is printed to conform to the curvature of the mold 6.

[0104] The method can be described as follows:

[0105] Provide a mold 6 and a nozzle 5, wherein the nozzle 5 includes an elongated output channel 57 configured to simultaneously output ink at different positions along the length of the elongated output channel 57, and wherein the shape of the elongated output channel 57 is consistent with the shape of the mold 6; rotate the mold 6 via a first motor; and output the ink onto a first portion of the mold 6 through an output portion of the nozzle, wherein the output portion of the nozzle 5 includes at least one section of the elongated output channel 57.

[0106] Figure 9 A perspective view showing a spiral design of a lip according to some examples described herein.

[0107] Figure 9 Examples of which show a single spiral design of the first lip 59a and / or the second lip 59b, which single spiral design can result in a spiral-shaped elongated output channel 57. The single spiral design can assist in the transmission of the ink through the elongated output channel 57 and thereby assist in the flow of the ink in the positive Z-axis direction of the elongated output channel 57. This can result in a reduced likelihood of clogging within the elongated output channel 57. This can also enable the elongated output channel 57 and / or the nozzle 5 to act as a variant of a drill screw. In some examples, the first lip 59a and / or the second lip 59b can include a double spiral design. In some examples, one of the first lip 59a and the second lip 59b can include a single spiral design while the other of the first lip 59a and the second lip 59b can include a double spiral design. In some examples, only one of the first lip 59a and the second lip 59b includes a spiral design.

[0108] Figure 10 A perspective view showing a schematic illustration of a mold for 3D ink printing according to some examples described herein.

[0109] In this example, the mold 6 is a female mold reflecting the outer surface of the finished product. Alternatively, the mold 6 can be a male mold. In this example, the mold 6 is in the shape of a drinking container (such as a cup). Alternatively, the mold 6 preferably has a symmetric shape forming a drinking container. Alternatively, the mold 6 can have a customized design.

[0110] In this example, the mold 6 comprises a (micro) porous material such as an engineered porous polymer and / or a partially fired ceramic and / or an engineered porous ceramic and / or an engineered porous material and / or an engineered porous polymer. Once the ink is printed on the surface of the mold 6, the porosity can contribute to the drying of the ink, thereby curing the ink. The use of polymers can result in a stronger material suitable for longer-term applications. In some examples, the mold 6 has a gradient density or a gradient of microporosity for the inner diameter and the outer diameter. That is, the porous material of at least a first part of the mold 6 comprises a first porosity, and the porous material of at least a second part of the mold 6 comprises a second porosity, wherein the first porosity is different from the second porosity. This can be particularly useful in applications where different inks and / or materials are output onto different sections of the mold 6. If different inks and / or materials are output onto different sections of the mold 6, this can enable highly customizable products. For example, if the product to be printed is a cup, the central section can comprise a material that is more heat-resistant than the other sections of the cup. This can enable the user to safely use the cup while still maintaining low manufacturing costs and a customizable design of the cup.

[0111] In this example, the mold 6 consists of a plurality of sections 61, 62 to facilitate the demolding process. Once the ink has been output onto the mold 6, the ink begins to dry. This can be supported by increasing the heat, as described in more detail below. The drying process causes the output ink to shrink, and thereby, the object begins to separate from the mold 6. The sections 61, 62 are connected to an anchor plate 63 by a plurality of ribs 65, and the plurality of ribs 65 are in turn connected to elements on the anchor plate 63 that enable the sections 61, 62 of the mold to move away from the central axis of the mold 6. The sections 61, 62 can be biased towards the center of the mold 6 via the ribs 65 and the anchor plate 63. That is, in the absence of an external pressure applied to the ribs 65 and the sections 61, 62, the sections 61, 62 are in a "closed" position that enables the printing process to begin. The sections 61, 62 can be transitioned to an "open" position by applying pressure on the ribs 65. This "open" position can enable the printed object to be easily retrieved from the device 1. In this example, the ribs 65 are shown, but alternatively, the ribs 65 can be replaced by any suitable element that connects the sections 61, 62 to the anchor plate 63.

[0112] The upper edge 64 of the mold 6 can be sealed with a hydrophobic material such as silicon or wax to prevent the ink from adhering to the mold 6 in areas where adhesion is not desired. The mold 6 can also have an increased external surface area to further accelerate the drying process by having, for example, an external structure with ribbing similar to components used for passive cooling of microchips or LEDs.

[0113] During the printing process, the mold 6 is kept rotating by the Y-axis stepper motor 7. In this example, the ink starts to be output at the center of the bottom of the mold 6 through the elongated output channel 57. The ink continuously flows upward through the elongated output channel 57 and builds overlapping layers until the ink reaches the upper end of the mold. In some examples, the ink starts to be output at a point on the wall of the mold 6, and the ink starts to flow both towards the top and the bottom of the mold simultaneously. In some examples, the ink starts to be output at the top of the wall of the mold 6 and starts to flow downward towards the bottom of the mold 6. In this example, when the desired wall thickness is reached, the gap between the nozzle 5 and the mold 6 is closed or sealed by the printed and cured ink, which prevents the nozzle 5 from outputting more ink. This process can be stopped by the sensors of the above-mentioned RAM extruder 3.

[0114] In this example, the cooperation of the nozzle 5 and the mold 6 enables the printing of rotationally symmetric objects in a short time. The combination of the nozzle 5 and the mold 6 also enables the final wall thickness to be defined.

[0115] Figure 11a and Figure 11b FIG. shows a schematic diagram of a housing according to some examples described herein.

[0116] Figure 11a and Figure 11b FIG. shows an example of a housing 20 configured to store the above-mentioned device 1. In this example, the housing 20 is L-shaped, but alternatively, the housing 20 can also have any suitable design. The housing includes a movable screen 21 configured to enable access to the printing area inside the housing 20. The movable screen 21 preferably may include a transparent material (such as plastic) to enable observation of the printing area. The enclosed enclosure provided by the combination of the housing 20 and the screen 21 can help maintain stable printing conditions and can reduce the likelihood of the ink drying before and / or during the printing process. The "wet" (i.e., high humidity (e.g., above 80%, 85% or 90%)) atmosphere provided by the combination of the housing 20 and the screen 21 can further prevent the nozzle 5 from drying between printing operations, and the drying of the nozzle 5 will cause clogging. In some examples, the housing also includes feet 22 to absorb any vibrations or movements from the external environment, thereby producing a more precise final product.

[0117] Figure 12 FIG. shows a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of a housing according to some examples described herein.

[0118] In this example, the outer housing 20 also includes a heating unit 23 and a light source 24. For ease of illustration, only the mold 6 is shown, but those skilled in the art will understand that any of the above other elements or features can be placed inside the housing 20.

[0119] Once the material is printed, the material begins to dry. This drying process can be assisted by applying heat via the heating unit 23. The drying process causes shrinkage of the material and, thereby, the object detaches from the mold 6. The heating unit 23 heats the mold 6 before and / or after (and / or during) the printing process. This helps to detach the printed object from the mold 6. The heating unit 23 can obtain heat from an electric heater, a water heater, or any other suitable heat source. The heating unit 23 can include a memory and a processor configured to turn on the heating unit 23 at a specific point in the printing process.

[0120] The light source 24 can be a laser configured to partially sinter at a low energy level to achieve a glazing effect on the surface of the printed object. This can, in turn, improve the elasticity of the printed object. The light source 24 can include a memory and a processor configured to turn on the light source 24 at a specific point in the printing process.

[0121] In addition to the heating unit 23 and the light source 24 described above, additionally or alternatively, the housing 20 can include one or more of a vacuum unit for assisting the drying process, a UV light module for assisting the heating and / or sintering process, an induction module, and a microwave module.

[0122] Without a doubt, many other effective alternatives will occur to those skilled in the art. It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications that are obvious to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A nozzle for a three-dimensional 3D ink printer, wherein, The nozzle includes: a passage configured to direct ink through the nozzle, an output portion coupled to the passage, wherein the output portion is configured to output the ink, and an anchoring portion configured to anchor the nozzle to a 3D ink printer, wherein the output portion includes an elongate output passage configured to output the ink simultaneously at different positions along the length of the elongate output passage, wherein the anchoring portion includes at least one section of the elongate output passage, and wherein the nozzle is formed by two leg portions connected to each other, wherein the two leg portions form an angle between 90 degrees and 120 degrees therebetween, wherein the length of the elongate output passage includes at least a first leg portion of a first leg among the legs and at least a second leg portion of a second leg among the legs, and wherein the first leg portion and the second leg portion are connected to each other such that the elongate output passage is continuous along the length.

2. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein, The elongate output passage being configured to output the ink simultaneously at different positions along the length thereof is based on the ink being directed through the output portion.

3. The nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising an input portion configured to receive the ink.

4. The nozzle according to claim 3, wherein, The passage configured to direct ink through the nozzle is configured to couple the input portion to the output portion for directing the ink from the input portion to the output portion.

5. The nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising an anti-spill portion configured to prevent the ink from spilling out of the nozzle.

6. The nozzle according to claim 5, wherein, The anti-spill portion includes an elongate element disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate output passage.

7. The nozzle according to claim 1 further includes a first lip and a second lip, wherein, The elongate output passage is formed between a first lip and a second lip.

8. The nozzle according to claim 7, wherein, The first lip and the second lip respectively include an elongate first lip and a second lip, and wherein the elongate output passage is defined by the elongate first lip and the second lip.

9. The nozzle according to claim 7, wherein, The first lip is configured to seal a gap between the nozzle and a mold, and the nozzle is configured to output the ink onto the mold.

10. The nozzle according to claim 7, wherein, The second lip is configured to be movable relative to the first lip to control characteristics of the output ink based on the distance between the second lip and the first lip.

11. The nozzle according to claim 10, wherein, When there is no ink being directed through the nozzle and when in contact between the first lip and the second lip, based on the second lip being configured to be movable relative to the first lip, the pressure that can be exerted by the second lip on the first lip is variable, wherein the controllable characteristic includes the thickness of an object that can be printed by the ink through the nozzle, and wherein during the process of directing ink through the nozzle, the thickness can be controlled by the pressure.

12. The nozzle according to claim 7, wherein, The first lip and / or the second lip includes a helical portion configured to assist in the output of ink from the elongate output channel.

13. The nozzle according to claim 1 further includes an input portion configured to receive the ink, wherein, The input portion includes a plurality of input channels for guiding different ink materials through the nozzle.

14. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein, The output portion includes a plurality of elongate output channels.

15. The nozzle according to claim 14 further includes an input portion configured to receive the ink, wherein, The input portion includes a plurality of input channels for guiding different ink materials through the nozzle, and one of the plurality of elongate output channels is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of input channels.

16. A system comprising: The nozzle according to claim 1; And A mold; Wherein the nozzle is configured to output ink onto the mold.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein, The nozzle includes an anchoring portion configured to anchor the nozzle to a 3D ink printer, and the anchoring portion of the nozzle is configured to be coupled to an anchoring point in the mold.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein, The anchoring portion includes at least one section of the elongate output channel, and the anchoring portion of the nozzle is configured to output ink to the bottom portion of the mold to print the bottom portion of an object formed by the ink.

19. The system according to claim 16, wherein, The nozzle includes a first lip and a second lip, wherein the elongate output channel is formed between the first lip and the second lip, wherein the first lip is configured to seal the gap between the nozzle and the mold, and wherein the second lip is disposed between the output channel and the mold.

20. The system according to claim 16, wherein The nozzle includes an anti-spill portion configured to prevent the ink from spilling out of the nozzle, wherein the anti-spill portion of the nozzle is configured to contact a portion of the mold, and wherein the anti-spill portion is configured to prevent the ink from spilling out of the mold.

21. The system according to claim 16, wherein, The nozzle is configured to stop outputting ink when the gap between the nozzle and the mold has been filled with the output ink.

22. The system according to claim 16, wherein, The mold is configured to move about at least one axis of the mold, wherein the nozzle is configured to be substantially stationary, and wherein the movement of the mold is configured to enable printing of an object having the shape of the mold via the nozzle.

23. The system according to claim 16, wherein The nozzle further includes a rotatable element configured to contact the surface of the mold during the printing of the ink and to stabilize the nozzle relative to the mold.

24. The system according to claim 16, wherein The mold is a female mold.

25. The system according to claim 16, wherein The mold includes a porous material configured to assist in drying the ink after printing of the ink.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein, The porous material of at least a first portion of the mold includes a first porosity, and the porous material of at least a second portion of the mold includes a second porosity, wherein the first porosity is different from the second porosity.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein, The porosity of the mold gradually changes between the first portion of the mold and the second portion of the mold.

28. The system according to claim 16, wherein, At least one section of the mold includes a hydrophobic material configured to prevent the ink from adhering to the mold.

29. The system according to claim 16 further includes a moving member coupled to the nozzle and configured to move the nozzle relative to the mold.

30. The system according to claim 16, wherein The system further includes a first motor coupled to the mold, and wherein the first motor is configured to rotate the mold during printing of the ink.

31. The system according to claim 16, wherein The nozzle includes an input portion for receiving the ink, and the system further includes a RAM extruder configured to input the ink into the input portion of the nozzle.

32. The system according to claim 16 further includes a second motor configured to move the mold away from the nozzle when a printing process for printing the ink is completed.

33. The system according to claim 16 further includes a heating unit configured to heat the mold before and / or during the printing process for printing the ink and / or after the printing process for printing the ink is completed.

34. The system according to claim 16, wherein, The mold includes protrusions on a surface facing away from the nozzle.

35. The system according to claim 16 further includes a light source configured to sinter a portion of the printed ink.

36. The system according to claim 16, wherein The mold includes a plurality of segments that are at least partially separable from each other.

37. The system according to claim 16 further includes a housing configured to accommodate the nozzle and the mold, and further includes a screen that is movable for removing an object printed with the ink from the housing.

38. A 3D ink printer includes the nozzle according to claim 1 or the system according to claim 16.

39. A method for printing a three-dimensional 3D object, the method comprising: providing a mold and a nozzle, wherein the nozzle includes an elongated output channel configured to simultaneously output ink at different positions along a length of the elongated output channel, and wherein a shape of the elongated output channel conforms to a shape of the mold; rotating the mold via a first motor; and outputting the ink from an output portion of the nozzle onto a first portion of the mold, wherein the output portion of the nozzle includes at least one segment of the elongated output channel.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein, When the ink is output onto the first portion of the mold, causing the ink to be output in a radial direction from the output portion of the nozzle toward a sidewall of the mold.

41. The method according to claim 39, wherein, A rate of outputting the ink from the nozzle is variable, and wherein the rate corresponds to one or both of: rheological properties of the ink; and a rotational speed of the mold.

42. The method according to claim 39, wherein A rate of outputting the ink from the nozzle is variable, and wherein the rate corresponds to dimensions of the elongated output channel defined by an elongated first lip and a second lip of the nozzle.

43. The method according to claim 39 further includes: inputting the ink into the nozzle at an input portion of the nozzle via a RAM extruder.

44. The method according to claim 39 further includes: Output the ink onto the sidewall of the mold, wherein the ink is output onto the sidewall via a boundary layer pressure, and wherein the boundary layer pressure is applied to newly extruded ink by ink that has already been extruded; and 3D print the object by guiding the ink through the elongated output channel to output the ink onto the first part and the sidewall of the mold.

45. The method according to claim 39, wherein: At a first time point, output the ink onto the bottom part of the mold via the anchoring part; At a second time point, output the ink in a radial direction from the output part towards the sidewall of the mold via the boundary layer pressure, wherein the boundary layer pressure is applied to newly extruded ink by ink that has already been extruded; and At a third time point, output the ink onto the sidewall of the mold via the boundary layer pressure through the elongated output channel, wherein the second time point is after the first time point, and wherein the third time point is after the second time point.

46. The method according to claim 39, wherein, The output part of the nozzle includes an anchoring part, and wherein the anchoring part includes at least one section of the elongated output channel.

47. The method according to claim 39, wherein The first part of the mold is the bottom part of the mold.

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