Sleeve for mounting on rotating shaft of commercial printing machine

Abstract

A sleeve (10) for mounting on a mandrel of a commercial printing machine may include different annular regions that are simultaneously integrally formed into a unitary structure without the need to form the mandrel and without the need to adhere to each other in a manufacturing step separate from the manufacturing of each annular region of the finished sleeve. A 3D printing machine and method suitable for use in one or more of the flexible packaging industry, the lithographic printing industry, the publication printing industry, the decoration printing industry, and the corrugation printing industry employ a build plate descending from a horizontal printing plane at which a 3D printing material is applied to one or more of the flexible packaging industry, the lithographic printing industry, the publication printing industry, the decoration printing industry, and the corrugation printing industry. Each of the plurality of printheads extrudes a strand cycle of thermoplastic material onto a strand cycle immediately below the sleeve.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] not applicable. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to commercial printing machines, and more particularly to commercial sleeves mounted on the rotating spindle of a commercial printing machine, or mounted on an auxiliary sleeve, which may include, for example, flexographic printing machines, gravure printing machines, and offset printing machines. Background Technology

[0003] Commercial printing involves machines capable of printing images on a variety of surfaces and serving a wide range of industries, including, for example, flexible packaging printing, offset printing, publication printing, decorative printing, and corrugated printing. Each commercial printing machine typically drives multiple rotating spindles to rotate at high speeds. Each rotating spindle may optionally be fitted with one of a plurality of sleeves, some of which are commonly referred to as printing sleeves, while others are often referred to differently as adapter sleeves, bridging sleeves, or carrier sleeves (hereinafter referred to as bridging sleeves), such as those disclosed in air-mounted bridging sleeves as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,782,181, 5,819,657, 6,688,226, and 6,691,614, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0004] Each sleeve has a structure that extends along the axis of rotation of the sleeve and defines an inner surface that defines a hollow opening extending through the sleeve along the axis of rotation of the sleeve. When mounted on a mandrel, the sleeve and mandrel rotate as a unit. The printing sleeve is mounted on the outer surface of the mandrel or the outer surface of the bridging sleeve. When the printing sleeve is mounted on the rotating mandrel of a commercial printing machine, the mandrel and printing sleeve rotate as a unit during the intended operation of the printing machine. Similarly, when the printing sleeve is mounted on a bridging sleeve, which in turn is mounted on the rotating mandrel of a commercial printing machine, the mandrel, bridging sleeve, and printing sleeve rotate as a unit.

[0005] A typical method for manufacturing the defined inner surface of the sleeve—the portion that forms the hollow interior of the sleeve when mounted onto the mandrel—involves winding a strip (made of glass fiber or other materials such as polyester) impregnated with resin (UV-cured resin or thermosetting and epoxy- or acrylic-based resin) around a forming mandrel. From the sleeve manufacturer's perspective, one problem with sleeves manufactured according to this method is the need to equip each type of printing machine with a specific forming mandrel. For each possible machine mandrel diameter, at least one forming mandrel needs to have an outer surface corresponding to its size. This requirement necessitates a large inventory of forming mandrels of the same diameter. Otherwise, having only one mandrel for each sleeve diameter limits the number of sleeves of each diameter that a manufacturing facility can produce per hour or per day.

[0006] In addition to the forming mandrels used to construct the core layer of glass fiber impregnated with resin, so-called construction mandrels are also needed to support the glass fiber core during various manufacturing processes, such as the application of an additional layer of material on top of the glass fiber core in the manufacture of multilayer sleeves. The same problems described above for forming mandrels also apply to construction mandrels. Therefore, this demand for construction mandrels significantly increases the number of mandrels required to maintain commercial production in sleeve manufacturing facilities.

[0007] Furthermore, because mandrels (whether forming or constructing) must be manufactured to tight diameter tolerances (typically + / - 0.005 mm), the production of each mandrel is extremely expensive. Therefore, obtaining these mandrels incurs significant costs for sleeve manufacturing facilities even before attempting to manufacture a single sleeve.

[0008] Furthermore, because each mandrel is made of steel, its weight can exceed 500 kg, depending on its size. Such mandrels require specific equipment, such as cranes and forklifts, to move them in and out of the manufacturing facility's storage room between usage intervals when they are used to manufacture sleeves. The mandrels are also susceptible to damage due to wear and tear during use and routine handling between usage intervals. Such mandrels also pose a risk of accidental injury to personnel responsible for handling and using them.

[0009] Another problem with using forming mandrels is that the resin-impregnated tape is difficult to handle before it can be continuously wound around a horizontally positioned forming mandrel. The tape tension must be precisely controlled while winding it onto the mandrel. If the tape is not set precisely, the resulting sleeve will be too loose or too tight when fitted onto the mandrel of a commercial printing machine, thus becoming useless waste and resulting in significant economic losses.

[0010] From the user's perspective, there is a problem with the disposal of used sleeves because they are made of different thermosetting materials in different layers, and users cannot recycle them at the end of their service life. Therefore, the disposal of used sleeves causes environmental problems, as does the disposal of improperly formed sleeves that become waste.

[0011] For example, in flexographic printing, a typical printing plate is mounted on the outer surface of a printing sleeve or bridging sleeve. During operation of the printing machine, each spindle, rotating at very high speeds per minute, causes the mounted printing plate to rotate, performing repetitive printing functions on a thin substrate, typically a plastic film such as polyester or polyamide, cardboard, paper, or aluminum foil, which moves through the machine at very high substrate speeds and sequentially against successive printing plates of corresponding different sleeves. For example, in flexographic printing, each printing plate is etched to carry ink, which is transferred to the substrate as it passes through multiple printing sleeves rotating on the machine. Each printing plate typically prints a portion of the final image in a specific color. Each final image continuously printed on the substrate is called a “repeating unit” of the image. For example, in the flexible packaging industry, the final printed substrate is eventually cut to separate each repeating unit from the substrate, so that the separated repeating units can be folded and glued to form packaging, such as a cereal box with the final image printed on the outside. It is not uncommon for the substrate to pass through a flexographic printing machine at speeds of 800 meters per minute.

[0012] For example, in the flexographic printing industry, the diameter of the printing sleeve must be adjusted to accommodate different sizes of repeating image units printed on a substrate that passes through the machine. The larger the image in each repeating unit, the larger the diameter of the printing sleeve required to mount the image-bearing printing plate onto the outer surface of the printing sleeve. However, because the rotating mandrels on flexographic printing machines must rotate at very high speeds, these steel mandrels must be manufactured to very tight dimensional and balance tolerances, making their manufacture particularly precise and expensive. For any given printing job, different diameter steel mandrels may be needed to accommodate printing sleeves of varying diameters, but maintaining a large inventory of steel mandrels of different diameters may be impractical.

[0013] This problem can be solved by providing commercially available sleeves typically formed as multi-layer bodies, comprising: a rigid outer region defining a rigid outer surface for carrying the printing plate at a desired distance from the axis of rotation; an inner core defining an inner surface profiled according to the outer surface of the rotating steel spindle of the printing machine; and an elastically compressible and radially deformable region arranged abutting against the outer surface of the inner core of the printing sleeve. An additional intermediate spacer layer may be provided between the inner surface of the rigid outer region and the outer portion of the elastically compressible and radially deformable layer. Thus, these printing sleeves have an inner core defining an inner surface that can expand radially under air pressure for mounting and removing the printing sleeve from the spindle. In its unexpanded state, such as when the flexographic printing sleeve is stored before being mounted on the steel spindle, the diameter of the inner surface of the inner core is slightly smaller than the diameter of the outer surface of the rotating steel spindle of the flexographic printing machine.

[0014] Each consecutive region of such a multi-layered sleeve is composed of different materials designed to perform different desired functions. However, each individual material must be connected in some way to the region immediately below to form a monolithic structure as a printing sleeve. A weakness in traditional methods of manufacturing printing sleeves with different regions formed of different materials lies in the tendency for eventual failure to occur at the interface between any two different regions. This weakness is a natural consequence of poor adhesion between the different materials forming each region.

[0015] Cylindrical coordinate-based 3D printing systems are known, and examples are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020-0070418 granted to Wang et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Generally, the long-standing need to apply 3D printing technology to the manufacture of flexographic sleeves is evident from, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016-0238065 granted to Otten, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Although Otten published and proposed in 2016 the possibility of using 3D technology to generate the intermediate cylindrical region of a flexographic sleeve and then attaching that intermediate cylindrical region to other segments of the flexographic sleeve in a further processing step, the applicant was unaware that any commercially viable sleeves produced according to Otten had been accepted by the market.

[0016] In the 3D printing of a hollow cylindrical body, material is extruded from the printhead to lay up circular material rings. These circular material rings connect at opposite ends and are then vertically graded by the thickness of the material rings to begin laying up continuous material rings on top of the previous ones. A mating anomaly, commonly referred to as a zipper defect, occurs where the opposite ends of each deposited material ring meet. This defect adversely affects the fitting of the sleeve onto a mandrel or the outer surface of a bridging sleeve. The zipper defect in the inner surface of the sleeve's core creates an escape channel for pressurized airflow, which is necessary for the inner surface of the sleeve's core to expand sufficiently to mount the sleeve onto the mandrel. Therefore, it is impossible to generate sufficient air pressure between the mandrel and the core to allow the core to expand sufficiently for mounting the sleeve onto the mandrel. Because the zipper defect cannot be eliminated by machining the finished core, the entire sleeve becomes unusable and must be discarded as scrap.

[0017] The interfaces between consecutive deposited material rings can also create surface anomalies requiring machining. These interfaces also constitute areas prone to delamination due to insufficient fusion between the consecutively deposited extruded material rings. A technique for minimizing insufficient fusion between consecutive extruded material rings is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023-0166450, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. This technique requires providing a heating element near the nozzles of the printhead and directing heat to the upper surface of the lower material layer to improve the melting and adhesion of the upper material layer extruded from adjacent nozzles of the printhead.

[0018] Furthermore, the expectation of reusable sleeves places durability demands on commercially acceptable sleeves on the market. The durability of such sleeves is challenged by the chemicals used in printing and the harsh, corrosive chemicals used to clean them between uses.

[0019] Bridging sleeves used in flexographic printing presses may be one to two meters long, cylindrical, and include at least the aforementioned distinct annular regions extending from the inner core layer to the outermost rigid surface of the bridging sleeve. Successive annular regions within these annular regions must be connected in some way to form a single, integral structure, i.e., the bridging sleeve. A weakness in conventional methods of manufacturing bridging sleeves with different annular regions is the susceptibility to eventual failure at the interface between any two distinct annular regions. Each annular region is individually constructed as a cylindrical shell, and the joining cylindrical surfaces of adjacent annular regions are typically attached by an adhesive that deteriorates over time. Summary of the Invention

[0020] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to disclose a sleeve that can be mounted on one or more rotating mandrels of a commercial printing machine, including but not limited to flexographic printing machines. The sleeve can therefore be any of different types. For example, in the field of flexographic printing, the sleeve can be a printing sleeve directly mounted on the mandrel of the printing machine, or it can be a bridging sleeve directly mounted on the mandrel of the printing machine and on which a printing sleeve can be mounted. A printing sleeve can comprise a single, distinct shell of generally conical or cylindrical shape. However, more complex printing sleeves or bridging sleeves can comprise at least three distinct annular regions, which are simultaneously integrally formed into a monolithic structure and therefore do not require subsequent adhesion to each other in manufacturing steps separate from the manufacturing of each distinct region of the finished sleeve. In short, the objective is achieved using 3D printing technology, which allows at least three distinct regions to be printed simultaneously as the printing platform moves downward from a horizontal printing plane. Each of the multiple print heads extrudes a separate material filament onto a spiral filament immediately below the body, which serves as the precursor to the finished sleeve, while each of the other print heads simultaneously prints the same spiral filament of the sleeve.

[0021] According to the present invention, a 3D printing machine for manufacturing a 3D printed sleeve has multiple print heads, each of which is designed to extrude material at different radial positions within a horizontal printing plane. The 3D printed sleeve builds helical layers on helical layers deposited within the horizontal printing plane along a vertically aligned axis, which coincides with both the machine's build axis and the sleeve's rotation axis. As the multiple print heads lay down printing material layer by layer, the support platform of the 3D printing machine moves vertically downward from the aforementioned horizontal printing plane. Each layer of printing material is sometimes referred to as a filamentary path, as the name derives from the path traveled by the print head as it rotates and descends vertically from the printing plane where the 3D machine's build plate extrudes the printing material. Extruded material continues to be discharged from the print heads until the 3D printed sleeve reaches a length of two meters (or any final length). Because the characteristics of each different region of the 3D printed sleeve are different from each other, one of the print heads is deployed to print the innermost region, one of the print heads is deployed to print the outermost region, and one or more of the print heads are deployed to print one or more regions located between the innermost and outermost regions.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the 3D printing apparatus includes a controller that manages the kinematics between multiple print heads, a build plate that moves vertically along and rotatably about the build axis, and a temperature control subassembly. Each of the multiple print heads is capable of moving radially toward and away from the build axis in the printing plane, and the build platen is capable of vertical and rotatable movement to allow for continuous and simultaneous helical printing of different radial segments of a sleeve being 3D printed.

[0023] In an advantageous aspect of the invention, the spiral deposition of material extruded from the nozzles of each printhead ensures the absence of any mating anomalies that would normally occur during conventional 3D printing of a cylindrical body when material is deposited layer by layer. According to this aspect of the invention, spiral 3D printing of the innermost surface of the sleeve prevents the sleeve from exhibiting any zipper defects that would result in an unacceptable sleeve and generate unwanted manufacturing waste.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the temperature control subassembly is continuously adjustable in the vertical direction to maintain the heated air column within the 3D printing sleeve at a desired temperature during sleeve printing. The temperature control subassembly is also configured to form a closed loop for circulating the heated air, thereby reducing the energy demand from the heating element that generates the heat required to maintain the air temperature inside the sleeve during printing. The flow of heated air through the hollow interior of the sleeve during 3D printing ensures integral adhesion between each spiral of the deposited material extruded from the printhead during the continuous rotational cycle of the vertically descending build plate.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the temperature control subassembly forms a confined space within the central hollow opening that passes through the sleeve. Continuous flow of heated air through this confined space facilitates uniform and controlled heating, preventing structural anomalies within the sleeve body that would otherwise create rotational imbalances and / or structural weaknesses.

[0026] Another advantage of this invention is that it enables the manufacture of sleeves without the use of forming mandrels.

[0027] Another advantage of the present invention is that the sleeve can be constructed without the use of forming mandrels or construction mandrels, thereby eliminating the large manufacturing costs caused by the need for mandrels to manufacture the sleeve.

[0028] Another advantage of the present invention is that the sleeve can be constructed without the use of a forming mandrel or a construction mandrel, thereby eliminating the risk of accidental injury to personnel responsible for handling and using the mandrel.

[0029] Another advantage of the invention is that the sleeve can be constructed without the use of a forming mandrel, thereby eliminating the risk of manufacturing sleeves that fit too loosely or too tightly onto the mandrel of a commercial printing machine and thus become useless manufacturing waste.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the 3D-printed sleeve provides an internal structure in which most of the interior is occupied by substantially weightless void space, rather than by structural elements that contribute weight to the sleeve. The lighter-weight sleeve manufactured according to this disclosure facilitates handling compared to the effort required to handle conventional sleeves. Easier handling means a lower risk of injury to workers and a lower incidence of sleeve damage during handling. The lighter-weight sleeve manufactured according to this disclosure also reduces the sleeve's moment of inertia and correspondingly reduces the energy required by the motor of the printing machine to rotate the spindle on which the sleeve is mounted.

[0031] Advantageously, the entire sleeve according to this disclosure is formed of a thermoplastic material, which allows the used sleeve to be recycled by grinding and remelting to form a reusable material. In this way, the sleeve according to this disclosure is more environmentally friendly than conventional sleeves. Attached Figure Description

[0032] In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments thereof, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of an example of a printing cylindrical component capable of being air-mounted together with a printing sleeve, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a multilayer printed sleeve manufactured according to various aspects of this disclosure;

[0035] Figure 2A This is a schematic perspective view of a portion of the housing of an embodiment of a radial air bridging sleeve according to various aspects of this disclosure;

[0036] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 The line III-III intercepted Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the printing sleeve;

[0037] Figure 3A This is a schematic perspective view of the end portion of an embodiment of an axial air bridging sleeve according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0038] Figure 3B This is a schematic perspective view of the end portion of an embodiment of a radial air bridging sleeve according to various aspects of this disclosure;

[0039] Figure 4 It is along Figure 2 The line IV-IV intercepted Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the printing sleeve;

[0040] Figure 4A This is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the axis of rotation at a portion of an embodiment of an axial air bridging sleeve according to various aspects of this disclosure, but without the conventional cross-shading.

[0041] Figure 4B This is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the axis of rotation at a portion of an embodiment of a radial air bridging sleeve according to various aspects of this disclosure, but without the conventional cross-shading.

[0042] Figure 4C This is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the axis of rotation at a portion of an additional embodiment of the sleeve according to various aspects of this disclosure;

[0043] Figure 5A This is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a single-layer printed sleeve according to various aspects of this disclosure;

[0044] Figure 5B This is a schematic representation of a front perspective view of the printing system in a section of the filament during the deposition of printing material in an embodiment of forming a single-layer printing sleeve according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0045] Figure 6 This is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the first support layer of a multilayer printed sleeve according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

[0046] Figure 7 This is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the second support layer of a multilayer printed sleeve according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

[0047] Figure 8 This is an end view of an embodiment of the inner shell, intermediate shell, and first support structure positioned between the inner shell and intermediate shell according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0048] Figure 9 This is an end view of an embodiment of the inner shell, an alternative embodiment of the intermediate shell, and an alternative embodiment of the first support structure positioned between the inner shell and the intermediate shell, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0049] Figure 10 This is an end view of an embodiment of the inner shell, an alternative embodiment of the intermediate shell, and an alternative embodiment of the first support structure positioned between the inner shell and the intermediate shell, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0050] Figure 11 This is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a machine for manufacturing a printing sleeve according to various aspects of this disclosure, wherein the construction plate is in a first position;

[0051] Figure 12 It is according to various aspects of the present invention Figure 11 The image shows a side perspective view of the machine, but in it, the building blocks are vertically shifted at different positions;

[0052] Figure 13 Based on all aspects of this disclosure Figure 11 A frontal perspective view of the top portion of the machine shown in the image;

[0053] Figure 14 Based on all aspects of this disclosure Figure 11 The image shows a bottom perspective view of the top portion of the machine.

[0054] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a printhead for an embodiment of a machine for manufacturing a printing sleeve according to various aspects of this disclosure;

[0055] Figure 16 Based on all aspects of this disclosure Figure 11 A front perspective view of the side portion of the machine shown in the figure;

[0056] Figure 17 This is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a machine for manufacturing printing sleeves according to various aspects of this disclosure, showing the top portion.

[0057] Figure 18 This is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the building components of an embodiment of a machine for manufacturing a printing sleeve according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0058] Figure 19 It is along Figure 18 The line XIX-XIX is intercepted. Figure 18 A cross-sectional view of the building components;

[0059] Figure 20 This is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the building components of an embodiment of a machine for manufacturing a printing sleeve according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0060] Figure 21 It is along Figure 20 The line XXI-XXI intercepted Figure 20 A cross-sectional view of the building components;

[0061] Figure 22AThis is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the machine and sleeve in a first construction position according to various aspects of this disclosure;

[0062] Figure 22B It is a top view of the machine and sleeve in a first construction position according to various aspects of this disclosure;

[0063] Figure 23A This is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the machine and sleeve in a second construction position according to various aspects of this disclosure;

[0064] Figure 23B This is a top view of the machine and sleeve in a second construction position according to various aspects of this disclosure;

[0065] Figure 24A This is a schematic top view of a single printhead according to various aspects of the present disclosure of an embodiment of forming a single-layer sleeve;

[0066] Figure 24B This is a schematic top view of three printheads that can move independently of each other while forming a multi-layered sleeve, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0067] Figure 24C This is a schematic top view of five printheads that can move independently of each other while forming a multi-layered sleeve, according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0068] Figure 25 Embodiments of a method for additive manufacturing of printed sleeves according to various aspects of this disclosure are schematically illustrated; and

[0069] Figure 26 An embodiment of control logic, which can be executed by a computing system to model a sleeve to be machine-printed and to manufacture a modeled sleeve, is illustrated schematically according to various aspects of this subject.

[0070] Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same objects. Detailed Implementation

[0071] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of interpretation rather than limitation of the present disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For example, a feature illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used in conjunction with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to cover such modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0072] In this document, relational terms such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom” are used only to distinguish one entity or action from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article of manufacture, or apparatus that includes a list of elements may include not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article of manufacture, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element preceded by “comprising…a” does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article of manufacture, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0073] As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” are used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to indicate the location or importance of individual components. Unless otherwise stated herein, the terms “connected,” “fixed,” “attached to,” etc., refer to direct connection, fixation, or attachment, as well as indirect connection, fixation, or attachment via one or more intermediate components or features. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to relative directions with respect to the flow or movement direction of the material and / or fluid. For example, “upstream” refers to the direction from which the material and / or fluid flows, while “downstream” refers to the direction to which the material and / or fluid moves. The term “selectively” refers to the ability of a component to operate in various states (e.g., on and off) based on manual and / or automatic control. The term “radial” defines a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and the term “axial” defines a direction parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0074] Furthermore, any arrangement of components that perform the same function is effectively “associated” to achieve that function. Therefore, any two components combined herein to achieve a specific function can be considered “associated” with each other to achieve the desired function, regardless of the architecture or intermediate components. Similarly, any two such associated components can also be considered “operably connected” or “operably linked” with each other to achieve the desired function, and any two components that can be suchly associated can also be considered “operably linked” with each other to achieve the desired function. Some examples of components that can be operatedly linked include, but are not limited to, physically matchable, physically interactive components, wirelessly interactive components, logically interactive and / or logically interactive components.

[0075] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “a,” and “the” include plural references.

[0076] As used throughout the specification and claims, approximate language is applied to any quantitative representation that may allow for variation without causing a change in its associated essential function. Therefore, values ​​modified by one or more terms such as “about,” “approximately,” “roughly,” and “substantially” are not limited to the specified precise values. In at least some cases, approximate language may correspond to the precision of the instrument used to measure the value, or the precision of the method or apparatus used to constitute or manufacture the component and / or system. For example, approximate language may refer to a margin of 10%.

[0077] Furthermore, the technology of this application will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments. In addition, unless explicitly indicated otherwise, all embodiments described herein should be considered exemplary.

[0078] As used herein, the term "and / or," when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items may be used alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be used. For example, if a composition or component is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, then the composition or component may contain only A, only B, only C, a combination of A and B, a combination of A and C, a combination of B and C, or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0079] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "extrudable" means a composition, compound, substance, material, etc., that has sufficient ductility, flexibility, thermoplasticity, etc., to be forced through an extrusion orifice or die.

[0080] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "fusible" refers to a thermoplastic composition, substance, material, etc., that can be fused, sintered, joined together, combined, etc., by the application of heat.

[0081] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "printable material" refers to a composition, substance, or material that can be formed into three-dimensional (3D) articles, devices, components, objects, structures, parts, etc., by three-dimensional (3D) printing technology.

[0082] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "3D printing" (also referred to as "additive printing" and "additive manufacturing") means any of the processes and techniques (e.g., coating, spraying, deposition, application, extrusion, fusion, sintering, etc., or any combination thereof) used to manufacture 3D articles, devices, objects, component structures, parts, etc. from 3D models, other electronic data sources (e.g., computer-aided drafting (CAD) program files, stereolithography (STL) files, etc.) through additive processes, wherein, for example, continuous layers of material (e.g., filaments, films, powders, particles, granules, etc.) can be laid up under computer control. 3D printing processes and techniques may include, for example, fusion filament fabrication (FFF), selective laser sintering (SLS) (also referred to herein as selective laser melting (SLM)), inkjet 3D printing (also referred to herein as inkjet 3D printing), etc.

[0083] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "fusion filament manufacturing (FFF)" (also referred to herein by interchangeably as fusion deposition modeling (FDM), fusion extrusion deposition (FED), or plastic jet printing (PJP)) refers to a three-dimensional (3D) printing technique in which thermoplastic filaments (preformed or in-situ formed) are extruded layer by layer from an extrusion (printing) nozzle (also referred to interchangeably as a "print head"), and these layers adhere (fuse) together due to liquefaction, melting, softening, fusion, etc., to form three-dimensional (3D) articles, devices, parts, objects, structures, components, etc.

[0084] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "fusion filament fabrication (FFF) printer" refers to any three-dimensional (3D) printer that operates using fusion filament fabrication (FFF) technology.

[0085] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "road" refers to a continuous length of liquefied, molten, melted, or softened material laid after the material has been extruded from a fusion filament (FFF) printer or additive manufacturing machine.

[0086] Now refer to Figures 1 to 10Various examples of printed sleeves 10 according to various aspects of this disclosure are illustrated, illustrating how sleeves 10 can be manufactured using 3D printing technology, and it should be understood that what is described is the body of sleeve 10. Because the description of the 3D printing of the body of sleeve 10 is a key focus of this document, discussion of post-printing processing is not emphasized. Post-printing processing refers to the conventional processing of the body of the sleeve that occurs after the 3D printing of the body of sleeve 10. Such post-printing processing may be desired to make the body conform to a commercially marketable sleeve 10. Such post-printing processing typically includes one or more of the following processing operations: smoothing the outermost surface, drilling, cutting opposite ends of the body to determine the length dimensions of sleeve 10, and mates the opposite ends of sleeve 10 with end flanges for one or more functions of sleeve 10. Therefore, sleeves and their bodies are used interchangeably herein when the context deems it appropriate.

[0087] exist Figures 1 to 10 Various embodiments of the body of the printing sleeve 10, schematically shown in various aspects, can be generally tubular and can have parallel or tapered cores depending on the available types of printing mandrels (parallel or tapered). In various examples, the printing sleeve 10 can be implemented within a flexographic printing machine, which may have one or more rotating cylindrical mandrels typically formed of steel or steel plus carbon fiber. Each mandrel is capable of carrying one of the printing sleeves 10, which in turn carries a printing plate (not shown) on which an image can be inked to repeatedly print the image onto a substrate passing through an impression zone partially formed by the printing plate carried by the printing sleeve 10. Each printing plate carried on the printing sleeve 10 can be configured to define and / or carry printing marks that form a separate portion of the final image printed on the substrate as the substrate passes through all the printing sleeves 10 mounted on the flexographic printing machine. For example, a portion of the final image printed on the substrate by the printing plate of a single printing sleeve 10 can be all specific colors of the final image.

[0088] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, a generally cylindrical printing sleeve 10 is provided, which can be mounted onto the outer surface 12 of a printing mandrel. Figure 1The general designation is indicated by reference numeral 14 in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in various cases, the printing mandrel 14 may define an aperture 16 capable of supplying pressurized air from an air source (not shown) via a valve 18. While any pressure can be supplied, pressures greater than approximately 65 pounds per square inch (psi) may be used. In some cases, particularly where the installation and removal of the printing sleeve 10 is aided by venting pressurized air from within the mandrel 14, the printing sleeve 10 may have an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the outer surface 12 of the printing mandrel 14.

[0089] Because the inner surface 12 of some printing sleeves 10 is formed of a material that can repeatedly and elastically expand and contract to a limited extent, the diameter of the inner surface 22 of the printing sleeve 10 can be altered (e.g., increased) by providing pressurized air against this inner surface 12 so that it can be fitted onto the outer surface 12 of the printing mandrel 14, such as the mandrel of a printing machine (not shown). This increase in the diameter of the inner surface 12 of the printing sleeve 10 caused by introducing pressurized air between the outer surface 12 of the printing machine mandrel 14 and the inner surface 22 of the printing sleeve 10 is considered to be typically less than 1 mm. For example, to mount the printing sleeve 10 onto the mandrel 14, the user can position the sleeve 10 onto the mandrel 14 while simultaneously supplying pressurized air. Once the entire length of the sleeve 10 has been positioned on the mandrel 14, the pressurized air can be shut off, thereby allowing the diameter of the inner surface 22 of the printing sleeve 10 to contract and causing the printing sleeve 10 to remain on the printing mandrel 14 in a manner that ensures no relative rotation between the inner surface 22 of the sleeve 10 and the outer surface 12 of the mandrel 14. To utilize the printing sleeve 10, a printing plate (not shown) defining the image to be printed on a substrate (not shown) can then be attached to the outer surface 38 of the printing sleeve 10. Figure 4 ).

[0090] exist Figures 2 to 10 The illustrative embodiments of the printing sleeve 10 of this disclosure are described in more detail below. For example, as... Figure 3 As illustrated in the cross-sectional view, the printing sleeve 10 may include an inner shell 20. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the inner shell 20 may define a cylindrical inner surface 22 and a cylindrical outer surface 24 generally concentric with the inner surface 22. However, in other examples, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, the inner surface 22 and the outer surface 24 may be non-cylindrical, for example, conical. The inner surface 22 of the inner shell 20 may define a hollow interior region 26 of the printing sleeve 10, which provides the inner surface 22 of the inner shell 20 with a position for positioning to the outer surface 12 of the printing mandrel 14. Figure 1The space on the outer surface 12 of the printing mandrel 14. In various examples, any of the various materials used to form the printing sleeve 10 can be used to form the inner shell 20. In some embodiments, the inner shell 20 is formed of an expandable, highly rigid material. However, such a material is selected to have the mechanical properties that allow the inner shell 20 to expand and contract springily, so that the inner shell 20 can repeatedly expand and contract without adverse consequences, thereby maintaining the space on the outer surface 12 of the printing mandrel 14. Figure 1 An interference fit is formed without relative sliding.

[0091] As used herein, the term "expandable" refers to air that can expand relative to the axis of rotation A when a certain pressure is applied. R The material expands a certain radial distance. However, it will be understood that the expansion of the inner shell 20 of the sleeve 10 is generally considered to be less than 1 mm. The actual amount of radial expansion can vary depending on a variety of factors such as the diameter of the inner shell 20 of the sleeve 10, the interference fit used, the axial length of the sleeve 10, and the mechanical properties of the material forming the inner shell 20 of the sleeve 10.

[0092] For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, the printing sleeve 10 may also include an intermediate shell 28. In various examples, the intermediate shell 28 can be used to increase the thickness of the printing sleeve 10 and allow the inner shell 20 to expand sufficiently for mounting the sleeve 10 to the printing cylinder ( Figure 1 (On and from the printed cylindrical part.) The inner shell 28 is intended to provide rigid stops and is substantially non-radially expandable. For example, as Figure 4 As schematically shown, the inner surface 30 of the intermediate shell 28 can be rotated relative to the axis of rotation A of the sleeve 10. R It is positioned on the outside of the inner shell 20. The intermediate shell 28 may also define an outer surface 32, which is oriented relative to the inner surface 30 about the axis of rotation A. R Roughly concentric. Typically, the intermediate shell 28 can be configured to have a rotational axis A along the sleeve 10. R The thickness is measured in the radial direction and can be varied to accommodate different embodiments of the sleeve 10. For example, the thickness used can vary depending on various factors such as the hardness and other mechanical properties of the material forming the intermediate shell 28, the diameter of the sleeve 10 and / or the intermediate shell 28, the axial length of the sleeve 10 and / or the intermediate shell 28, the amount of air pressure applied when installing or removing the sleeve 10, the interference fit used, and so on.

[0093] Further reference Figures 2 to 10In addition to the inner shell 20 and / or the intermediate shell 28, the sleeve 10 may also include one or more outer shells 34. One or more outer shells 34 may be used to further increase the radial thickness of the sleeve 10 or to serve as a covering layer for the sleeve 10. In some examples, such as in... Figure 4 As depicted herein, the outer casing 34 may define a cylindrical inner surface 36 and a cylindrical outer surface 38. In various examples, without departing from the teachings provided herein, the sleeve 10 may also include an additional shell disposed inside the outer casing 34. Typically, the outer casing 34 and the aforementioned additional shell disposed inside the outer casing 34 may be made of any of a variety of materials. For example, the outer casing 34 may be made of a rigid material and / or a non-rigid material. For example, the outer casing 34 may be a substantially rigid material with a hardness greater than that of the intermediate shell 28. However, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, the hardness of any shell described herein may be equal to or different from any other shell in any manner for a particular desired embodiment of the sleeve 10.

[0094] In some examples, the outermost surface of the printed sleeve 10, for example, is... Figure 4 The outer surface 38 of the housing 34 shown may preferably have a smooth finish, the tolerance of which allows the printing plate to be supported thereon. For example, the outer surface 38 may be round and smooth enough that the total indicated runout (TIR) ​​of the combination of printing sleeves 10, as determined according to techniques known in the art, is less than about 0.020 mm. Furthermore, if desired, the outer surfaces of other layers, such as the intermediate shell 28 or the housing 34, may also have a smooth finish.

[0095] like Figures 2 to 10 As illustrated, one or more support structures may be positioned on any shell of the housing of sleeve 10 and / or operably connected to any shell of the housing of sleeve 10. For example, as shown in the figure. Figure 3 As shown, the first support structure 40 can be configured to contact the inner shell 20 and the intermediate shell 28 of the printing sleeve 10. The first support structure 40 is integrated with both the inner shell 20 and the intermediate shell 28 to form an integral structure.

[0096] like Figure 4 The diagram illustrates the projection onto an axis A that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. R When projected onto a flat plane, the shape of the projection of the first support structure 40 onto the flat plane can be defined by the shape of a plurality of first solid portions 42, which are repeated end-to-end around the sleeve 10 along a complete circumferential path. For ease of explanation and reference... Figure 4A portion of the intermediate shell 28 is indicated by cross-shading to draw attention to the first repetition of the position of the first solid portion 42 of the first support structure 40. The first solid portion 42 is defined by a pair of legs having... Figure 4 The points designated as 46 are connected to each other and to the opposite ends of the inner shell 20, while the opposite ends of each leg of the first solid portion 42 are at... Figure 4 The point designated as 44 is connected to the intermediate shell 28. Figure 4 In the depicted embodiment, as each leg extends between the inner shell 20 and the intermediate shell 28, each leg of the first solid portion 42 has a relative rotation axis A between adjacent contact points 44 and 46. R The leg extends a greater distance in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction. In other words, the leg spans a greater distance in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction. However, in an alternative configuration of the first support structure 40, when each leg extends between the inner shell 20 and the intermediate shell 28, each leg of the first solid portion 42 can be positioned relative to the axis of rotation A between adjacent contact points 44 and 46. R The distance that extends further in the radial direction than in the circumferential direction, or the distance that extends equally in both the radial and circumferential directions.

[0097] The contact point 44 of the first solid portion 42 can also be defined by the first central angle θ1. However, the first support structure 40 is integrated with the intermediate shell 28 to form an integral structure. Figure 4 As shown, the first solid portion 42 repeats multiple times as it moves along a complete circumferential path around the sleeve 10, and the repeated portions of the solid portion 42 are connected end-to-end along a complete circumferential path around the sleeve 10. Each pair of contact points 44 defines one repetition of the first solid portion 42, and the sum of all first central angles θ1 is equal to 360°. The number of contact points 46 is equal to the number of times the first solid portion 42 repeats along a circumferential stroke around the sleeve 10. This number of repetitions of the first solid portion 42 in a particular first support structure 40 will depend, for example, the diameter of the inner surface 30 of the intermediate shell 28 and the shape of the legs of the first solid portion 42. In addition to the multiple legs of the first solid portion 42 defining the first support structure 40, there is an empty space between the inner shell 20 and the intermediate shell 28.

[0098] Further reference Figure 6This schematically illustrates what would happen if the intermediate shell 28 were somehow eliminated to expose only the first support structure 40 connected to the inner shell 20. The positions of the contact points 44 connected to the intermediate shell 28 would be radially aligned along the axial length of the sleeve 10. Therefore, the positions of the contact points 44 would form lines along the axial direction of the sleeve 10. These lines would be approximately parallel to each other in the axial direction. In some desired embodiments of the sleeve 10, the first support structure 40 is typically capable of springback compression in the radial direction.

[0099] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the first support structure 40 is desirously configured to provide a spring-loaded compressibility function between the inner shell 20 and the intermediate shell 28, allowing the inner surface 22 of the inner shell 20 to expand sufficiently, thereby enabling the sleeve 10 to be mounted and removed from the mandrel 14, whether the mandrel 14 is on a printing machine or used as a construction mandrel. The amount of compressibility of the first support structure 40 will be based on the cross-sectional shape of the first support structure 40, as well as other factors such as the thickness of the solid portion 42 defining the shape of the first support structure 40 and the composition of the material extruded to form the first support structure 40.

[0100] According to an aspect of the invention, since the first support structure 40, the inner shell 20, and the intermediate shell 28 are preferably formed from the same thermoplastic material by simultaneous 3D printing as described herein, the first support structure 40 is integrated with both the inner shell 20 and the intermediate shell 28 to form an integral structure. This integral structure avoids the problems that would otherwise affect compressible layers formed from materials different from those used to form the inner shell 20 and intermediate shell 28 in conventional sleeves.

[0101] In addition, the large proportion of empty space within the first support structure 40, relative to the weight of a conventional sleeve, is expected to reduce the total weight of the sleeve 10.

[0102] Return to reference, for example Figures 2 to 4 and Figure 7 The second support structure 48 can be configured to contact the intermediate shell 28 and the outer shell 34 of the printing sleeve 10. For example, as Figure 3 As shown, the second support structure 48 is integrated with the outer shell 34, the intermediate shell 28, the first support structure 40, and the inner shell 20 to form an integral structure.

[0103] like Figure 4 The diagram illustrates the projection onto an axis A that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation. R When projected onto a flat plane, the shape of the projection of the second support structure 48 onto the flat plane can be defined by the shapes of a plurality of second solid portions 50, which repeat end-to-end around the sleeve 10 along a complete circumferential path. For ease of illustration and reference... Figure 4A portion of the outer casing 34 is indicated by cross-shading to draw attention to the first repetition of the position of the second solid portion 50 of the second support structure 48. The second solid portion 50 is defined by a pair of legs having... Figure 4 The two points designated as 52 are connected to opposite ends of the housing 34, while the opposite ends of each leg of the second solid portion 50 are at... Figure 4 Point 54 is connected to each other and to the intermediate shell 28. Figure 4 In the exemplary embodiment depicted, as each leg extends between the outer shell 34 and the intermediate shell 28, each leg of the second solid portion 50 is positioned relative to the axis of rotation A between adjacent contact points 52 and 54. R Extending in both the circumferential and radial directions. Ideally, the legs should span a greater distance radially than their circumferential span. However, in an alternative configuration of the second support structure 48, when each leg extends between the outer shell 34 and the intermediate shell 28, each leg of the second solid portion 50 can be positioned relative to the axis of rotation A between adjacent contact points 52 and 54. R The distance that extends in the circumferential direction is greater than that in the radial direction, or the distance that extends in both the radial and circumferential directions is equal.

[0104] The contact point 52 of the second solid portion 50 can also be defined by the second central angle θ2. In some examples, such as... Figure 4 In the example illustrated, the second central angle θ2 can be smaller than the second central angle θ1. Therefore, the second support structure 48 can have more contact points 52 with the outer shell 34 compared to the contact point 44 between the first support structure 40 and the intermediate shell 28. However, the second support structure 50 is integrated with the outer shell, the intermediate shell 28, the first support structure 42, and the inner shell 20 to form an integral structure.

[0105] like Figure 4 As shown, the second solid portion 50 repeats multiple times as it moves along a complete circumferential path around the sleeve 10, and the repeated portions of the second solid portion 50 are connected end-to-end along a complete circumferential path around the sleeve 10. Each pair of contact points 52 defines one repetition of the second solid portion 50, and the sum of all second central angles θ2 is equal to 360°. The number of contact points 54 is equal to the number of times the second solid portion 50 repeats in one circumferential stroke around the sleeve 10. This number of repetitions of the second solid portion 50 in a particular second support structure 48 will depend, for example, the diameter of the outer surface 33 of the intermediate shell 28, the diameter of the inner surface 36 of the outer shell 34, and the shape of the legs of the second solid portion 50.

[0106] Apart from the multiple legs defining the solid portion 50 of the second support structure 48, there is an empty space between the outer shell 34 and the intermediate shell 28. Therefore, the large proportion of empty space within the second support structure 48 desirously reduces the total weight of the sleeve 10 relative to the weight of a conventional sleeve.

[0107] Further reference Figure 7 For ease of explanation, and schematically illustrated with the housing 34 removed, the contact point 52 can be located at a distance from the axis of rotation A. R The vertex region is defined at the maximum radial distance of 56. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the vertex region 56 defining the second support structure 48 is desired to form a spiral shape or a helical shape. In such a case... Figure 7 In the view shown in the figure, at the end of the second support structure 48 in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the vertex region 56 is projected onto this plane as points 52 of a plurality of teeth protruding from the intermediate shell 28. As will be further described herein, the sleeve 10 can be formed by a spiral pattern of the printing material PM. For example, the spiral pattern of the printing material PM forming each sequential layer of the sleeve 10 can have a similar shape to... Figure 7 The different pitches are shown in the figure.

[0108] In some embodiments, the second support structure 48 is desiccated to be substantially rigid and incompressible, wherein the amount of stiffness is based on the cross-sectional shape of the second support structure 48, and other factors such as the thickness of the legs of the second solid portion 50 of the second support structure 48 and the composition of the material extruded to form the second support structure 48. In alternative embodiments, the second support structure 48 is desiccated to be slightly compressible, wherein the degree of compressibility allowed is based on the cross-sectional shape of the second support structure 48, and other factors such as the thickness of the legs of the second solid portion 50 of the second support structure 48 and the composition of the material extruded to form the second support structure 48. In such alternative embodiments of the sleeve 10 having a slightly compressible second support structure 48, an incompressible type of double-sided adhesive tape can be used to adhere the printing plate to the outer surface of the printing sleeve 10, and such an incompressible type of double-sided adhesive tape is cheaper than the compressible type of double-sided tape conventionally used to adhere the printing plate to the outer surface of the printing sleeve 10.

[0109] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the second support structure 48 is desirously configured to provide a rigid support function between the intermediate shell 28 and the outer shell 34 to maintain a uniform diameter of the outer surface 38 on which the printed circuit board (not shown) will be mounted. According to an aspect of the invention, since the second support structure 48, the outer shell 34, and the intermediate shell 28 are desirously formed from the same thermoplastic material by simultaneous 3D printing as described herein, the problems encountered by conventional sleeves comprising a rigid filler layer made of a material different from that forming the outer shell 34 are avoided. Furthermore, the large proportion of empty space within the second support structure 48 replaces any rigid filler layer of a conventional sleeve, thus desirously reducing the total weight of the sleeve 10 according to the present disclosure relative to the weight of a conventional sleeve.

[0110] Reference Figures 8 to 10 The illustration shows various configurations of the first support structure 40 according to various aspects of this disclosure. For example... Figure 8 and Figure 9 As schematically shown, the first support structure 40 may include a guide with a plurality of contact points 44 connected to the intermediate shell 28 and a plurality of connection points 46 connected to the inner shell 20. Furthermore, the guide of the first support structure 40 may have an intersection 58 circumferentially positioned between a pair of contact points 44. In such a case, the intersection 58 can alter the compressibility of the first support structure 40. However, as... Figure 10 As schematically shown, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, the threads of the first support structure 40 may not have intersections 58.

[0111] Now refer to Figures 11 to 24C In some examples, the sleeve 10 (or a portion thereof) can be formed by an additive manufacturing process (also known as three-dimensional (3D) printing) that is based on a computer-controlled program that instructs an additive manufacturing machine, generally indicated by reference numeral 100, to deposit continuous layers of material. These continuous layers of material can then be fused to form the printed sleeve 10 (or a portion thereof). For example, fusion deposition modeling (FDM), also referred to herein as fusion filament fabrication (FFF), is one such additive manufacturing process. In fusion filament fabrication (FFF), a thermoplastic printing material PM can be supplied from a source of such printing material PM to, for example, in… Figures 13 to 15 and Figure 17The extrusion printhead 102 is shown in the figure. In various FFF machines, a worm gear system can engage and push the printing material PM to and through the printhead 102 at a controlled rate. The printhead 102 can be heated to melt the printing material PM, wherein the molten printing material PM filaments are then deposited by the printhead 102 as material beads, which forms a material filament channel, which can then harden after being extruded from the printhead 102 and fused to the printing material PM filament channel below.

[0112] While depositing molten printing material PM, the printhead 102 can move in any direction under the control of a computing system. For example, the positioning of the printhead 102 can follow a build path controlled by a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software program implemented within the computing system. The build path defines how the molten printing material PM is deposited from the printhead 102 as “filaments” of material to form a pattern of a given layer, which fuses with the immediately above and immediately below filaments to form a segment integrally formed by the body printed by a particular printhead 102. Thus, when forming a sleeve 10 (or a portion thereof) by FFF additive manufacturing, the sleeve 10 to be manufactured is thus built from bottom to top, layer by layer, filament by filament, until the entire sleeve 10 has been formed. According to this disclosure, each of the plurality of printheads 102 simultaneously extrudes filaments of a separate printing material PM, and these separate filaments are linked together to form a pattern of each layer of the sleeve 10.

[0113] Figure 5A A perspective view of the precursor tube 20 is depicted. The precursor tube 20 has been 3D printed according to an embodiment of the invention described below. Figure 5B It schematically represents the formation Figure 5A The printing system 104, as shown in the embodiment of the single-layer printing sleeve 10, is used in the process of depositing printing material PM into a section of the filament 60 during the process. Therefore, as... Figure 5B As schematically shown, when the construction plate 132 is oriented around the construction axis A B When rotating clockwise, Figure 5A The precursor tube 20 shown is integrally formed by a spiral filament 60 of vertically deposited thermoplastic printing material PM, without the need for a forming mandrel to define the contour of the inner surface 22 of the precursor tube, which defines, as... Figure 5AThe hollow internal space 26 of the precursor tube 20 is shown. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, every 360-degree rotation of the build plate 132 (described below) results in one filamentary loop of material being extruded from the nozzle 150 of the print head 102 of the printing system 104 of the 3D printing machine 100. Each filament 60 in each filamentary loop has a radial width “w” measured from the inner cylindrical surface 22 of the filamentary loop to the outer cylindrical surface 24 of the filamentary loop. Each filamentary loop has a thickness “d” measured in a direction perpendicular to both the upper surface and the opposite lower surface of the filamentary loop 60. According to an embodiment of the invention, each successive filamentary loop is exactly stacked on top of the immediately below filamentary loop. Therefore, the inner cylindrical surface 22 of the upper filamentary loop is uniformly aligned with the inner cylindrical surface 22 of the lower filamentary loop, and the outer cylindrical surface 24 of the upper filamentary loop is uniformly aligned with the outer cylindrical surface 24 of the lower filamentary loop.

[0114] once Figure 5A The outer surface 24 of the precursor tube 20 shown has been machined to the required dimensions for receiving the printed plate thereon, thus the 3D-printed precursor tube 20 will be converted into a 3D-printed sleeve 10 according to the invention. Because the precursor tube 20 is integrally formed by vertically depositing a helical filament 60 of thermoplastic material, and no forming mandrel is needed to define the contour of the inner surface 22 of the precursor tube 20, such an inner surface 22 is free from any anomalies that could lead to zipper defects. Therefore, a pressurized air supply can be used to mount the precursor tube 20 onto a construction mandrel (not shown) to undergo the process of machining the outer surface 24 of the precursor tube 20 to form the printed sleeve 10.

[0115] In some examples, the sleeve 10 described herein can be configured with more than one printhead 102. In such cases, each of the various printheads 102 is capable of printing using a printing material PM composed of different materials. Additionally or alternatively, each of the various printheads 102 can be configured to simultaneously print various shells, support structures, or other sections of the sleeve 10. For example, a first printing system 104 may have a first printhead 102 configured and dedicated to printing at least a portion of the inner shell 20, a second printing system 106 may have a second printhead 102 configured and dedicated to printing the intermediate shell 28, a third printing system 108 may have a third printhead 102 configured and dedicated to printing the outer shell 34, and so on. Additionally or alternatively, an additional printhead 102 (or the same printhead 102) may be configured and dedicated to generating any structure in a region radially located between any two print filaments. For example, the fourth printing system 110 may have a fourth printhead 102 configured and dedicated to generating a first support structure 40 operably positioned at least partially between the inner shell 20 and the intermediate shell 28. Similarly, the fifth printing system 112 may have a fifth printhead 102 configured and dedicated to generating a second support structure 48 operably positioned at least partially between the intermediate shell 28 and the outer shell 34.

[0116] Additional functions can be provided to the sleeve 10 by providing an additional printhead 102 and an additional printing system. For example, Figure 4C As shown, an alternative embodiment of the sleeve 710 can desirably include a supplementary compressible support structure 740, similar to the first support structure 40, and capable of being integrally printed with the outer shell 34 printed by the third printing system 108 via the sixth printhead 102. Due to the geometry and / or composition of the supplementary compressible support structure 740, it is configured to be slightly compressible. In this embodiment, a supplementary shell 720, similar to the inner shell 20, can be printed by the seventh printhead 102 of the seventh printing system. The seventh printing system prints the supplementary shell 720 simultaneously and integrally with the supplementary compressible support structure 740 printed by the sixth printing system. Figure 4C In this embodiment, schematically shown, the outer surface 724 of the supplementary shell 720 supports a layer of double-sided adhesive tape 750, on which the printed circuit board can adhere to the supplementary shell 720. The supplementary shell 720 can abut against the supplementary compressible support structure 740 in a manner similar to the slight radial deformation of the inner shell 20 against the first support structure 40. This embodiment of the sleeve 710 allows the use of an incompressible type of double-sided adhesive tape, which is cheaper than the compressible type of double-sided tape conventionally used to adhere the printed circuit board to the outer surface of the printing sleeve 10.

[0117] In some cases, each printhead 102 may be provided with a separate printing material PM, which is controlled and driven to the printhead 102. In various cases, the printing material PM discharged from each printhead 102 may be the same as and / or different from the printing material PM from the additional printhead 102, and at least one other printing material PM. In various examples, the printing material PM may be configured to and / or include natural or synthetic resins, metals, glass, carbon, inorganic materials, or combinations of such materials. Furthermore, in some examples, the printhead 102 may be configured to deposit different printing material PMs, for example, having at least one different characteristic in terms of composition, appearance, functional properties, etc. For example, these differences in characteristics may include one or more of the following: (1) different structural materials, sacrificial (removable) materials, etc.; (2) materials of different colors (e.g., different colorants), including materials with different opacities, transparency, translucency, fluorescence, etc.; (3) different additives, such as fillers, plasticizers, solvents, etc., including different types and amounts of such additives; (4) materials with different functional properties, such as conductive materials, semiconductor materials, insulating materials, etc., such as electroactive polymers, piezoelectric materials, etc.; (5) materials with different mechanical and physical properties, such as materials with different modulus, viscoelasticity, plasticity, magnetism, etc.; (6) materials with different properties. Materials with optical or spectral properties, including different refractive indices, fluorescence properties, etc., such as quantum dots; (7) different materials in which other two-dimensional (2D) materials are injected or combined, such as graphene nanosheets, carbon nanotubes and / or inorganic nanotubes, graphene-like materials such as molybdenum disulfide and tungsten disulfide sheets, boron nitride sheets, carbon black, carbon fibers, fullerenes, etc.; (8) materials with different thermal stability, chemical stability or solubility; (9) materials with different thermal conductivity; (10) materials with higher and lower atomic numbers (i.e. different Z numbers), higher or lower molecular weights, etc.; and / or (11) materials with different permeability to gases, ions, liquids, etc.

[0118] Further reference Figures 11 to 24C Machine 100 desirously includes a machine housing, generally indicated by reference numeral 114. Machine 100 desirously includes a base assembly 116, generally indicated by reference numeral 116. Machine 100 also desirously includes a printing assembly, generally indicated by reference numeral 118, and may include, for example, multiple separate printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112.

[0119] For example, such as Figure 11 and Figure 12As schematically shown, the base assembly 116 may include a base plate 120. In some cases, the base plate 120 may be operatively coupled to one or more feet 122 located on its lower portion and one or more supports 124 located on its upper portion. In various examples, the feet 122 may be adjustable to change the angle of the base assembly 116 relative to the supporting ground surface. However, it will be understood that the base assembly 116 may include any additional components and / or be constructed in any other manner without departing from the teachings provided herein.

[0120] In various examples, the printing assembly 118 may include a first plate 126 and a second plate 128, which are spaced apart from each other and operably connected to each other by one or more support members 130, for example... Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown in the figure, the first plate 126 may be positioned near the upper portion of the printing assembly 118, and the second plate 128 may be operatively coupled to one or more support members 124 of the base assembly 116. However, the first plate 126 and the second plate 128 may be positioned in any other location without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the printing assembly 118 may be without the first plate 126 and / or the second plate 128 without departing from the teachings provided herein.

[0121] Each printing system (e.g., 104, 106, 108, 110, 112) may include a printhead 102 from which printing material PM (e.g., molten thermoplastic polymer material) is discharged. The printing material PM exiting the printhead 102 is initially deposited in layers (or “filaments”) on the working surface of the build plate 132, where the build plate 132... Figure 11 The middle section is shown in a relatively elevated orientation relative to the base plate 120, and in Figure 12 The middle layer is shown in a relatively downward orientation relative to the base plate 120. Once deposited, the subsequent printed material PM leaving the printhead 102 solidifies to bond to the layers of material below (i.e., filaments). Thus, the continuous stacked layers (filaments) combine to form a monolithic body that forms a solid structure or final article of the desired shape, such as the printed sleeve 10.

[0122] Further reference Figures 13 to 15Each printing system (e.g., 104, 106, 108, 110, 112) may also include a support 134, a sliding assembly 136, and a radial actuator assembly 148. The support 134 is configured to operatively connect the printhead 102 to the sliding assembly 136. As illustrated, in some examples, the support 134 may include a first portion 140 extending through a groove 142 defined by a first plate 126 of the printing assembly 118. The support 134 may also include a second portion 144 positioned on the side of the first plate 126 opposite to the printhead 102. Additionally, the second portion 144 of the support 134 may be operatively connected to the sliding assembly 136. For example, the second portion 144 of the support 134 may be configured to slidably engage with a track 146 of the sliding assembly 136. In this configuration, the support member 134 can move along the track 146, which is perpendicular to the construction axis A of the machine 100. B In the direction of the build axis. Therefore, each printhead 102 can move along the corresponding sliding component 136 at least a distance from the build axis A. B The first position at the first radial distance and the distance from the construction axis A B Slide between the second position at the second radial distance.

[0123] In some cases, the corresponding radial actuator assembly 148 may be operably coupled to the second portion 144 of the support 134. Therefore, the radial actuator assembly 148 may be configured to move each corresponding support 134 between a corresponding first position and a second position. The radial actuator assembly 148 may include any feasible means for moving the sliding assembly 136 in any direction, such as a ball screw electric actuator, a linear electric actuator, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a triangular drive, a belt system, or any other feasible means.

[0124] Further reference Figure 15 In various examples, a nozzle 150 may be positioned at the lower end portion of the printhead 102. In some cases, the nozzle 150 may define a dispensing opening 152 for dispensing a flow of printing material PM, which is fed to the printhead 102 via a feed conduit 154. The printhead 102 is desiccated such that the printing material PM exits through the dispensing opening 152 of the nozzle 150 under the vertical direction of gravity. In operation, the temperature of the printing material PM exiting the dispensing opening 152 of the nozzle 150 can be controlled to a desired temperature. The temperature of the printing material PM can be varied within the printhead 102.

[0125] The printhead 102 is configured to allow printing material PM to exit the dispensing opening 152 of the nozzle 150 for deposition, thereby forming a "filament" of material to form a given layer that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation A of the printing sleeve 10. R When the construction plate 132 is positioned around the construction axis A B —This construction axis A B The axis of rotation A of the manufactured precursor 20 or sleeve 10 R Coincident—rotation, simultaneously along construction axis A B As the printing plate descends axially and below one or more of the printheads 102, the filaments printed by each printhead 102 are laid along a defined spiral path established by a predetermined three-dimensional model, which determines the axial and rotational movements of the build plate 132 and any radial movements of one or more of the printheads 102. Depending on the machine 100 configuration—which determines the number of printheads 102 activated to dispense printing material PM—a precursor tube 20 defining a single shell or a precursor body having multiple shells 20, 28, 34 and structures 40, 48 of the printing sleeve 10 can be formed along the central rotation axis A of the precursor body of the sleeve 10. R Elongation. In other words, the final product body produced from machine 100 will need to be mounted on the structural mandrel for subsequent finishing, such as machining the outer surface 38 of the outer layer 34 to the required roundness and finish before manufacturing the finished sleeve 10.

[0126] The projection of the distribution opening 152 is perpendicular to the construction axis A. B The shape of the dispensing opening 152, defined on a flat plane perpendicular to the vertical extrusion direction of the printing material PM, defines the dispensing area of ​​the dispensing opening 152. When the shape of the dispensing opening 152 is circular, the dispensing area is also circular. The printhead 102 and the nozzle 150 are configured to allow the nozzle 150 to be disassembled for cleaning and to allow the use of different nozzles 150 in the printhead 102. While it is desirable for the nozzle 150 to have a dispensing opening 152 with a circular dispensing area, other shapes for the opening 152 in the nozzle 150 may also be used, including shapes with curvature, such as ellipses and ellipsoids, and polygons, such as triangles, squares, rectangles, hexagons, etc. The size and / or shape of the dispensing area of ​​the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 may be desiccated to suit the type of printing material PM, the temperature of the printing material PM to be dispensed, the rotational speed of the build plate 132, the axial displacement rate of the build plate 132, the radial displacement rate of the printhead 102, and the desired size of the filaments of the printing material PM printed by the printhead 102 from the dispensing opening 152.

[0127] In some cases, the centralized heat source 156 can also be moved in conjunction with the printhead 102. In various examples, the centralized heat source 156 can be a laser source, a hot air source, a light source, and / or any other feasible heat source. In some cases, the intensity of the heat source 156 can be controlled based on various factors, including but not limited to the width and axial thickness of the filaments of the printing material PM, the composition of the printing material PM, and the geometry of the filaments of the printing material PM. Figure 15 As schematically illustrated, in several examples, a centralized heat source 156 may be operatively coupled to the printhead 102 and may include a housing 158 projecting laterally from the printhead 102, with an attachment 160 extending below the housing 158. In various cases, the heat provided by the heat source 156 can heat a region of the filament path of the printing sleeve 10 prior to the deposition of the printing material PM. Alternatively, the centralized heat source 156 may be mounted on a dedicated component, such as a dedicated robotic arm, to move according to a predetermined three-dimensional model and may rotate 360° independently of the printhead 102.

[0128] Further reference Figure 16 For example, each printing system (e.g., 104, 106, 108, 110, 112) may include a mounting plate 162 operably coupled to one or more of the supports 124, 130 of the housing 114 and / or to any other part of the machine 100. The mounting plate 162 allows for the mounting of various components of the printing system. For example, the material supply assembly 164 may include a supply bracket 166 operably coupled to the mounting plate 162. The supply bracket 166 may further support a feeder 168, such as a reel 170, and / or other supply systems that supply printing material PM (e.g., filament) to the printing systems (e.g., 104, 106, 108, 110, 112). In some cases, mounting plate 162 may further support guide 172, which is configured to guide printing material PM (e.g., filament) from spool 170 to printhead 102.

[0129] Additionally or alternatively, such as Figure 12 As schematically illustrated, each printing system (e.g., 104, 106, 108, 110, 112) may include a control system 174, which is preferably configured to control the operation of various components of the respective printing system, such as components of the printhead 102 and / or any other components. Additionally or alternatively, the control system 174 may be configured to control various components of more than one printing system. In such cases, the control system 174 may be operatively coupled and / or communicatively coupled to various components of the printing system.

[0130] Typically, each control system 174 may include any suitable processor-based device, such as a computing device or any suitable combination of computing devices. Therefore, in several embodiments, and as... Figure 16 As schematically illustrated, each control system 174 may include one or more processors 176 and associated memory 178 configured to perform various computer-implemented functions. As used herein, the term "processor" refers not only to integrated circuits included in a computer as known in the art, but also to controllers, microcontrollers, microcomputers, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and other programmable circuits. Additionally, the memory 178 of each control system 174 may typically include memory elements, including but not limited to computer-readable media (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computer-readable non-volatile media (e.g., flash memory), floppy disks, optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), magneto-optical discs (MOD), digital versatile discs (DVDs), and / or other suitable memory elements. Such memory 178 may typically be configured to store suitable computer-readable instructions that, when implemented by the processor 176, configure each control system 174 to perform various computer-implemented functions. Furthermore, each control system 174 may also include various other suitable components, such as communication circuitry or modules, one or more input / output channels, data / control buses, etc.

[0131] In some cases, each corresponding control system 174 can be operatively connected to the computing system 180, for example, Figure 12 The above is schematically illustrated. In such a case, the computing system 180 may be configured to provide instructions to one or more control systems of the control system 174 and / or control one or more components of one or more printing systems (e.g., 104, 106, 108, 110, 112). Like each control system 174, the computing system 180 may include any suitable processor-based device, such as a computing device or any suitable combination of computing devices. Thus, in several embodiments, the computing system 180 may include one or more processors 182 configured to perform various computer-implemented functions and associated memory 184.

[0132] Control software for machine 100 is preferably stored in memory 184, and can be loaded from memory 184 into one or more processors 182 and executed on one or more processors 182. A suitable example of control software is commercially available Rhino7 software with a Grasshopper graphical user interface modified with a plugin, available from McNeel Europe S.L. in Barcelona, ​​Spain. This plugin allows the control software to simultaneously control multiple print heads 102 of multiple printing systems (e.g., 104, 106, 108, 110, 112) to deposit printing material PM into a printing plane positioned above a build plate 132, which rotates and descends from the printing plane during the 3D printing of an object such as sleeve 10 disclosed herein. The control software is configured to... B During each complete 360° rotation, each control system 174, in coordination with each of the printing systems (e.g., 104, 106, 108, 110, 112), determines and controls the build plate 132 along the build axis A. B The rate of descent from the printing plane is used to generate each filament cycle of the printing material PM according to the configuration of the 3D model of the sleeve 10 being printed.

[0133] Additionally, the memory 184 of the computing system 180 may typically include memory elements, including but not limited to computer-readable media (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computer-readable non-volatile media (e.g., flash memory), floppy disks, optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), magneto-optical discs (MOD), digital versatile discs (DVDs), and / or other suitable memory elements. Such memory 184 may typically be configured to store suitable computer-readable instructions that, when implemented by the processor 182, configure the computing system 180 to perform various computer-implemented functions. Furthermore, the computing system 180 may also include various other suitable components, such as communication circuitry or modules, one or more input / output channels, data / control buses, etc. In some examples, one or more of the printing systems (e.g., 104, 106, 108, 110, 112) may not have a control system 174. In such cases, the computing system 180 may control components of the printing system.

[0134] It will be understood that although various control functions and / or actions will be described herein as being performed by control system 174 (and / or computing system 180), one or more of such control functions / actions (or portions thereof) may be performed by a separate computing system, or may be distributed across one or more control systems 174 (including, for example, control system 174) and / or one or more computing systems (including, for example, computing system 180 and / or separate computing systems). For example, in some embodiments, computing system 180 may be configured to acquire or generate a model for printing sleeve 10, and each control system 174 may be configured to operate a component of the corresponding printing system to form a portion of the model of printing sleeve 10.

[0135] like Figure 17 In addition to what is shown in the text, Figure 16 The material supply component 164 shown in the figure is either outside or replaced. Figure 16 The material supply assembly 164 illustrated in the figure, machine 100 may include any other type of feeder, which feeds in Figure 17 The general designation is indicated by reference numeral 168. For example, the feeder 168 can be configured as a hopper 188, which is configured to hold printing material PM (e.g., granular material, powder material, resin material, etc.) therein. In such an example, the printing material PM can be drawn from the hopper 188 via a cylindrical member 190 through a rotating helical conveyor 192 (e.g., a feed screw or auger) traversing the hopper 188. The screw is coupled to a stepper motor or a servo motor. The direction and speed of rotation of the screw are controlled by the motor, wherein rotation in one direction draws the granules from the hopper 188. As provided herein, a heating element can be disposed at the end of the cylindrical member 190 such that the granules melt at the end of the screw and pass through a nozzle 150 ( Figure 15 It is extruded onto the construction plate 132.

[0136] Further reference Figure 11 , Figure 12 , Figure 18 and Figure 19 The machine 100 may also include a build component 194, the build component 194 being configured to allow the build component 194 to move along the build axis A. B and / or around construction axis A B The moving part.

[0137] For example, in some cases, such as Figure 18 As shown, the building component 194 may include an anchor plate 196, which defines an attachment area 198. Guide 200 ( Figure 11 and Figure 12The axial actuator assembly 202 can be operably coupled to the first plate 126 and the anchor plate 196 of the printing assembly 118. The axial actuator assembly 202 can be operably coupled to the anchor plate 196 such that the anchor plate 196 is able to move relative to the first plate 126 along the build axis A when the axial actuator assembly 202 is activated. B The movement is guided by guide 200, and this activation is expected to be performed under the control of computing system 180. In various examples, axial actuator assembly 202 may include any feasible means for moving anchor plate 196 in any direction, such as ball screw electric actuator, linear electric actuator, pneumatic cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, triangular drive, belt system, or any other feasible means.

[0138] The construction plate 132 can be operably connected to the anchor plate 196, configured to face the first plate 126, and can move together with the anchor plate 196 along the construction axis A. B Movement. The build plate 132 is a structure defining a "build surface," which is shown as planar but may alternatively be curved (depending on the shape of the build plate 132). Since reliable adhesion between the first deposition of the printing material PM and the build surface defined by the upper surface of the build plate 132 is desired during the printing of the sleeve 10, it is desirable to apply a coating of adhesive to the build surface of the build plate 132 prior to the deposition of the first filament of the printing material PM. Because the printing material PM is primarily composed of polypropylene, a polypropylene-based adhesive is desired.

[0139] If required by other applications of machine 100, the build surface can be configured to be "non-stick," i.e., resistant to adhesion to cured printing material PM. The non-stick property can be manifested through a combination of variables such as the chemical properties of the build plate 132, its surface finish, and / or the applied coating. For example, a permanent or semi-permanent non-stick coating can be applied. A non-limiting example of a suitable coating is polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”). In some examples, all or part of the build surface can be combined with controlled roughness or surface texture (e.g., protrusions, pits, grooves, ridges, etc.) that have non-stick properties. Additionally or alternatively, the build plate 132 can be made wholly or partially of an oxygen-permeable material.

[0140] In some examples, the heating source 204 can be operatively coupled to the opposite second surface of the building plate 132. For example, as Figure 19As shown, the heating source 204 may define a cavity 206 in its central portion. The heating source 204 may be constructed as any type of component, such as a metal heating element (e.g., resistance wire, nichrome wire, etched foil), a ceramic and semiconductor heating element (e.g., molybdenum disilicide compound, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, PTC ceramic material, quartz halogen infrared heater, etc.), a thick film heater (e.g., a thick film heater printed on mica sheet), a liquid heating element (e.g., an electrode boiler utilizing an electric current flowing through water), a composite heating element (e.g., a tubular heating element, a tubular oven heating element, a tubular (sheathed) element typically comprising a fine coil of nichrome (NiCr) resistance heating alloy wire, a screen-printed cermet track deposited on a ceramic insulating metal (typically steel) plate, a radiant heating element, a gold dichroic film, a removable ceramic core element), a combined heating element system, and / or any other feasible heating element.

[0141] Further reference Figure 18 and Figure 19 A cover plate 208 can be positioned on the side of the heating source 204 opposite to the building plate 132. Similar to the building plate 132, the cover plate 208 can also be positioned along the building axis A together with the anchor plate 196. B move.

[0142] In some examples, a support plate 210 may be positioned on the side of the cover plate 208 opposite to the heating source 204. The support plate 210 may support one or more supports 212, which define an offset distance between the support plate 210 and the cover plate 208, for example... Figure 18 As shown in the figure. In some cases, the offset distance can allow heat generated by the heating source 204 to be directed through it, thereby allowing for more consistent temperature regulation of the building plate 132 by the heating source 204.

[0143] like Figure 18 and Figure 19 As illustrated in the figures, in several examples, the construction plate 132, the cover plate 208, and / or the support plate 210 are configured to be able to rotate around the construction axis A. B Uniform rotation and / or the ability to rotate relative to the anchor plate 196. In such a case, the rotary actuator assembly, generally indicated by reference numeral 214, can be operably coupled between the building plate 132 and the anchor plate 196 to cause relative rotation between the building plate 132 and the anchor plate 196. For example, as in... Figure 19As schematically shown, rotary actuator 216 can be operably coupled to anchor plate 196. Operation of rotary actuator 216 is desirously controlled by computing system 180, and rotary actuator 216 can include any feasible means for providing rotational motion when activated, such as a stepper motor, ball screw electric actuator, linear electric actuator, pneumatic cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, triangular drive, belt system, or any other feasible means. As shown, rotary actuator 216 can be operably coupled to transmission device 218. Transmission device 218 can include power transmission component 220, which may have a first set of gears configured to transmit rotational motion via belt 222 (and / or any other means). A second set of gears may be defined by power receiving component 224. Power receiving component 224 can be operably coupled to rotary support 226, which is configured to support building plate 132, cover plate 208, and / or support plate 210. Furthermore, the swivel support 226 can be configured to rotate together with the building plate 132, the cover plate 208, and / or the support plate 210. In such a case, one or more bearings can be disposed between the anchor plate 196 and the swivel support 226. For example, a first bearing 228 can be axially positioned below the anchor plate 196, and a second bearing 230 can be axially positioned above the anchor plate 196. However, it will be understood that a single bearing or other rotating mechanism may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0144] In some cases, rotary joint 232 may be positioned within building assembly 194 to provide power from anchor plate 196 to a rotating component (such as heating source 204) capable of rotating with building plate 132. Rotary joint 232 may include one or more conductive rings on a first power component 234 and one or more corresponding conductive brushes on a second power component 236. The conductive brushes may be configured to contact the conductive rings to allow power flow between the first power component 234 and the second power component 236. It will be understood that, without departing from the teachings provided herein, the conductive rings or conductive brushes may be coupled to the first power component 234, and the other of the conductive rings or conductive brushes may be coupled to the second power component 236. In some examples, power transmission may be provided by conventional metal-contact slip rings and / or by any other means, without departing from the teachings provided herein.

[0145] Further reference Figure 12 In some examples, the contact sensor 238 can be operatively coupled to the computing system 180. When Figure 18 and Figure 19 The anchor plate 196 shown in the figure has contact Figure 12When the contact sensor 238 is schematically shown, the computing system 180 receives a signal from the contact sensor 238 to trigger the machine 100 to stop the vertical descent of the anchor plate 196. In this way, the anchor plate 196 is positioned on the construction axis A. B Axial movement in the direction of the object is restricted to avoid damaging the operation of machine 100. Alternatively, contact sensor 238 may be a proximity sensor that can send signals to computing system 180 without actual physical contact.

[0146] In operation, one or more printheads of printhead 102 may be configured to deposit print material PM from the printhead. As print material PM is deposited, rotary actuator assembly 214 may rotate build plate 132 such that print material PM may be deposited in a defined pattern. For example, if the radial actuator remains stationary and rotary actuator assembly 214 completes a full rotation, print material PM may be formed into a fully closed geometry by print material PM. Additionally or alternatively, axial actuator assembly 202 may move build plate 132 away from printhead 102 to allow subsequent layers (filaments) of print material PM to be deposited sequentially. Therefore, the wider the print sleeve 10, the greater the travel length of axial actuator assembly 202, which in turn results in a greater travel length of build plate 132 relative to printhead 102.

[0147] Further reference Figure 11 , Figure 12 , Figure 20 and Figure 21 In some examples, the printing machine 100 may desirably include a temperature control system 240. Typically, when forming the printing sleeve 10, the temperature control system 240 may be configured to provide an airflow of a defined temperature through an interior extending along the length of the sleeve 10 to change the temperature of at least a portion of the sleeve 10. Therefore, the build plate 132, cover plate 208, support plate 210, and / or anchor plate 196 may each define an opening therethrough. Each of the respective openings may be at least partially axially aligned to form a passage through which air (and / or any other fluid) can pass. For example, as... Figure 19 As shown, the swivel support 226 may also define a cavity therethrough. In such a case, the cavity may be at least partially axially aligned with a corresponding opening in the building plate 132, the cover plate 208, and / or the support plate 210. Additionally, in some cases, the swivel support 226 may be positioned through an opening in the anchor plate 196. However, in other examples, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, the cavity of the swivel support 226 may be otherwise aligned with the opening in the anchor plate 196.

[0148] In some examples, the temperature control system 240 may include a first adapter 242 axially aligned with the rotary support 226. In various examples, the first adapter 242 may be operably coupled to the rotary support 226 via a first bearing 228. However, without departing from the teachings provided herein, the first adapter 242 and the rotary support 226 may be operably coupled and / or aligned and disengaged from each other in any other manner.

[0149] In some examples, the airflow system 244 may be operatively coupled to the first adapter 242 and configured to generate airflow within the temperature control system 240. As shown, for example in Figure 20 The airflow system, generally indicated by reference numeral 244, can be configured to include a first housing portion 246 operably coupled to a first adapter 242 and a second housing portion 248 separated from the first housing portion 246 by an airflow device 250. The airflow device 250 can be desiccated as a fan, blower, pump, and / or any other feasible device configured to generate airflow through the airflow device 250. Figure 11 and Figure 12 As schematically shown, the airflow system 244 is preferably coupled below the anchor plate 196, and thus runs together with the anchor plate 196 along the construction axis A. B The direction of axial movement. Therefore, the arrangement of the airflow system 244 does not impose any constraint on the axial length of the sleeve 10.

[0150] Further reference Figure 11 , Figure 12 , Figure 20 and Figure 21 The conduit 252 may be fluidly connected at its first end portion to the second housing portion 248, and at its second end portion to the conduit 254. In some cases, the conduit 252 may be resiliently deformable to accommodate the movement of the anchor plate 196 relative to the printhead 102. Thus, when the build plate 132 is moved from such... Figure 11 The first position shown in the diagram is moved to, as Figure 12 In the second position illustrated, the conduit 252 can fold itself in an accordion-like manner to reduce the length between the opposite end portions of the conduit 252. Subsequently, when the building plate 132 returns to the first position, the conduit 252 can extend between the opposite end portions. Due to its ability to elastically deform, the conduit 252 can contract and extend multiple times with minimal or no material degradation. Additionally or alternatively, the conduit 252 is capable of withstanding temperature variations. In various examples, the conduit 252 can be formed of polymeric materials, elastomeric materials, composite materials, and / or any other feasible materials.

[0151] For example Figure 11 and Figure 12 In the various examples shown, the temperature control system 240 may also include a temperature changing device 256, such as a cooler and / or a heat exchanger, operatively connected to a conduit 254 in fluid communication with a pipe 252. Typically, the temperature changing device 256 may be configured to change the temperature of an airflow within the temperature control system 240. The heat exchanger may be configured as a shell-and-tube heat exchanger, plate heat exchanger, plate-and-shell heat exchanger, adiabatic wheel heat exchanger, plate-fin heat exchanger, pillow plate heat exchanger, fluid heat exchanger, waste heat recovery unit, dynamic scraper heat exchanger, phase change heat exchanger, direct contact heat exchanger, microchannel heat exchanger, and / or any other type of heat exchanger. The cooler may be configured as an air-cooled cooler, a water-cooled cooler, an evaporative-condensing cooler, and / or any other type of cooler.

[0152] As illustrated, the second adapter 258 can be fluidly connected to the temperature changing device 256. The second adapter 258 can be configured to direct airflow from the temperature changing device 256 through the first plate 126 of the printing assembly 118 (…). Figure 14 The opening is limited to 260 ( Figure 14 In some examples, the second adapter 258 may be operatively coupled to the outlet device 262. For example, the outlet device 262 may be in the form of a diffuser. However, it will be understood that the outlet device 262 may be configured as a nozzle and / or any other feasible device without departing from the teachings provided herein.

[0153] In operation, the airflow device 250 can generate flow through the conduit 252. Airflow can be supplied from the conduit 252 to the duct 254 and through a temperature changing device 256 having a heater and / or cooler, which can respectively raise or lower the temperature of the airflow. The airflow can then be directed through the second adapter 258 and a possible outlet device 262 and into the internal hollow channel of the printing sleeve 10 (e.g., through the central hollow internal region 26 and the inner shell 20), and / or along any surface of the printing sleeve 10. The airflow can exit the printing sleeve 10 through a channel defined by the build plate 132, the cover plate 208, the support plate 210, and / or the swivel support 226. Furthermore, the airflow can be directed through the first adapter 242 ( Figure 20The airflow then returns through the airflow system 244. In some cases, the valve may be operatively coupled to the temperature control system 240, which is desirously configured and set to allow at least a portion of the airflow to exit from the conduit 252 and / or to allow additional ambient air to be introduced into the conduit 252. Thus, the temperature control system 240 may be configured to maintain the printing sleeve 10 and / or portions thereof at a defined temperature during the manufacture of the printing sleeve 10 by the machine 100.

[0154] Now refer to Figures 22A to 23B The diagram schematically represents a first printing system 104 as P1, a second printing system 106 as P2, a third printing system 108 as P3, a fourth printing system 110 as P4, and a fifth printing system 112 as P5. The printing sleeve 10 may be formed from one or more layers of printing material PM. For example, the printing sleeve 10 may include: a first printing system 104 (P1) having a first printhead 102 configured to print at least a portion of the inner shell 20; a second printing system 106 (P2) having a second printhead 102 configured to print an intermediate shell 28; and / or a third printing system 108 (P3) having a third printhead 102 configured to print an outer shell 34. In some cases, each of the inner shell 20, the intermediate shell 28, and the outer shell 34 may be configured as an annular cylindrical structure. In this case, each shell can be defined by a corresponding inner cylindrical surface that defines a distance A from the shell's axis of rotation. R The first constant radial measurement distance. Additionally, each shell can be defined by a corresponding outer cylindrical surface that defines a distance from the shell's axis of rotation A. R The second constant radial measurement distance. Furthermore, each shell can also be defined by a corresponding radial thickness, which is measured against a distance equal to the difference between the radius of the outer cylindrical surface and the radius of the inner cylindrical surface. As illustrated herein and, for example, in Figure 4 As shown, the radius of the inner cylindrical surface 30 of the intermediate shell 28 is larger than the radius of the outer cylindrical surface 24 of the inner shell 20. Furthermore, as illustrated herein, the radius of the inner cylindrical surface 36 of the outer shell 34 is larger than the radius of the outer cylindrical surface 32 of the intermediate shell 28.

[0155] Additionally or alternatively, the additional printhead 102 (or the same printhead 102) can be configured to generate any feature within the print sleeve 10. For example, such as Figures 22A to 23BAs schematically illustrated, the fourth printhead 102 of the fourth printing system 110 (P4) is preferably configured to generate a first support feature 40, which is operably positioned at least partially between the inner shell 20 and the intermediate shell 28, for example as... Figure 4 As shown in the diagram. Similarly, the fifth printhead 102 of the fifth printing system 112 (P5) is preferably configured to generate a second support structure 48, which is operably positioned at least partially between the intermediate shell 28 and the outer shell 34, for example as... Figure 4 As shown in the image.

[0156] As described herein, while one or more printheads of printhead 102 are depositing material, build plate 132 can rotate around build axis A. B Rotation. Additionally, any of the printheads in printhead 102 (e.g., in...) Figures 22A to 23B The printing system (any one of the print heads P1, P2, P3) can be positioned relative to the build axis A. B Remaining in a generally fixed shared position, thereby completing the arrangement around the construction axis A on the construction plate 132. B A circular cross-section is formed during the complete rotation of the build plate 132. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the printheads 102 may rotate along a path perpendicular to the build axis A during the rotation of the build plate 132. B The direction of movement forms various features. For example, ( Figures 22A to 23B The fourth printhead 102 of the printing system P4 can be controlled to be actuated toward and away from the build axis A. B The radial movement causes the first support structure 40 to be printed with a first non-circular cross-section. Similarly, ( Figures 22A to 23B The fifth printhead 102 of the printing system P5 can be controlled to be actuated toward and away from the build axis A. B The radial movement causes the second support structure 48 to be printed with a second non-circular cross-section.

[0157] Still refer to Figures 22A to 23B When deposition occurs—this deposition can occur on the building plate 132 around the building axis A B Simultaneously with rotation—as layers (or "threads") of the printing material PM are printed—the axial actuator assembly 202 can change the distance between the build plate 132 and the print head 102, allowing subsequent layers of the printing material PM to be deposited on top of previously deposited layers. The build plate 132 is positioned along the build axis A. B The vertical movement of the construction plate 132 around the construction axis A B The rotational motions combine to form a continuous spiral deposition of material extruded from each of the multiple printheads 102 during each complete rotation of the build plate 132. The build plate travels along the build axis A.B The vertical motion—this vertical motion is caused by Figure 22A and Figure 23A The dashed arrow 266 in the diagram illustrates that this process can continue until the desired axial length of the 3D-printed sleeve 10 is achieved. Because the sleeve 10 is formed by a filament-by-filament spiral synchronous deposition of printing material PM from each printhead 102, the machine 100 operates to avoid forming undesirable features within the sleeve 10. For example, it avoids “zipper” defects in the inner surface 22 of the inner shell 20. Furthermore, it also avoids various problems associated with the bonding of different types of material in different annular regions of a conventional sleeve, which can lead to reduced strength and functional degradation of the conventional sleeve.

[0158] In some examples, the printing sleeve 10 provided herein may include one or more additional layers thereon. For example, an outer cover layer, which may be in the form of a fiberglass layer or any other layer, may be positioned at least on the outer surface 38 of the housing 34. Furthermore, in various examples, such an outer cover layer may be manufactured, for example, by fine machining of the outer surface 38 of the housing 34. In such a case, the printing plate may be positioned on the machined outer surface 38.

[0159] refer to Figures 24A to 24C Based on the number of printheads 102, the operating printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 of the machine 100 described herein can simultaneously form various numbers of different shells. For example, as Figure 24A As shown, if machine 100 is configured to operate only the first printing system 104, machine 100 may form an inner housing 20 or a precursor to a single-layer printing sleeve 10. Figure 24B As shown, if machine 100 is configured to simultaneously operate a first printing system 104, a third printing system 108, and a fourth printing system 110 that are radially offset from each other, machine 100 can simultaneously form an inner shell 20, an outer shell 34, and a first support structure 40 as an integral structure. Figure 24C As shown, if the machine 100 is configured to simultaneously operate the first printing system 104, the second printing system 106, the third printing system 108, the fourth printing system 110, and the fifth printing system 112, which are radially offset from each other, the machine 100 can simultaneously form an inner shell 20, an intermediate shell 28, an outer shell 34, a first support structure 40, and a second support structure 48 as an integral structure. Therefore, when the number of printing components changes, the number of different segments of the printing sleeve 10 that can be simultaneously formed as an integral structure can also change accordingly.

[0160] Now refer to Figure 25The figure illustrates a flowchart of a method for additive manufacturing of printed sleeves according to various aspects of this subject matter, generally indicated by reference numeral 300. Typically, reference will be made herein to... Figures 2 to 10 The printing sleeve shown in the figure and Figures 11 to 24C The various machine components shown herein are used to describe method 300. However, it will be understood that the disclosure herein allows for the implementation of the disclosed method 300 using an additive manufacturing machine with any other suitable machine configuration and / or within a system with any other suitable system configuration. Additionally, although for illustrative and discussion purposes, Figure 25 The steps are described in a specific order, but the methods discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. Those skilled in the art using the disclosure provided herein will understand that various steps of the methods disclosed herein can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and / or modified in various ways without departing from the scope of this disclosure, in order to manufacture sleeves with different configurations according to this disclosure.

[0161] As illustrated, at (302), method 300 may include using a rotary actuator assembly 214 to rotate the build plate 132 about the build axis A. B Rotate.

[0162] At (304), method 300 may include depositing printing material PM using one or more printing components 118. As provided herein, each of the one or more printing components 118 may include a separate printing material PM, the separate printing material PM being controlled and driven to a corresponding printhead 102 for each of the one or more printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, 112. In various cases, the printing material PM supplied to each corresponding printhead 102 of each of the one or more printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 may be configured to and / or include natural or synthetic resins, metals, glass, carbon, inorganic materials, or combinations of such materials.

[0163] In some cases, as shown, at (306), depositing printing material PM using one or more printing components 118 may include depositing a first filament 60 of printing material PM from a first printing system 104 of one or more printing components 118 to print at least a portion of the inner shell 20, for example as... Figure 5B As illustrated herein and for example in Figure 5A As schematically shown, the inner shell 20 defines a channel 26 passing through it.

[0164] As shown, at (308), depositing printing material using one or more printing components may include depositing a second printing material from a second printing system 106 in one or more printing components to print at least a portion of the intermediate shell 28.

[0165] As shown, at (310), depositing printing material using one or more printing components may include depositing a third printing material from a third printing system 108 in one or more printing components to print at least a portion of the housing 34.

[0166] At (312), depositing printing material using one or more printing components may include depositing a fourth printing material from a fourth printing system 110 in one or more printing components to print at least a portion of a first support structure 40, the first support structure 40 being operably positioned at least partially between the inner shell 20 and the intermediate shell 28. At (314), the method may include moving the print head of the fourth printing system 110 between a first radial position and a second radial position as the build plate 132 rotates. In some examples, the first radial position is a distance from the build axis A. B The first distance, and the second radial position from the construction axis A B The second distance. In some examples, the second distance is greater than the first distance.

[0167] At (316), depositing printing material using one or more printing components may include depositing fifth printing material from a fifth printing system 112 in one or more printing components to print at least a portion of a second support structure 48, the second support structure 48 being operably positioned at least partially between the intermediate shell 28 and the outer shell 34. At (318), the method may include moving the print head of the fifth printing system 112 between a third radial position and a fourth radial position as the build plate rotates. The third radial position is a distance from the build axis A. B The third distance, and the fourth radial position distance from the construction axis A B Fourth distance. In some examples, the third distance is greater than the fourth distance.

[0168] In various examples, the print head of the fourth printing system 110 moves between a first radial position and a second radial position during a first time period, and the print head of the fifth printing system 112 moves between a third radial position and a fourth radial position during a second time period. In various examples, the first time period may differ from the second time period.

[0169] At (320), method 300 may include using axial actuator assembly 202 to translate the build plate relative to one or more printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 from a first axial position to a second axial position. In various examples, the second distance may be farther from one or more printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 than the first position. In some cases, anchor plate 196 moves linearly with build plate 132 while build plate 132 rotates relative to anchor plate 196.

[0170] At (322), method 300 may include using temperature control system 240 to direct airflow through channel 26 of inner shell 20. As provided herein, temperature control system 240 may be configured to change the temperature of airflow within the temperature control system before distributing airflow through inner shell 20.

[0171] At (324), method 300 may include using a heating element, for example, Figure 19 The heating source 204 depicted heats a portion of the building plate 132. In some cases, the heating element is configured to rotate with the building plate 132. In various examples, the heating element may rotate with the building plate and relative to the anchor plate 196. However, in other examples, the building plate 132 may rotate relative to the anchor plate 196. At (326), method 300 may include transmitting power to the building plate 132 via the rotary joint 232 during rotation of the building plate 132.

[0172] In various examples, method 300 can implement machine learning methods and algorithms that utilize one or more machine learning techniques, including, for example, decision tree learning, including methods such as random forests or conditional inference trees, neural networks, support vector machines, clustering, and Bayesian networks. These algorithms may include computer-executable code that can be retrieved via computing systems and / or via networks / clouds and can be used to evaluate and update the built model. In some cases, the machine learning engine may allow changes to the built model to be performed without human intervention.

[0173] It should be understood that the steps of any method disclosed herein can be executed by a computing system when loading and executing software code or instructions tangibly stored on a tangible computer-readable medium, such as a magnetic medium like a computer hard disk drive, an optical medium like an optical disk, a solid-state memory like flash memory, or other storage media known in the art. Therefore, any function performed by the computing system described herein, such as any method disclosed herein, can be implemented as software code or instructions tangibly stored on a tangible computer-readable medium. The computing system loads the software code or instructions via a direct interface to the computer-readable medium or via a wired and / or wireless network. When such software code or instructions are loaded and executed by a controller, the computing system can perform any function of the computing system described herein, including any step of the disclosed method.

[0174] As used herein, the term "software code" or "code" refers to any instruction or set of instructions that affects the operation of a computer or controller. These can exist in a computer-executable form, such as machine code of instructions and datasets directly executed by the computer's central processing unit or controller; they can be compiled into a human-understandable form executed by the computer's central processing unit or controller, such as source code; or they can be an intermediate form generated by a compiler, such as object code. As used herein, the term "software code" or "code" also includes any human-understandable computer instructions or set of instructions, such as scripts, which can be executed on the fly with the aid of an interpreter executed by the computer's central processing unit or controller.

[0175] Reference Figure 26 A flowchart is provided as an example of control logic 400, which can be executed by computing system 180 (or any other suitable computing system) for modeling the sleeve 10 to be printed by machine 100 and manufacturing the modeled sleeve 10 according to various aspects of this subject. Specifically, Figure 26The control logic 400 shown can use the Rhinoceros CAD graphics engine to model the sleeve 10 with different sections (20, 28, 34, 40, 48) to be printed by machine 100. The Rhinoceros CAD graphics engine is currently accessible via the URL rhino3d.com. However, any computer-aided design software package other than the Rhinoceros CAD graphics engine can be used to model the sleeve to be printed. The software running on computing system 180 for controlling machine 100 to print sleeve 10 uses the Grasshopper open-source platform, which is currently accessible via the URL grasshopper3d.com. This software also uses Grasshopper's adaptable and user-friendly interface. A digital file generated by the Rhinoceros CAD graphics engine describing the desired dimensions and configuration of the sleeve 10 to be printed by machine 100 is provided to computing system 180 at 402, and computing system 180 executes the software for controlling machine 100 to print sleeve 10. The software executing on the computing system 180 is configured with a slicing algorithm, which was developed on the Grasshopper open-source platform. The slicing algorithm at 404 is configured to slice the digital description of the sleeve 10 from the Rhinoceros CAD graphics engine in order to limit a single 360° rotation of the build plate 132 for each of the printing systems (104, 106, 108, 110, 112) responsible for printing the corresponding one of the segments (20, 28, 34, 40, 48) with different radial settings of the sleeve 10.

[0176] Each of the 3D printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 that prints one of the different sections (20, 28, 34, 40, and 48) of sleeve 10 is controlled by a modified version of the RepRap open-source firmware, which uses G-code computer language and is compatible with the DUET electronics control electronics used to control the 3D printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112. DUET electronics can be contacted in Brunswick, Victoria, Australia, and accessed at duet.com.au. The RepRap open-source firmware, which typically performs control based on 3-axis orthogonal (X, Y, Z) kinematics, is currently accessible at reprap.org. Software executing on computing system 180 converts the digital output of the slicing algorithm at 406 into G-code language that is recognized by the RepRap firmware, which controls the operation of the individual 3D printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112. Furthermore, the software executing on computing system 180 has modified the RepRap open-source firmware to perform the necessary transformations, thereby enabling simultaneous control of 3D printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 based on the desired cylindrical coordinate (r, θ, Z) kinematics of the generally cylindrical structure of sleeve 10. Thus, for example, each of the fourth printing system 110 printing the first support structure 40 and the fifth printing system 112 printing the second support structure 48 is software-controlled, thereby achieving a distance from the build axis A during every 360° rotation of the build plate 132. BThe endpoints at a specified radial distance are moved back and forth radially a specified number of times. The software's slicing algorithm provides slicing output in G-code at 406 for use in controlling each of the 3D printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 of the corresponding segments (20, 28, 34, 40, and 48) of the printing sleeve 10. Furthermore, based on the dimensions of the sleeve 10, the configuration of the different sections (20, 28, 34, 40, 48) of the sleeve 10, the composition of the printing material PM, and the distribution rate of the printing material PM from the distribution area of ​​each nozzle 102 in the printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, the software simultaneously controls multiple printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 at 408 and calculates the rotational speed of the build plate 132, the axial descent speed of the build plate 132, and the relative timing of the specific geometric trajectory that each of the printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 must follow to print the corresponding different parts of the sleeve 10. For example, regarding the specific geometric trajectory that each of the printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 must follow to print a corresponding different portion of the sleeve 10, the software at 408 will specify the number of times the fourth printing system 110 and the fifth printing system 112 must move back and forth between their endpoints. At 410, the software also accordingly controls the temperature of the build plate 132, the temperature of the extruders of the printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112, and the heated air circulating through the hollow internal region 26 defined by the inner surface 22 of the inner shell 20.

[0177] While virtually an infinite variety of sleeves 10 can be manufactured according to this disclosure when considering possible different diameters, lengths, and internal structures, a detailed description of a fairly typical example of a multilayer printed sleeve 10 manufactured according to an embodiment of the invention will now be described below. The overall dimensions of the printed sleeve 10 include a rotational axis A along the center of the sleeve 10. R It has a length of 1.290 meters, an outer diameter of 148 mm, and an unexpanded inner diameter of 108 mm. The sleeve 10 comprises five identifiable segments, which are distinct because each segment performs a different function, and thus contribute to a better understanding of the invention.

[0178] Each of the five functionally distinct sections can be identified by its unique configuration and size, and therefore, the machine 100 is configured to include five separate printheads 102. A first printhead 102 is disposed in the first printing system 104 and configured to print at least a portion of the inner housing 20, for example... Figures 2 to 10 , Figure 22B , Figure 23BAs shown in one or more figures in Figure 24E. The inner shell 20 functions to spring back and repeatedly expand and contract, which allows the sleeve 10 to be repeatedly mounted on and removed from the mandrel, whether the mandrel is a mandrel on a printing machine or a construction mandrel for further processing of the sleeve 10.

[0179] The second printhead 102 is disposed in the second printing system 106 and configured to print at least a portion of the intermediate shell 28, for example, in Figures 2 to 4 as well as Figures 8 to 10 As shown in one or more figures. The third printhead 102 is disposed in the third printing system 108 and configured as at least part of the print housing 34, for example, Figures 2 to 4 , Figure 22B and Figure 23B As shown in one or more figures. The housing 34 serves as a rigid member, maintaining diametrical integrity under the inertial forces generated by the rapidly rotating sleeve 10 when used on a printing machine. The housing 34 also provides an outer surface 38 suitable for machining to high-tolerance cylindrical dimensions.

[0180] A fourth printhead 102 is disposed in a fourth printing system 110, which is configured to generate a first support structure 40 connected to an inner housing 20, for example as... Figure 6 As schematically shown. In the printed sleeve 10, the first support structure 40 is operably positioned at least partially between the inner shell 20 and the intermediate shell 28, for example as... Figures 2 to 4 , Figure 22B , Figure 23B As shown in one or more figures of Figure 24E. The first support structure 40 acts as a light spring between the inner shell 20 and the intermediate shell 28, and absorbs the expansion and contraction of the inner shell 20 relative to the intermediate shell 28, which acts as a stop for the spring-like action of the first support structure 40.

[0181] The fifth printhead 102 is disposed in the fifth printing system 112, which is configured to generate the second support structure 48, for example in Figure 7 As schematically shown. In the printed sleeve 10, the second support structure 48 is operably positioned at least partially between the intermediate shell 28 and the outer shell 34, for example as... Figures 2 to 4 , Figure 22B , Figure 23BAs shown in one or more figures in Figure 24E. The second support structure 48 serves as a lightweight rigid support pad between the intermediate shell 28 and the outer shell 34 and provides additional rigidity to ensure that, when used on a printing machine, the cylindrical dimensions of the outer surface 38 of the outer shell 34 do not deviate undesirably from their original shape under the inertial force generated by the rapidly rotating sleeve 10.

[0182] In this example, the machine 100 for integrally generating the sleeve 10, as described in detail above, has the following configuration. The build plate 132 has a diameter of 450 mm and rotates around the build axis A in eight (8) seconds. B — Construct axis A B With the central axis A of sleeve 10 R Coincidence – A rotation at a rate of 360° is completed during which the construction plate 132 is along the central axis A of the sleeve 10. R Axial movement of 0.3 mm. For example, as Figure 5B As schematically shown, the 0.3 mm distance that the build plate 132 descends during each 360° rotation becomes the axial thickness “d” of each filament 60 printed in a single complete rotation of the build plate 132.

[0183] The nozzle 150 in the print head 102 of the first printing system 104 has an opening 152 defining a circular dispensing area with a diameter of 0.7 mm. As the build plate 132 rotates and descends axially, the first printing system 104 holds the first print head 102 in a fixed orientation such that, as the machine 100 prints each filament cycle of the inner shell 20 of the sleeve 10, the center of the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 of the first print head 102 remains at a distance A from the central axis of the sleeve 10. R At a radial distance of 54.45 mm. (For example...) Figure 5B As schematically shown, the width “w” of the filament 60 printed by the first printhead 104 becomes the radial thickness of the inner shell 20 of 0.7 mm.

[0184] The nozzle 150 in the print head 102 of the second printing system 106 has an opening 152 defining a circular distribution area with a diameter of 1.0 mm. As the build plate 132 rotates and descends axially, the second printing system 106 holds the second print head 102 in a fixed orientation such that the center of the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 of the second print head 102 remains at a distance A from the central axis of the sleeve 10 as the machine 100 prints each filament cycle of the intermediate shell 28 of the sleeve 10. R At a radial distance of 59.1 mm.

[0185] The nozzle 150 in the print head 102 of the third printing system 108 has an opening 152 defining a circular distribution area with a diameter of 1.2 mm. As the build plate 132 rotates and descends axially, the third printing system 108 holds the second print head 102 in a fixed orientation such that the center of the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 of the third print head 102 remains at a distance A from the central axis of the sleeve 10 as the machine 100 prints each filament cycle of the housing 34 of the sleeve 10. R At a radial distance of 74.7 mm.

[0186] The nozzle 150 in the print head 102 of the fourth printing system 110 has an opening 152 defining a circular dispensing area with a diameter of 0.7 mm. As the build plate 132 rotates and descends axially, the fourth printing system 110 moves the fourth print head 102 radially to print... Figure 6 Each filament loop of the first support structure 40 is schematically shown. The center of the opening 152 in the nozzle 150 of the printhead 102 is the endpoint of the radial distance that the fourth printing system 110 moves therebetween—such as from the central axis A of the sleeve 10. R The measured values ​​are between 55.25 mm and 58 mm. This occurs when machine 100 prints each thread loop of the first support structure 40 of sleeve 10, for example... Figure 22B As schematically shown, the fourth printing system 110 centers the opening 152 in the nozzle 150 of the print head 102 of the fourth printing system 110 at a distance A from the central axis of the sleeve 10. R Move between 55.25 mm and 58 mm ten (10) times.

[0187] The nozzle 150 in the print head 102 of the fifth printing system 112 has an opening 152 defining a circular dispensing area with a diameter of 1.2 mm. As the build plate 132 rotates and descends axially, the fifth printing system 112 moves the fourth print head 102 radially to print... Figure 7 Each filament loop of the second support structure 48 is schematically shown. The center of the opening 152 in the nozzle 150 of the printhead 102 is the endpoint of the radial distance that the fifth printing system 112 moves therebetween—such as from the central axis A of the sleeve 10. R The measured values ​​are between 60.2 mm and 73.4 mm. This occurs when machine 100 prints each thread loop of the second support structure 48 of sleeve 10, for example... Figure 22B As shown, the fifth printing system 112 centers the opening 152 in the nozzle 150 of the print head 102 of the fifth printing system 112 at a distance A from the central axis of the sleeve 10. R Move it between 60.2 mm and 73.4 mm twelve (12) times.

[0188] Each of printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 is supplied with the same chemically resistant thermoplastic material PM. The thermoplastic material PM is a polyolefin, specifically 75% by weight polypropylene, 20% by weight carbon fiber, and 5% by weight conductive filler, and is available from suppliers such as Lehmann & Voss & Co. KG in Hamburg, Germany. The conductive filler is preferably carbon black, but carbon nanotubes are also possible. The thermoplastic material PM has an electrical conductivity of approximately 1 Mohm and a density of 1.02 g / cm³. 3 It has a Young's modulus of 6.5 GPa, a tensile stress of 60 MPa, and an impact resistance of 39 KJ / m. 2 The thermoplastic material PM is distributed in an environment with a temperature between 20°C and 40°C, specifically 27°C for this example, and a relative humidity between 30% and 60%, specifically 40% for this example.

[0189] Thermoplastic material PM is dispensed by the first printing system 104 from the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 of the first printhead 102 at a temperature of 255°C. The thermoplastic material PM is dispensed by the first printing system 104 from the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 of the first printhead 102 at a rate of 42.72 mm per second.

[0190] Thermoplastic material PM is dispensed by the second printing system 106 from the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 of the second printhead 102 at a temperature of 255°C. The thermoplastic material PM is dispensed by the second printing system 106 from the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 of the second printhead 102 at a rate of 46.0375 mm per second.

[0191] Thermoplastic material PM is dispensed by the third printing system 108 from the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 of the third printhead 102 at a temperature of 255°C. Thermoplastic material PM is dispensed by the third printing system 106 from the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 of the third printhead 102 at a rate of 46.42 mm per second.

[0192] Thermoplastic material PM is dispensed by the fourth printing system 110 from the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 of the fourth printhead 102 at a temperature of 255°C. The thermoplastic material PM is dispensed by the fourth printing system 110 from the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 of the fourth printhead 102 at a rate of 60 mm per second.

[0193] Thermoplastic material PM is dispensed by the fifth printing system 110 from the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 of the fifth printhead 102 at a temperature of 255°C. The thermoplastic material PM is dispensed by the fifth printing system 110 from the opening 152 of the nozzle 150 of the fifth printhead 102 at a rate of 57.88 mm per second.

[0194] When the sleeve 10 is printed, the temperature control system 240 provides a constant airflow through the center of the sleeve 10 at a temperature of 50°C ± 5°C. The machine-made structure will be mounted on the construction mandrel for inspection and may undergo some fine machining before being considered as the finished sleeve 10 to achieve the desired tolerances on the outer surface 38 of the sleeve 10. And in this sense, the machine-made structure can be considered a precursor to the finished sleeve 10.

[0195] While the above example relates to flexographic printing sleeve 10, those skilled in the art will understand that bridging sleeves can be similarly obtained according to this disclosure. Bridging sleeves have two basic types, distinguishable by the manner in which pressurized air is supplied to the outer surface of the bridging sleeve—on which the printing sleeve 10 is mounted. One type of bridging sleeve disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Patent No. 5,819,657 to Rossini—which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes—relies on an axially supplied pressurized air supply to expand the inner shell of the printing sleeve during mounting of the printing sleeve to the outer surface of the axial air bridging sleeve. In the axial air bridging sleeve, pressurized air is supplied from one end of the axial air bridging sleeve and travels axially along an internal channel before exiting through a hole radially through the outer shell of the axial air bridging sleeve. Plant air provides the source of pressurized air and is selectively connected to one end of the axial air bridging sleeve via a pressure hose.

[0196] The main difference between 3D printed sleeve 10 and axial air 3D bridging sleeve 510 is that Figure 3A and Figure 4A The schematic diagram illustrates this. As shown therein, an axially air-supply type 3D bridging sleeve 510 is formed by 3D printing at least one axially extending air channel 512 on the inner surface 36 of the housing 34 of the 3D bridging sleeve 510. The axial air channel 512 defines a hollow interior that provides a continuous air passage 514 extending axially along the length of the sleeve 510. The outline of a portion of the air channel 512 is shown in... Figure 3A The image is shown as a parallel dashed line because this part of the air passage 512 is... Figure 3A The outline of a portion of the air passage 514 is hidden from the observer in the view shown. Figure 3A The part of the air passage 514 is shown in parallel dashed lines because this part is in... Figure 3AThe view shown will be hidden from the observer. Printing machine 100 is intended to use a sixth printing system configured similarly to each of the other five printing systems 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112 for printing features that constitute the axial air passage 512. Although the shape defining the structure of the axial air passage 512 is semi-cylindrical in the illustrated embodiment, the shape could also be more of a semi-triangular shape or, less strictly, a semi-cylindrical arcuate shape.

[0197] like Figure 3A and Figure 4A As schematically shown, pressurized air is carried to the outer surface 38 of the axial air bridging sleeve 510 via one or more air vents 516 drilled during post-printing processing. The contours of the air vents 516 are shown in... Figure 3A The dashed line indicates that the air exhaust port 516 is located in... Figure 3A The view shown will be hidden from the observer. The diameter of each air exhaust orifice 516 is expected to be approximately 3 mm. (As shown...) Figure 4A As schematically shown, each air exhaust port 516 extends radially through the housing 34 of the axial air bridging sleeve 510. Figure 2A , Figure 3A and Figure 4A In one embodiment schematically illustrated, during post-printing processing of the axial air bridging sleeve 510, a shallow air distribution groove 518 is circumferentially defined around the outer surface 38 of the housing 34 of the axial air bridging sleeve 510. The contour of the air distribution groove 518 is... Figure 3A The center is indicated by parallel dashed lines because the air distribution groove 518 is located in... Figure 3A The view shown will be hidden from the observer. For example... Figure 4A As shown, the air exhaust port 51 is aligned to connect with the air distribution groove 518 and to connect with the axial air passage 512. Figure 4A The schematic view shown is through the center of the air distribution recess 518 and along the axis of rotation A. R The observation is made, but any crosshairs typically depicted in cross-sectional views are omitted. The circumferential groove 518 is preferably located approximately 15 mm from one free edge of the axial air bridging sleeve 510, and preferably on the axis of rotation A of the axial air bridging sleeve 510. R The dimension in the axial direction is 5 mm to 6 mm. The depth of the circumferential groove 518 is preferably equal to the axis of rotation A of the axial air bridging sleeve 510. R The value is approximately 0.3 mm, measured in the radial direction.

[0198] Depending on the length and diameter of the axial air bridging sleeve 510, additional features such as additional axial air channels 512 can be symmetrically printed around the inner surface 36 of the housing 34. Air exhaust orifices 516 are aligned to connect with each additional axial air channel 512. Furthermore, additional circumferential grooves 518 can be provided in the outer surface 38 of the housing 34, and these additional circumferential grooves 518 are located on the axis of rotation A of the axial air bridging sleeve 510. R The additional circumferential grooves 518 are spaced apart from the first circumferential groove 518 in the direction of the additional circumferential grooves 518. Each additional circumferential groove in the additional circumferential grooves 518 is similarly connected to communicate with an air vent 516 drilled during post-printing processing. In another embodiment, each opposite end of each axial air passage 512 of the axial air bridging sleeve 510 can be connected during post-printing processing to a corresponding end-fixing device, which is itself 3D printed and, for example, configured to correspond with the aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 5,819,657 granted to Rossini. Figure 2 The end flange of the bridging sleeve shown in the diagram works in a similar manner.

[0199] The second type of bridging sleeve is the radial air bridging sleeve 610, which relies on the hole 16 from the spindle 14 of the printing machine ( Figure 1 The radial supply of pressurized air. For example... Figure 3B and Figure 4B As schematically shown, a shallow groove 612 is defined circumferentially in the inner surface 22 of the core 20, defining a cylindrical opening 26 through the radial air bridging sleeve 610. The shallow groove 612 is preferably centered and aligned with the mandrel 14 ( Figure 1 The holes on the radial air bridge sleeve 610 correspond to each other, and are preferably aligned with the axis of rotation A of the radial air bridge sleeve 610. R The distance from the free edge of the sleeve 610 in the direction is 5 mm to 6 mm. Figure 4B The schematic view shown is taken through the center of the shallow groove 612 and along the axis of rotation A. R A small portion of sleeve 610 is observed. The depth of the shallow groove 612 is expected to be relative to the axis of rotation A of the radial air-bridging sleeve 610. R Approximately 0.3 mm measured radially. When the radial air bridge sleeve 610 is installed on the mandrel 14 of the printing machine ( Figure 1 When the mandrel 14 is in place, the hole 16 through which pressurized air is discharged from the mandrel 14 is aligned with the shallow groove 612 to distribute pressurized air within the shallow groove 612.

[0200] Figure 4BA small section of the radially bridging sleeve 610 is schematically depicted, having undergone post-printing processing by drilling a hole 614 radially through the sleeve 610. The inner surface 22 is provided with a countersunk portion 616 surrounding the hole 614. A generally cylindrical plug 618 is inserted into the radial hole 614, and the annular disc-shaped side flange 620 of the plug 618 is glued to the countersunk portion 616 of the hole 614. The plug 618 defines an air passage 622 through its center. The diameter of the air passage 622 is preferably 2 mm, and the cross-sectional diameter of the plug 618 is preferably 6 mm. The axial length of the plug 618 will depend on the radial thickness of the sleeve 610. The hole 614 and its countersunk portion 616, combined with the air passage 622 through the plug 618, define a space for pressurized air to be drawn from the mandrel 14 (…). Figure 4B An unobstructed path (not shown) is provided from the interior to the outer surface 38 of the sleeve 610. Desiredly, similar holes 614 and plugs 618 are arranged to pass through the circumference of the radially bridging sleeve 610 and are symmetrically arranged around the circumference to form a plurality of similar radial air passages 622. Each of the plurality of similar radial air passages 622 allows a shallow groove 612 to pass through the radial air bridging sleeve 610 and connect to the outer surface 38 of the housing 34 of the radial air bridging sleeve 610. At least six such radial air passages 622 are typical, and this number can be increased to eight for radially bridging sleeves 610 with correspondingly larger diameter housings 34. In this way, pressurized air exiting the holes 16 in the mandrel 14 fills the aligned shallow grooves 612 and is distributed to the plurality of radial air passages 622, thereby reaching the outer surface 38 of the radially bridging sleeve 610. Therefore, pressurized air exits the radial air passage 622 in the outer surface 38 of the radial air bridge sleeve 610 to allow the printing sleeve 10 to be installed in a manner substantially the same as in which the printing sleeve 10 is air-mounted to the mandrel 14 of the printing machine. Since these drilled plugs 618 are arranged symmetrically around the circumference of the radial bridging sleeve 610 and have the same shape and size, they do not create an imbalance when the bridging sleeve 610 rotates on the mandrel 14 of the printing machine or on the construction mandrel during post-printing processing.

[0201] In the post-production processing of the radial air bridging sleeve 610 printed by machine 100, each of the drilled plugs 618 can be radially drilled to provide a continuous radial air passage 622 from the inner surface 22 of the inner shell 20 through the outer surface 38 of the outer shell 34, such as Figure 4B The radial air bridging sleeve 610 is schematically shown in a view of an exploded section. In this way, pressurized air can be provided, which flows radially through radial air passage 622, for use in relation to how the printing sleeve 10 will be mounted on, for example, the printing mandrel 14 of a flexographic printing machine. Figure 1 The printed sleeve 10 is mounted onto the bridging sleeve 610 in a similar manner to that used on the 610.

[0202] Because each of the sleeves 10, 510, and 610 described in the above example is made entirely of thermoplastic material, when the sleeves 10, 510, and 610 have reached the end of their service life, they can then be crushed and ground into granular thermoplastic material, which can be remelted and reused to create another 3D sleeve or some other 3D printed object.

[0203] This written specification discloses the technology using examples including the best mode, and also enables any person skilled in the art to practice the technology, including making and using any device or system and performing any combined method. The patent scope of the technology is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that would occur to a person skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to fall within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that are not different from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that are not substantially different from the literal language of the claims. List of reference numerals

Claims

1. A sleeve for mounting on a mandrel (14) of a commercial printing machine, the mandrel being rotatably driven about an axis of rotation of the mandrel during operation of the commercial printing machine, the mandrel defining a fixed length and an outer surface relative to the axis of rotation of the mandrel, the sleeve (10) comprising: The core defines a hollow shell (20) having a length that extends along the central axis of rotation of the sleeve (10); The core defines an inner surface (22), and the inner surface (22) defines a hollow interior (26) extending along the length of the hollow shell (20). The core defines an outer surface (28), which is spaced from the inner surface (22) by a thickness distance, wherein the thickness distance is relative to the central rotation axis (A) of the sleeve. R ) Measured along the radial direction; The thickness distance of the core (20) is configured such that pressurized air is selectively introduced and removed between the outer surface of the mandrel (14) and the inner surface (22) of the core in a manner sufficient to allow the sleeve (10) to be selectively mounted onto the mandrel (14), to tightly clamp the mandrel so that the core (20) cannot rotate relative to the mandrel, and to remove it from the mandrel, thereby enabling the diameter of the core to expand and contract elastically. Wherein, the inner surface (22) of the core (20) is continuous and has no radial deviation along the inner surface (22) of the core (20) at least equal to the fixed length of the mandrel; and The core (20) is formed of a thermoplastic material.

2. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein, The thermoplastic material has a uniform density.

3. The sleeve according to claim 2, wherein, The thermoplastic material itself is suitable for being ground into granular material, and thus the sleeve can be recycled.

4. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein, The thermoplastic material includes conductive fillers.

5. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein, The outer surface (28) of the core (20) defines a cylindrical surface, and the inner surface (22) of the core defines a cylindrical surface concentric with the cylindrical surface of the outer surface of the core.

6. The sleeve according to claim 1, wherein, The outer surface of the core is configured to receive a printing plate that carries image markers.

7. The sleeve according to claim 1, further comprising: Intermediate shell (28), the intermediate shell (28) being rotated along the central axis of rotation (A) of the sleeve (10). R The intermediate shell extends and defines an inner surface (30), the inner surface (30) of which defines an internal space between the intermediate shell (28) and the core (30); as well as A first support structure (40) extends along the central axis of rotation of the sleeve (10) and is disposed in the internal space between the intermediate shell (28) and the core (20), and is configured to spring back expand and contract between the core and the intermediate shell during corresponding installation and removal of the sleeve on the mandrel (14) of the commercial printing machine.

8. The sleeve according to claim 7, wherein, The first support structure (40) is defined by a spiral extending between the intermediate shell (28) and the core (20).

9. The sleeve according to claim 7, wherein, The core (20), the first support structure (40), and the intermediate shell (28) are formed simultaneously and integrally in a spiral manner by 3D printing.

10. The sleeve according to claim 7, wherein, The first support structure (40) and the core (20) are formed of the same thermoplastic material.

11. The sleeve according to claim 8, wherein, The core (20), the first support structure (40), and the intermediate shell (28) are formed of the same thermoplastic material.

12. The sleeve according to claim 7, further comprising: The outer casing (34), the outer casing (34) is rotated along the central axis (A) of the sleeve (10). R The outer shell extends and defines an inner surface (36), the inner surface (36) of which defines a second internal space between the outer shell (34) and the intermediate shell (28); as well as The second support structure (48) is located along the central rotation axis (A) of the sleeve. R The sleeve (10) extends and is disposed in the second internal space between the intermediate shell (28) and the outer shell (34), and is configured to remain rigid and incompressible between the outer shell and the intermediate shell (28) during the mounting of the sleeve (10) on the mandrel (14) of the commercial printing machine.

13. The sleeve according to claim 12, wherein, The second support structure (48) is defined by a helical member extending between the intermediate shell (28) and the outer shell (34).

14. The sleeve according to claim 12, wherein, The core (20), the first support structure (40), the intermediate shell (28), the second support structure (48), and the outer shell (34) are formed simultaneously and integrally in a spiral manner by 3D printing.

15. The sleeve according to claim 12, wherein, The core (20), the first support structure (40), the intermediate shell (28), the second support structure (48), and the outer shell (34) are formed of the same thermoplastic material.

16. The sleeve according to claim 12, wherein, The inner surface (22) of the core (20) defines a cylindrical surface, and the outer surface (38) of the outer shell (34) defines a cylindrical surface concentric with the cylindrical surface of the inner surface (22) of the core (20).

17. The sleeve according to claim 12, further comprising an air passage (516) formed as part of the inner surface of the housing (34) and extending axially along the inner surface of the housing, wherein, The air passage defines an air path, and wherein the air passage is configured to confine pressurized air within the air path.

18. The sleeve according to claim 12, further comprising a plurality of drilled plugs (618), wherein, Each of the plurality of drill plugs is configured to extend radially relative to the central axis of rotation of the sleeve, wherein each of the plurality of drill plugs is arranged at symmetrical and equal circumferential intervals relative to each adjacent drill plug, wherein each of the plurality of drill plugs is configured to define a radial passage connecting the core (20) to the outer surface (38) of the housing (34), and wherein each radial passage is configured to confine pressurized air within an air passage.

19. A machine for manufacturing printing sleeves (10), said printing sleeves (10) being suitable for one or more of the flexible packaging industry, offset printing industry, publication printing industry, decorative printing industry, and corrugated printing industry, said machine (100) comprising: Machine casing (114); One or more printing components (118), said one or more printing components (118) being operably coupled to said machine housing (114), each of said one or more printing components being configured to deposit printing material; A construction plate (132) is supported by the machine housing; Rotary actuator assembly (204), the rotary actuator assembly (204) being configured to cause the build plate (132) to rotate about the build axis (A) B Rotation; and Axial actuator assembly (202), the axial actuator assembly (202) being configured along the construction axis (A) B The position of the building plate (132) is changed along the axial direction, wherein the rotary actuator assembly (214) and the axial actuator assembly (202) are configured to be activated simultaneously.

20. The machine according to claim 19, further comprising: Anchor plate (196), said anchor plate (196) being configured to move together with said building plate (194) along said building axis (A) B Move along the axial direction, The building plate rotates relative to the anchor plate.

21. The machine according to claim 20, further comprising: A transmission device (218) is operably connected to the rotary actuator assembly (202) and configured to cause rotation of the building plate relative to the anchor plate.

22. The machine according to claim 21, further comprising: A heating element is positioned between the building plate and the anchor plate.

23. The machine according to claim 19, wherein, The one or more printing components (118) include: a first printing system (104) having a first print head for printing at least a portion of the inner shell (20); a second printing system (106) having a second head configured to print an intermediate shell (28); and a third printing system (108) having a third head configured to print an outer shell (34).

24. The machine according to claim 23, further comprising: A fourth printing system (110) having a fourth printhead configured to generate a first support structure (40) operably positioned at least partially between the inner shell (20) and the intermediate shell (28).

25. The machine according to claim 24, further comprising: A fifth printing system (112) having a fifth printhead configured to generate a second support structure (48) operably positioned at least partially between the intermediate shell (28) and the outer shell (34).

26. The machine according to claim 25, wherein, The first printing system (104) further includes a first radial actuator assembly (148), the second printing system (106) further includes a second radial actuator assembly, the third printing system (108) further includes a third radial actuator assembly, the fourth printing system (110) further includes a fourth radial actuator assembly, and the fifth printing system (112) further includes a fifth radial actuator assembly.

27. The machine according to claim 26, wherein, The first radial actuator assembly (148), the second radial actuator assembly, and the third radial actuator assembly are configured to be deactivated when the rotary actuator assembly is activated, and The fourth radial actuator assembly and the fifth radial actuator assembly are configured to move in the radial direction when the rotary actuator assembly is activated.

28. The machine according to claim 25, wherein, The first printing system (104) includes a first support (134) operably connected to the first printhead (102), the second printing system (106) includes a second support operably connected to the second printhead, the third printing system (108) includes a third support operably connected to the third printhead, the fourth printing system (110) includes a fourth support operably connected to the fourth printhead, and the fifth printing system (112) includes a fifth support operably connected to the fifth printhead.

29. The machine according to claim 28, wherein, The machine housing includes a first plate (126), wherein a first support (134) is positioned through a first opening (142) defined by the first plate, a second support is positioned through a second opening defined by the first plate, a third support is positioned through a third opening defined by the first plate, a fourth support is positioned through a fourth opening defined by the first plate, and a fifth support is positioned through a fifth opening defined by the first plate.

30. The machine according to claim 29, wherein, The first support member (134) is slidable along the first sliding assembly (136), which is located on the side of the first plate (126) opposite to the first printhead (104). The second support member is slidable along the second sliding assembly, which is located on the side of the first plate (126) opposite to the second printhead (106). The third support member is slidable along the third sliding assembly, which is located on the side of the first plate opposite to the third printhead (108). The fourth support member is slidable along the fourth sliding assembly, which is located on the side of the first plate opposite to the fourth printhead (110). The fifth support member is slidable along the fifth sliding assembly, which is located on the side of the first plate opposite to the fifth printhead (112).

31. The machine according to claim 19, further comprising: A temperature control system (240) is configured to guide airflow between the one or more printing components (118) and the build plate (132).

32. The machine according to claim 31, wherein, The temperature control system further includes: Airflow device (244), the airflow device (244) being configured to generate airflow within the temperature control system; and Temperature changing device (256) configured to change the temperature of airflow within the temperature control system (240).

33. The machine according to claim 19, further comprising: A corresponding feeder, the feeder being configured to supply printing material to each of the one or more printing components of the printing system.

34. A method for additive manufacturing of a printed sleeve, the printed sleeve being suitable for one or more of the flexible packaging industry, offset printing industry, publication printing industry, decorative printing industry, and corrugated printing industry, the method comprising: Using a rotary actuator assembly, the build plate (132) is rotated around the build axis (A). B Rotation; Deposit printing material using one or more printing components (118); as well as The axial actuator assembly (202) is used to translate the build plate (132) relative to the one or more printing components from a first axial position to a second axial position, the second position being farther away from the one or more printing components than the first position.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein, Depositing printing material using one or more printing components (118) also includes: A first printing material is deposited from the first printing system (104) of the one or more printing components to print at least a portion of the inner shell (20).

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein, Depositing printing material using one or more printing components also includes: A second printing material is deposited from the second printing system (106) of the one or more printing components to print at least a portion of the intermediate shell (28).

37. The method of claim 36, wherein, Depositing printing material using one or more printing components also includes: A third printing material is deposited from the third printing system (108) of the one or more printing components to print at least a portion of the housing (34).

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein, Depositing printing material using one or more printing components also includes: A fourth printing material is deposited from the fourth printing system (110) of the one or more printing components to print at least a portion of the first support structure (40) operably positioned at least partially between the inner shell (20) and the intermediate shell (28).

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein, Depositing printing material using one or more printing components also includes: When the build plate rotates, the print head of the fourth printing system moves between a first radial position and a second radial position. The first radial position is a first distance from the build axis, and the second radial position is a second distance from the build axis, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein, Depositing printing material using one or more printing components also includes: A fifth printing material is deposited from the fifth printing system (112) of the one or more printing components to print at least a portion of the second support structure (48) operably positioned at least partially between the intermediate shell and the outer shell.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein, Depositing printing material using one or more printing components also includes: When the build plate is rotated, the print head (102) of the fifth printing system (112) moves between a third radial position and a fourth radial position, the third radial position being a third distance from the build axis and the fourth radial position being a fourth distance from the build axis, the third distance being greater than the fourth distance.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein, The print head of the fourth printing system (110) moves between the first radial position and the second radial position during a first time period, and the print head of the fifth printing system (112) moves between the third radial position and the fourth radial position during a second time period, the first time period being different from the second time period.

43. The method according to claim 35, wherein, The inner shell (20) defines a channel (26) through the inner shell (20).

44. The method of claim 43, further comprising: The airflow is guided through the channel (26) of the inner shell (20) by the temperature control system (240).

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein, The temperature control system (240) is configured to change the temperature of the airflow within the temperature control system before distributing the airflow to the inner shell.

46. ​​The method of claim 34, further comprising: A portion of the building plate (132) is heated using a heating element configured to rotate together with the building plate.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising: During the rotation of the building plate, power is transmitted to the building plate (132) via a rotary joint (232).

48. The method according to claim 34, wherein, The anchor plate (196) moves linearly together with the building plate (132), wherein the building plate rotates relative to the anchor plate.

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