A method and a 3D printer for 3D printing onto a flexible substrate

Abstract

A method of 3D printing onto a flexible substrate 2 comprises mounting the substrate onto a compressible layer (33, fig 2) on a rigid support 3 in a 3D printer; advancing a print nozzle 32 to contact

Claims

1. A method of 3D printing onto a flexible substrate, the method comprising mounting the flexible substrate onto a compressible layer ona rigid support in a 3D printer with a print nozzle;advancing the print nozzle towards the flexible substrate to contact and depress the flexible substrate and compress the compressible layer; andwhile in this position, traversing the print nozzle across the flexible substrate and printing from the 3D nozzle onto the flexible substrate.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is a fabric.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the compressible layer is a foam.

4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the rigid support is a last andthe flexible substrate is stretched over the last.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the method comprises printing a first layer with the nozzle compressing the compressible layer and elevating the nozzle to be spaced from the flexible substrate before printing a further layer on top of a first layer.

6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible substrate is part of a glove.

7. A 3D printer comprising a print bed formed of a rigid support covered by a compressible layer, the printer further comprising a print nozzle, the nozzle being movable into the compressible layer.

8. A 3D printer according to claim 7, wherein the compressible layer is a foam.

9. A 3D printer according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the rigid support is a last.

Images