Advanced autonomous resin-based 3D printing system with dynamic mixing and post-processing

Abstract

A 3D printing system comprising: a 3D printing apparatus having a plurality of resin cartridges including resin supply tubes and a UV curing assembly; and a replaceable sealed printing container havin

Claims

1. A 3D printing system comprising:a 3D printing apparatus having a plurality of resin cartridges including resin supply tubes and a UV curing assembly; anda replaceable sealed printing container having walls which are at least in part UV-transparent, the replaceable sealed printing container comprising:a movable printing head within the replaceable sealed printing container, the movable printing head having a plurality of micro tubes therein;a build platform which the movable printing head is movable relative to and on which a 3D printed object can be printed;a mixing chamber configured to receive resin from the resin cartridges via the resin supply tubes and direct resin to the movable printing head via the plurality of micro tubes;at least one sensor associated with the mixing chamber to determine a flow and / or consistency characteristic of the resin therein;a plurality of alcohol wash tubes for introducing wash alcohol into the replaceable sealed printing container;a plurality of nitrogen supply tubes for introducing nitrogen into the replaceable sealed printing container; andbuild-platform control means for controlling a position of the movable printing head within the replaceable sealed printing container;wherein the 3D printing apparatus and replaceable sealed printing container are in RFID communication with one another to permit control of resin flow and the build platform during a 3D printing process.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:02 09 2513Claims1. A 3D printing system comprising:a 3D printing apparatus having a plurality of resin cartridges including resin supply tubes and a UV curing assembly; anda replaceable sealed printing container having walls which are at least in part UV-transparent, the replaceable sealed printing container comprising:a movable printing head within the replaceable sealed printing container, the movable printing head having a plurality of micro tubes therein, and a mixing nozzle exit for dispensing resin;a build platform which the movable printing head is movable relative to and on which a 3D printed object can be printed;a mixing chamber configured to receive resin from the resin cartridges via the resin supply tubes and direct resin to the movable printing head via the plurality of micro tubes;at least one sensor associated with the mixing chamber to determine a flow and / or consistency characteristic of the resin therein;a plurality of alcohol wash tubes for introducing wash alcohol into the replaceable sealed printing container;a plurality of nitrogen supply tubes for introducing nitrogen into the replaceable sealed printing container; andbuild-platform control means for controlling a position of the movable printing head within the replaceable sealed printing container;wherein the UV curing assembly comprises a light source positioned beneath the container for curing resin layers, the build platform moving away from the light source between layer exposures;wherein the 3D printing apparatus and replaceable sealed printing container are in RFID communication with one another to permit control of resin flow and the build platform during a 3D printing process.02 09 25

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