Mutlicolour 3D printer

Abstract

The invention relates to a multicolour 3D printer comprising a construction plate (3), an LCD screen (1) and a resin tank (2) on top of same, wherein the resin tank (2) has been modified in such a way that it comprises at least two internal cavities (4), separated from one another, with said internal cavities (4) being formed via the use of separating partitions (5) preferably arranged transversely relative to one another, and, in a complementary manner, the construction plate (3) has a series of vertical panels (6) emerging vertically downwards, with said vertical panels (6) remaining separated from one another by a number of slots (6). A 3D printer is achieved which allows for printing in various colours simultaneously, without having to empty the resin tank and refill the tank every time you want a change of colour.

Description

[0001] MULTICOLOR 3D PRINTER

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The object of the present invention, as the title of the invention states, is a multicolor 3D printer; that is, it refers to a 3D printer that offers the particularity of being able to print simultaneously in several different colors.

[0005] The present invention is characterized by the special design and configuration of each and every one of the parts that make up the printer, particularly the resin tank and the build plate, so that a 3D printer is achieved that can print in various colors.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention falls within the scope of 3D printers.

[0007] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The different technologies that use 3D printing are:

[0009] • Material extrusion

[0010] • VAT polymerization

[0011] • Powder bed fusion

[0012] • Material injection

[0013] • Binder jetting

[0014] • Direct energy deposition

[0015] • 3D microprinting

[0016] • Sheet lamination One of the problems with known printing systems is the fact of printing only one color of resin.

[0017] Furthermore, printing time depends on the size of the object being printed. Let's say an object has a printing time of two hours and is made up of four colors. Currently, we would have to print each color individually, which would take eight hours. In addition, we would have to empty the resin, clean the tank and build plate, and refill the tank with the new color.

[0018] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by developing a 3D printer that allows printing in different colors without having to perform any operation on the first resin used and subsequent filling with the resin of the new color, developing a printer as described below and included in its essentiality in claim one.

[0019] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The object of the present invention is set out in its essentials in the independent claim and the different embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

[0021] LCD devices are the same as those used in mobile phone displays, TV panels, and computer monitors, making them significantly less expensive than DMD devices. Furthermore, they are available in sizes from 3" to 80", ensuring direct, perpendicular projection across the entire surface. This eliminates the need for expensive and complex projection lens systems and the distortions they cause in DLP-produced parts.

[0022] The present invention relates to a 3D printer where the resin tank has a series of internal divisions separated from each other, where said divisions in a possible non-limiting embodiment are achieved by means of a series of separating partitions preferably arranged transversely forming said divisions or cells where resins of different colors are housed.

[0023] Additionally, the printer has a modified construction board provided with a series of vertical panels separated from each other by means of vertical slits positioned in correspondence with the location of the partition walls of the interior divisions.

[0024] This makes it possible to print a 3D part with different colors without having to change the resin in the resin tanks and refill them with resins of other colors, with the consequent advantage of saving time.

[0025] The printer that is the subject of the invention is preferably a 3D printer with VAT polymerization, i.e., laser tank polymerization.

[0026] Tank polymerization is a 3D printing process in which a light source selectively cures or hardens a photopolymer resin in a tank. In other words, the light is precisely directed to a specific point on a thin layer of liquid plastic to harden it. This process is repeated layer by layer until a 3D part is formed.

[0027] Three common tank polymerization methods are stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), and masked stereolithography (MSLA). The fundamental difference between these three 3D printing technologies is the light source they use to cure the resin.

[0028] Unless otherwise stated, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the meanings commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Similar or equivalent procedures and materials to those described herein may be used in the practice of this invention.

[0029] Throughout the description and claims, the word "comprises" and its variations are not intended to exclude other technical features, additives, components, or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent partly from the description and partly from the practice of the invention.

[0030] EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

[0031] To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of its practical embodiment, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes.

[0032] In Figure 1, we can observe a 3D printer and the different most important elements that are part of it.

[0033] In Figure 2, we can observe a state-of-the-art resin tank, as well as a construction plate like those that have been used until now.

[0034] Figure 3 shows a resin tank like the one used in the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 shows a modified construction plate for use with the resin tank used in the present invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION.

[0036] In view of the figures, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below.

[0037] In Figure 1 we can observe a 3D printer, which among other elements has a build plate (3) on which the pieces grow during printing; at the base of the printer there is an LCD screen (1) and on top of this a resin tank (2).

[0038] As can be seen in Figure 2, the state-of-the-art resin tank (2) defines a single cavity where the resin to be used in the printing process is deposited; likewise, the build plate (3) has a flat surface without vertical panels.

[0039] In order to achieve the possibility of printing in different colors simultaneously, the resin tank (2) has been modified so that it comprises at least two internal cavities (4) separated from each other, said internal cavities (4) being achieved by the use of separating partitions (5) preferably arranged transversely to each other.

[0040] Additionally, and in a complementary manner, the construction plate (3) has a series of vertical panels (6) that emerge vertically downwards, these vertical panels (6) being separated from each other by slits (7) arranged in correspondence with the separating partitions (5) arranged in the resin tank (2) and having a greater width than the width of the separating partitions (5).

[0041] This results in a 3D printer that allows simultaneous printing in multiple colors without having to empty and refill the resin tank each time a color change is desired. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as how to implement it, it is noted that, within its essential aspects, it may be implemented in other embodiments that differ in detail from the one indicated by way of example, and such embodiments will also attain the protection sought, provided that they do not alter, change, or modify its fundamental principle.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on April 21, 2025 (21.04.2025) CLAIMS 1 A multi-color 3D printer having a build plate (3) on which the parts are grown during printing; at the base of the printer there is an LCD screen (1) and on this a resin tank (2) characterized in that the resin tank (2) has been modified so that it comprises at least two internal cavities (4) separated from each other, said internal cavities (4) being achieved by the use of separating partitions (5), additionally, and in a complementary manner the build plate (3) has a series of vertical panels (6) that emerge vertically downwards, said vertical panels (6) being separated from each other by slits (7) where the slits (7) that separate the vertical panels (6) are arranged in correspondence with the separating partitions (5) arranged in the resin tank (2) and having a greater width than the width of the separating partitions (5). 2.- Multicolor 3D printer according to claim 1 characterized in that the separating partitions (5) are placed in a transverse arrangement with respect to each other.

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