Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system includes a resin vessel containing resin, an imaging bar, a movement mechanism coupled to the imaging bar, and a controller. The imaging bar includes an arrangement of light emitting devices that selectively emit radiation from an exit surface of the imaging bar to define a build plane in the resin. The exit surface of the imaging bar is preferably less than 10 millimeters from the build plane. The controller is configured to scan the imaging bar along a scan axis and, concurrent with scanning, operate the imaging bar to selectively image a layer of resin at the build plane.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system includes an array of platen sections, a plurality of compressive sheets, a chassis, a plurality of actuators, a powder dispenser, and an energy beam source. The array of platen sections individually have a top surface and a plurality of vertical side surfaces intersecting the top surface. The plurality of platen sections are positioned with adjacent pairs of platen sections having a pair of the vertical side surfaces in facing relation with each other and defining a vertical gap therebetween. Thus they define a plurality of vertical gaps over the array of platen sections. The plurality of compressible sheets fill the plurality of vertical gaps. The chassis supports the array of platen sections. The plurality of actuators is for individually and vertically positioning the platen sections.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system includes a resin vessel containing resin, an imaging bar, a movement mechanism coupled to the imaging bar, and a controller. The imaging bar includes an arrangement of light emitting devices that selectively emit radiation from an exit surface of the imaging bar to define a build plane in the resin. The exit surface of the imaging bar is preferably less than 10 millimeters from the build plane. The controller is configured to scan the imaging bar along a scan axis and, concurrent with scanning, operate the imaging bar to selectively image a layer of resin at the build plane.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system includes a resin vessel containing resin, an imaging bar, a movement mechanism coupled to the imaging bar, and a controller. The imaging bar includes an arrangement of light emitting devices that selectively emit radiation from an exit surface of the imaging bar to define a build plane in the resin. The exit surface of the imaging bar is preferably less than 10 millimeters from the build plane. The controller is configured to scan the imaging bar along a scan axis and, concurrent with scanning, operate the imaging bar to selectively image a layer of resin at the build plane.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system includes an array of platen sections, a plurality of compressive sheets, a chassis, a plurality of actuators, a powder dispenser, and an energy beam source. The array of platen sections individually have a top surface and a plurality of vertical side surfaces intersecting the top surface. The plurality of platen sections are positioned with adjacent pairs of platen sections having a pair of the vertical side surfaces in facing relation with each other and defining a vertical gap therebetween. Thus they define a plurality of vertical gaps over the array of platen sections. The plurality of compressible sheets fill the plurality of vertical gaps. The chassis supports the array of platen sections. The plurality of actuators is for individually and vertically positioning the platen sections.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printer includes a printer housing enclosing a chamber, an array of actuators, a build platform assembly, a powder dispenser, and an energy beam for selectively fusing layers of the powder at the build plane. The array of actuators are mounted above a lower portion of the build chamber. The actuators individually include an upward extending shaft. The build platform assembly includes a chassis, an array of platen sections, and an array of shanks. The array of shanks and the array of platen sections correspond to the array of actuators. The array of platen sections are mounted in the chassis for guided vertical movement. The array of shanks individually have an upper end coupled to one of the array of platen sections and a lower end positioned to receive the upward extending shaft when the lower end of the shank is lowered into the build chamber.

Abstract: A three dimensional printing system for producing a three dimensional article of manufacture includes a build platform, a powder dispensing apparatus, a light emitting device head, a drop ejecting head, a movement mechanism, and a controller. The light emitting device head may be a vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) head that has a columnar arrangement of VCSELs that emit light having a defined spectral distribution. The drop ejecting head is configured to separately eject a plurality of different inks having correspondingly different absorption coefficients for the defined spectral distribution. The controller operates the powder dispensing apparatus to dispense powder, move and operate the drop ejecting head to define an array of inked pixels, and move and operate the VCSEL head to fuse the inked pixels. The controller varies an energy output of the VCSELs in correspondence with a variation of an absorption coefficient of the inked pixels.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system includes a resin vessel containing resin, an imaging bar, a movement mechanism coupled to the imaging bar, and a controller. The imaging bar includes an arrangement of light emitting devices that selectively emit radiation from an exit surface of the imaging bar to define a build plane in the resin. The exit surface of the imaging bar is preferably less than 10 millimeters from the build plane. The controller is configured to scan the imaging bar along a scan axis and, concurrent with scanning, operate the imaging bar to selectively image a layer of resin at the build plane.

Abstract: A system that aesthetically dispenses melted wax includes a plurality of elongated heating cases, a plurality of wax cartridges, and a plurality of transfer canisters. The plurality of elongated heating cases is used to heat up wax or similar crayon material which is placed inside of the plurality of wax cartridges. The plurality of wax cartridges is used to hold wax or similar crayon material. The plurality of transfer canisters is used to store the plurality of wax cartridges when not in use and to transfer a wax cartridge from the plurality of wax cartridges into an elongated heating case of the plurality of elongated heating cases.

Abstract: A system that aesthetically dispenses melted wax includes a plurality of elongated heating cases, a plurality of wax cartridges, and a plurality of transfer canisters. The plurality of elongated heating cases is used to heat up wax or similar crayon material which is placed inside of the plurality of wax cartridges. The plurality of wax cartridges is used to hold wax or similar crayon material. The plurality of transfer canisters is used to store the plurality of wax cartridges when not in use and to transfer a wax cartridge from the plurality of wax cartridges into an elongated heating case of the plurality of elongated heating cases.

Abstract: A three dimensional printing system for producing a three dimensional article of manufacture includes a build platform, a powder dispensing apparatus, a light emitting device head, a drop ejecting head, a movement mechanism, and a controller. The light emitting device head may be a vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) head that has a columnar arrangement of VCSELs that emit light having a defined spectral distribution. The drop ejecting head is configured to separately eject a plurality of different inks having correspondingly different absorption coefficients for the defined spectral distribution. The controller operates the powder dispensing apparatus to dispense powder, move and operate the drop ejecting head to define an array of inked pixels, and move and operate the VCSEL head to fuse the inked pixels. The controller varies an energy output of the VCSELs in correspondence with a variation of an absorption coefficient of the inked pixels.