Abstract: A hold and release platen system for use in extrusion-based additive manufacturing system includes a platen, a vacuum source and a pressurized air source. The platen has a surface including a plurality of holes therethrough. The vacuum source is configured to provide a vacuum through the plurality of holes, and the pressurized air source is configured to eject pressurized fluid through the plurality of holes. A method includes positioning a sheet substrate on the platen surface; pulling a vacuum through one or more holes in the platen surface to secure the sheet substrate; printing a part on the sheet substrate by moving a print head along a tool path and extruding material in the path; and ejecting pressurized air through the one or more holes to create an air bearing beneath the substrate thereby facilitating removal of the sheet substrate and the printed part from the platen.

Abstract: An apparatus for reversibly fixing a medical apparatus to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising a fitting to engage with the vehicle, and a support wherein the support comprises means for reversible engagement with a medical apparatus and the arrangement of the fitting relative to the support is adjustable so as to enable reversible fixing of the apparatus to a plurality of vehicle configurations.

Abstract: A hold and release platen system for use in extrusion-based additive manufacturing system includes a platen, a vacuum source and a pressurized air source. The platen has a surface including a plurality of holes therethrough. The vacuum source is configured to provide a vacuum through the plurality of holes, and the pressurized air source is configured to eject pressurized fluid through the plurality of holes. A method includes positioning a sheet substrate on the platen surface; pulling a vacuum through one or more holes in the platen surface to secure the sheet substrate; printing a part on the sheet substrate by moving a print head along a tool path and extruding material in the path; and ejecting pressurized air through the one or more holes to create an air bearing beneath the substrate thereby facilitating removal of the sheet substrate and the printed part from the platen.

Abstract: An 3D printer has a gantry configured to move in a plane substantially parallel to a build plane. The system includes a platen configured to support a part being built in a layer by layer process, wherein the platen is configured to move in a direction substantially normal to the build plane. The system includes a head carriage carried by the gantry wherein the head carriage includes a first support member supporting a retaining mechanism. The retaining mechanism includes at least one member extending from the support member and a camming member rotatably attached to the support member and movable about an axis of rotation. The camming member has arcuate camming surface with an increasing radial distance from the axis of rotation. The system includes at least one print head having a housing with a first side surface configured to engage the at least one member and a second side surface configured to engage the arcuate camming surface.

Abstract: A 3D printer includes a gantry configured to move in a plane substantially parallel to a build plane. The system includes a platen configured to support a part being built in a layer by layer process, wherein the platen is configured to move in a direction substantially normal to the build plane. The system includes a head carriage carried by the gantry wherein the head carriage includes a first support member carrying a first retaining mechanism and a second support member carrying a second retailing mechanism. The first and second retaining mechanisms are both configured to receive and retain the print head or the additional equipment wherein both the removable print head and the removable additional equipment have substantially a same interface with the head carriage.

Abstract: An 3D printer has a gantry configured to move in a plane substantially parallel to a build plane. The system includes a platen configured to support a part being built in a layer by layer process, wherein the platen is configured to move in a direction substantially normal to the build plane. The system includes a head carriage carried by the gantry wherein the head carriage includes a first support member supporting a retaining mechanism. The retaining mechanism includes at least one member extending from the support member and a camming member rotatably attached to the support member and movable about an axis of rotation. The camming member has arcuate camming surface with an increasing radial distance from the axis of rotation. The system includes at least one print head having a housing with a first side surface configured to engage the at least one member and a second side surface configured to engage the arcuate camming surface.

Abstract: A reservoir of an ink supply system is described.

Abstract: A reservoir of an ink supply system is described.

Abstract: An improved large-format inkjet printer that is capable of providing more efficient and higher quality printing on a variety of print media, including for example, paper, fabric, corrugated media, and plywood. The improved printer provides improvements to the platen assembly, rail assembly, service station assembly, printhead assembly and vacuum assembly to provide improved printing capability. In addition the printer provides a table assembly that can be integrated into the platen assembly to provide a secure and flush surface for supporting various types of print media.

Abstract: An improved large-format inkjet printer that is capable of providing more efficient and higher quality printing on a variety of print media, including for example, paper, fabric, corrugated media, and plywood. The improved printer provides improvements to the platen assembly, rail assembly, service station assembly, printhead assembly and vacuum assembly to provide improved printing capability. In addition the printer provides a table assembly that can be integrated into the platen assembly to provide a secure and flush surface for supporting various types of print media.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system of the invention comprises one or more intercoupled cartridge assembles. Each cartridge assembly comprises a plurality of interconnected cartridges, each comprising a reservoir for holding jetting fluid and an ink jet print head operatively connected to the reservoir. Each cartridge assembly is interconnected by a first interconnection assembly and a second interconnection assembly. The first interconnection assembly maintains the plurality of interconnected cartridges at a negative pressure. The second interconnection assembly maintains at least an essentially equal level of jetting fluid within each of the reservoirs of the plurality of cartridges. Jetting fluid is replenished in the plurality of interconnected cartridges by replenishing jetting fluid in a selected cartridge and using the second interconnection assembly to distribute the jetting fluid among the reservoirs of the interconnected cartridges.