Abstract: A cart that moves through a three-dimensional object printing system includes a platform and a cleaning device configured to remove material from a surface as the platform passes the surface. The cart further includes a rechargeable power supply configured to be connected to the cleaning device. A controller onboard the cart is operatively connected to the rechargeable power supply and the cleaning device. The controller is configured to connect the rechargeable power supply to the cleaning device and operate the cleaning device to clean the surface.

Abstract: A DMD cooling apparatus and method includes a DMD chip configured on a substrate, and a heatsink located within and integrated into the substrate upon which the DMD is configured. A plurality of micro-channels can be formed on a backside of the substrate. The micro-channels are fabricated via microlithography in association with a fabrication of the DMD chip such that the heatsink integrated into the silicon substrate allows for direct heat removal from the substrate.

Abstract: An environmental control system includes a heat exchanger and a desiccant dehumidifier, and a laser imaging module that includes one or more digital micromirror devices and one or more laser diode units. The heat exchanger reduces the temperature of the air to be delivered to the laser imaging module, wherein prior to the air entering the laser imaging module, the air passes through the desiccant dehumidifier, which dries the air to a lower relative humidity so as to reduce the environmental relative humidity to prevent condensation on critical components within the laser imaging module such as the digital micromirror devices and the laser diode units.

Abstract: A DMD cooling apparatus and method includes a DMD chip configured on a substrate, and a heatsink located within and integrated into the substrate upon which the DMD is configured. A plurality of micro-channels can be formed on a backside of the substrate. The micro-channels are fabricated via microlithography in association with a fabrication of the DMD chip such that the heatsink integrated into the silicon substrate allows for direct heat removal from the substrate.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an image processing system can be implemented, which includes a printing surface and a prism that splits light from an input light source into two parallel light beams indicative of a signal image. Two or more DMDs (Digital Micromirror Devices) can be utilized, wherein the two parallel light beams are directed to the DMDs for image processing, such that as the two parallel light beams are reflected out onto the printing surface, the two parallel light beams are recombined into a single image, thereby enabling heat dissipation while “stitching” said output of said at least two digital micromirror devices to a usable video path.

Abstract: A height adjuster moves a platform along a cart frame, and the platform contacts an alignment stop when the platform is in a loading position on the cart frame. Platform slots are connected to the platform, and the platform slots are sized and shaped to match the size and shape of linear projections of a replaceable printing module. Clamps are sized and shaped to connect to connection points of a printing device and align the cart frame to the printer frame. The platform slots are positioned by the platform to be aligned with housing slots of the printing device when the clamps connect the transport cart to the printing device, and when the platform contacts the alignment stop (and is in the loading position) this allow the replaceable printing module to be transferred between the transport cart and the printing device.

Abstract: A method for forming a three-dimensional object uses a three-dimensional object printer to form a printed part and an injection molding system is used to form a molded part that adjoins the printed part and completes the three-dimensional object formation. The method includes operating an ejector head of a three-dimensional object printer to eject drops of material onto a platen to form the printed part, operating an actuator to move the printed part from the platen to a cavity of an injection mold of an injection molding system, and operating injectors of the injection molding system to inject material into the cavity of the injection mold to form the molded part that adjoins the printed part to form the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer uses a mechanical system to adjust a vertical height of a platform that supports a substrate for formation of a three-dimensional object in the printer. The mechanical system includes a Geneva mechanism operated by a rack and pinion arrangement to drive differential screws and adjust a vertical distance between the platform and a printhead in the printer.

Abstract: A printing system includes a housing, a track supported by the housing, and a cart which rides along the track. The printing system also includes print heads which eject material onto the cart. To prevent material from inadvertently accumulating on the track and the housing, the cart also includes a wiper configured to wipe the material from at least a portion of the housing. The printing system also includes at least one collection tray configured to direct and/or collect the material wiped from the housing. The printing system further includes a coating applied to outer surfaces of at least some of the elements of the housing, the track, and the cart to further prevent the material from inadvertently accumulating on the track and the housing. The coating can be a siloxyfluorocarbon coating.

Abstract: A cart that helps eliminate contaminants from a printing system with a rail support track includes a platform, a first bearing, and a first blade. The first bearing is operatively connected to the platform, and is positioned and configured to roll along a first cylindrical rail of a rail support track of a printing system to enable the platform to move along the first cylindrical rail. The first blade has a leading edge oriented at an acute angle relative to a curved surface of the first cylindrical rail, and is configured to engage the curved surface to remove contaminant as the cart moves along the first cylindrical rail.

Abstract: A printing system for forming three-dimensional objects includes two laterally spaced rails, each of the rails have an internal cavity extending through the rail along a longitudinal axis. The printing system further includes two heating devices, one heating device is connected to the internal cavity of one of the two laterally spaced rails and the other heating device is connected to the internal cavity of the other of the two laterally spaced rails to enable each heating device to heat a surface of the rail in which the heating device is positioned. The printing system further includes a platform configured to move along the laterally spaced rails. The printing system also includes at least one of a pair of scrapers, wiper pads, and wiper blades mounted to the cart.

Abstract: A cart that moves through a three-dimensional object printing system includes a platform and a cleaning device configured to remove material from a surface as the platform passes the surface. The cart further includes a rechargeable power supply configured to be connected to the cleaning device. A controller onboard the cart is operatively connected to the rechargeable power supply and the cleaning device. The controller is configured to connect the rechargeable power supply to the cleaning device and operate the cleaning device to clean the surface.

Abstract: A printing system includes a housing, a track supported by the housing, and a cart which rides along the track. The printing system also includes print heads which eject material onto the cart. To prevent material from inadvertently accumulating on the track and the housing, the cart also includes a wiper configured to wipe the material from at least a portion of the housing. The printing system also includes at least one collection tray configured to direct and/or collect the material wiped from the housing. The printing system further includes a coating applied to outer surfaces of at least some of the elements of the housing, the track, and the cart to further prevent the material from inadvertently accumulating on the track and the housing. The coating can be a siloxyfluorocarbon coating.

Abstract: A cart that helps eliminate contaminants from a printing system with a rail support track includes a platform, a first bearing, and a first blade. The first bearing is operatively connected to the platform, and is positioned and configured to roll along a first cylindrical rail of a rail support track of a printing system to enable the platform to move along the first cylindrical rail. The first blade has a leading edge oriented at an acute angle relative to a curved surface of the first cylindrical rail, and is configured to engage the curved surface to remove contaminant as the cart moves along the first cylindrical rail.

Abstract: A method for forming a three-dimensional object uses a three-dimensional object printer to form a printed part and an injection molding system is used to form a molded part that adjoins the printed part and completes the three-dimensional object formation. The method includes operating an ejector head of a three-dimensional object printer to eject drops of material onto a platen to form the printed part, operating an actuator to move the printed part from the platen to a cavity of an injection mold of an injection molding system, and operating injectors of the injection molding system to inject material into the cavity of the injection mold to form the molded part that adjoins the printed part to form the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: A printing system for forming three-dimensional objects includes two laterally spaced rails, each of the rails have an internal cavity extending through the rail along a longitudinal axis. The printing system further includes two heating devices, one heating device is connected to the internal cavity of one of the two laterally spaced rails and the other heating device is connected to the internal cavity of the other of the two laterally spaced rails to enable each heating device to heat a surface of the rail in which the heating device is positioned. The printing system further includes a platform configured to move along the laterally spaced rails. The printing system also includes at least one of a pair of scrapers, wiper pads, and wiper blades mounted to the cart.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer uses a mechanical system to adjust a vertical height of a platform that supports a substrate for formation of a three-dimensional object in the printer. The mechanical system includes a Geneva mechanism operated by a rack and pinion arrangement to drive differential screws and adjust a vertical distance between the platform and a printhead in the printer.