Abstract: A 3D printer for printing consumable items, the 3D printer comprising: a print head arranged to position nozzles of a plurality of liquid dispensers to define a regular polygon around a first Z axis; an actuator device operable to dispense a portion of liquid from each liquid dispenser; a print bed comprising a print zone, the print zone comprising a plurality of print locations arranged to define a regular polygon around a second Z axis; a translation device operable to move the print bed relative to the print head along X and Y axes; and a rotation device operable to cause relative rotation between the print zone and the print head such that, with the first Z axis aligned with the second Z axis, the actuator is operable to dispense liquid from each liquid dispenser onto a respective print location and thereafter the rotation device is operable to cause relative rotation between the print zone and the print head to place each print location in registration with a different one of the nozzles.

Abstract: A 3D printer for producing consumable products, the 3D printer comprising an apparatus for dispensing a material, the apparatus comprising: a first syringe having a body for containing a material, a nozzle for dispensing the material from the body, and a plunger for controlling a pressure in the body, a plunger mechanism coupled to the plunger, a body mechanism coupled to the body and an actuator arranged to move the plunger mechanism relative to the body mechanism in a first direction to increase a pressure in the syringe body to dispense the material and to move the plunger mechanism relative to the body mechanism in a second direction to reduce the pressure in the syringe body to inhibit the dispensation of the material.

Abstract: A 3D printer for producing consumable products, the 3D printer comprising an apparatus for dispensing a material, the apparatus comprising: a first syringe having a body for containing a material, a nozzle for dispensing the material from the body, and a plunger for controlling a pressure in the body, a plunger mechanism coupled to the plunger, a body mechanism coupled to the body and an actuator arranged to move the plunger mechanism relative to the body mechanism in a first direction to increase a pressure in the syringe body to dispense the material and to move the plunger mechanism relative to the body mechanism in a second direction to reduce the pressure in the syringe body to inhibit the dispensation of the material.

Abstract: A 3D printer for printing consumable items, the 3D printer comprising: a print head arranged to position nozzles of a plurality of liquid dispensers to define a regular polygon around a first Z axis; an actuator device operable to dispense a portion of liquid from each liquid dispenser; a print bed comprising a print zone, the print zone comprising a plurality of print locations arranged to define a regular polygon around a second Z axis; a translation device operable to move the print bed relative to the print head along X and Y axes; and a rotation device operable to cause relative rotation between the print zone and the print head such that, with the first Z axis aligned with the second Z axis, the actuator is operable to dispense liquid from each liquid dispenser onto a respective print location and thereafter the rotation device is operable to cause relative rotation between the print zone and the print head to place each print location in registration with a different one of the nozzles.