Abstract: An apparatus changes the temperature of thermoplastic material in an extruder head to reduce the time for producing an object. The apparatus includes a cooling device located near the one or more nozzles of the extruder head to change the temperature of the thermoplastic material extruded by the extruder head. The apparatus cools the thermoplastic material to enhance the formation of exterior object features. A heater can also be positioned near the nozzle zone to heat the thermoplastic material to reduce the time for raising the viscosity of the thermoplastic material for forming interior regions of the object.

Abstract: A print head includes a substrate having a hole, a circuit on the substrate, the circuit having traces and a hole corresponding to the hole in the substrate, the hole forming a fluid path, and a raised structure on the substrate around the fluid path, the raised structure positioned to seal the circuit from the fluid path.

Abstract: A nanoprinthead including an array of nanotip cantilevers, where each nanotip cantilever includes a nanotip at an end of a cantilever, and a method for forming the nanoprinthead. Each nanotip may be individually addressable through use of an array of piezoelectric actuators. Embodiments for forming a nanoprinthead including an array of nanotip cantilevers can include an etching process from a material such as a silicon wafer, or the formation of a metal or dielectric nanotip cantilever over a substrate. The nanoprinthead may operate to provide uses for technologies such as dip-pen nanolithography, nanomachining, and nanoscratching, among others.

Abstract: A print head includes a substrate having a hole, a circuit on the substrate, the circuit having traces and a hole corresponding to the hole in the substrate, the hole forming a fluid path, and a raised structure on the substrate around the fluid path, the raised structure positioned to seal the circuit from the fluid path.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printing system improves the interlayer adhesion of an object. The printing system includes a platform on which a three-dimensional object is built. A material applicator in the printing system expels material to form layers of the object on the platform. The material applicator also includes a heater configured to heat the layer of the object ahead of the material applicator when the material applicator moves in a first direction and a second direction, both directions being parallel to the platform.

Abstract: An extruder assembly for a three-dimensional object has an extrusion slot to enable faster three-dimensional object printing with greater precision. The extruder assembly includes an extruder body having an extrusion slot to enable a continuous filament of material to be extruded through the extrusion slot and at least one actuator operatively connected to the extruder body. The at least one actuator is configured to translate the extruder body in a horizontal plane and rotate the extruder body about a rotational axis.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system operates at least one ejector and an extruder to form three-dimensional objects with photopolymer material and thermoplastic material. The system operates to deposit the two materials in a layer-by-layer manner. The photopolymer material provides high resolution finishes on the objects and the thermoplastic material enables strong and stable formation of internal portions of the objects.

Abstract: A print head includes a substrate having a hole, a circuit on the substrate, the circuit having traces and a hole corresponding to the hole in the substrate, the hole forming a fluid path, and a raised structure on the substrate around the fluid path, the raised structure positioned to seal the circuit from the fluid path.

Abstract: A method for forming piezoelectric transducers for inkjet printheads includes: forming at least one piezoelectric layer on a substrate; forming at least one electrode pattern by depositing a conductive material on an exposed surface of the at least one piezoelectric layer; and forming a plurality of individual piezoelectric elements from the at least one piezoelectric layer before or after the forming of the at least one electrode pattern.

Abstract: A pin actuated printhead includes an orifice through which a material is ejected, a chamber to hold the material to be ejected, a channel connecting the chamber to the orifice, and an actuated pin, to enter the orifice and to eject the material from the orifice. The printhead is configured to eject a material with a viscosity of 10,000 cP or more at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for a piezoelectric ink-jet printhead is disclosed. Piezoelectric printheads, while more expensive are favored because they use a wider variety of inks. The piezoelectric printhead includes a plurality of ink ejectors with a nozzle, an ink chamber, at least one body chamber, at least one diaphragm material, and a top electrode. The diaphragm material consists of a foil with built up piezoelectric material. The deflection of the diaphragm on the body chamber contributes to a pressure pulse that is used to eject a drop of liquid from the nozzle. According to an exemplary embodiment disclosed, a thin-film piezoelectric printhead uses existing low-cost adhesive based jet stack fabrication processed with polymers and metal foil layers and avoids the cost and complexity of a Micro-electrical-mechanical (MEMS) based fabrication system. According to another exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, provided is a thick hybrid film piezoelectric printhead.

Abstract: A method of operating a multi-nozzle extrusion printhead includes operating with a controller a first actuator to produce relative movement between the printhead and an image receiving surface along a predetermined path for one layer of a three-dimensional printed object. The method further includes first printing an outline of a given layer and then printing the interior of the given layer using a plurality of extrusion nozzles. The method further optionally includes extruding material through a portion of the plurality of nozzles and turning on or off individual nozzles to ensure the swaths printed in the interior conform to the profile of the outline.

Abstract: A multi-nozzle extrusion printhead includes a chamber with an inlet to receive an extrusion material and a plurality of outlets fluidly coupled to the chamber. The printhead also includes a plurality of valves that control flow of extrusion material through the fluid outlets to nozzles in the printhead. Each valve includes a member and an electromechanical actuator configured to move the member to a first position to block a flow of the extrusion material through one of the fluid outlets and nozzles and to a second position to enable the flow of the extrusion material through the fluid outlet and nozzles.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object printer includes a multi-nozzle extruder, at least one extrusion material supply, and a dispenser that provides extrusion material from the extrusion material supply to each of a plurality of channels, each channel supplying extrusion material to at least one nozzle in the multi nozzle extruder. The dispenser includes an inlet to receive extrusion material from at least one extrusion material supply, an outlet configured to direct the extrusion material to a channel in the plurality of channels, and an actuator configured to move the outlet into alignment with each channel in the plurality of channels.

Abstract: A 3D printer including a pin actuated printhead having an orifice through which a material is ejected, a material chamber to hold the material to be ejected, a channel connecting the material chamber to the orifice, a pin chamber, and an actuated pin within the pin chamber, wherein the actuated pin extends through the pin chamber to eject the material from the orifice. The printhead is configured to eject a material with a viscosity of 10,000 cP or more at an elevated temperature. The 3D printer further includes a material delivery system having a filament driver and a filament heater.

Abstract: A method and structure for a piezoelectric ink jet printhead. The method can include forming a piezoelectric composite from a liquid sol-gel solution. A first layer of the liquid sol-gel solution can be deposited onto a substrate using, for example, a spin coat process, wherein the substrate may be a printhead diaphragm. The first layer may be partially cured, then a second layer of the liquid sol-gel solution can be deposited onto the partially cured first layer, which is then partially cured. Any number of layers of liquid sol-gel solution can be deposited to result in a piezoelectric composite having a suitable thickness. Subsequently, all of the partially cured layers are fully cured. Printhead processing can continue to form a completed piezoelectric ink jet printhead.

Abstract: A method and structure for a piezoelectric ink jet printhead. The method can include forming a piezoelectric composite from a liquid sol-gel solution. A first layer of the liquid sol-gel solution can be deposited onto a substrate using, for example, a spin coat process, wherein the substrate may be a printhead diaphragm. The first layer may be partially cured, then a second layer of the liquid sol-gel solution can be deposited onto the partially cured first layer, which is then partially cured. Any number of layers of liquid sol-gel solution can be deposited to result in a piezoelectric composite having a suitable thickness. Subsequently, all of the partially cured layers are fully cured. Printhead processing can continue to form a completed piezoelectric ink jet printhead.

Abstract: A pin actuated printhead includes an orifice through which a material is ejected, a chamber to hold the material to be ejected, a channel connecting the chamber to the orifice, and an actuated pin, to enter the orifice and to eject the material from the orifice. The printhead is configured to eject a material with a viscosity of 10,000 cP or more at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A print head includes a substrate having a hole, a circuit on the substrate, the circuit having traces and a hole corresponding to the hole in the substrate, the hole forming a fluid path, and a raised structure on the substrate around the fluid path, the raised structure positioned to seal the circuit from the fluid path.

Abstract: A method for forming a plurality of electrostatic actuator membranes for an electrostatically actuated ink jet printhead. The method can include forming a blanket actuator membrane layer on an etch stop layer, where the etch stop layer is interposed between the blanket membrane layer and a handle layer such as a semiconductor wafer. The blanket actuator membrane layer is patterned to form a plurality of actuator membranes. The plurality of actuator membranes is attached to a printhead drive assembly that includes circuitry for actuating the plurality of actuator membranes. Subsequently, the handle layer and etch stop layer are removed, thereby leaving the plurality of actuator membranes attached to the printhead drive assembly.