Abstract: Many materials (e.g., PVDF) are difficult to use in additive manufacturing processes because the material does not bond to the build platform of additive manufacturing machines. In order to use such materials, a build platform can use a difference in air pressure to hold a base film in position on a top plate of the build platform. An object is to be printed using the material and the base film is of a material that the material will bond to during the printing process. The difference in air pressure may be achieved using a build plate with a voided internal region and a top plate with apertures. A low pressure source can draw a vacuum in the voided internal region. Placing the base film over the apertures causes the base film to be held in place by the difference in air pressure.

Abstract: A drive system reciprocates a mold plate between a cavity fill position and a patty discharge position, and can also reciprocate knock out plungers to discharge molded food patties from cavities in the mold plate at the patty discharge position. This drive system includes a first electric motor; a first rotary-to-linear motion converting apparatus operatively connected to the first electric motor; at least one drive member operatively connected between the first rotary-to-linear motion converting apparatus and the mold plate to reciprocate the mold plate. The drive system can also include a second electric motor; a second rotary-to-linear motion converting apparatus operatively connected to the second electric motor; and at least one knock out member operatively connected between the second rotary-to-linear motion converting apparatus and the knock out plungers, to reciprocate the knock out plungers.

Abstract: A knockout drive system for a food patty molding machine includes an electric motor; a rotary-to-linear motion converting apparatus operatively connected to the electric motor; and at least one knockout member operatively connected between the rotary-to-linear motion converting apparatus and the knockout plungers, to reciprocate the knockout plungers. The mold plate and knockout plungers are not mechanically linked to be driven together but are independently driven. The electric motor of the knockout drive system is a servo driven motor wherein the speed, acceleration, deceleration and dwell periods of the knockout plungers can be precisely controlled to be synchronized with the mold plate movements and positions, and for the type of food product, the output rate and the shape of the patties.