Additive manufacturing system with extended printing volume, and methods of use thereof

An additive manufacturing system for printing three-dimensional (3D) parts includes a print foundation, a print head, a drive mechanism, and a supporting surface that creates an air bearing for parts under construction as they move through the system. The print head is configured to print a 3D part...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: Santiago, Jr., Alfredo, LaBossiere, Joseph, Johnson, Kevin, Swanson, William J
Format: Patent
Sprache:eng
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:An additive manufacturing system for printing three-dimensional (3D) parts includes a print foundation, a print head, a drive mechanism, and a supporting surface that creates an air bearing for parts under construction as they move through the system. The print head is configured to print a 3D part onto the print foundation in a layer-by-layer manner in a vertical print plane. The drive mechanism is configured to index the print foundation substantially along a horizontal print axis during printing of the 3D part. The support surface is provided by a table extending along the horizontal axis. The table has a plurality of air jets forming an air platen, which generates the air bearing for supporting the 3D part as it is incremented along the print axis.