US 11,938,679 B2
3D printing system with waste collection subsystem
Andrew Enslow, Escondido, CA (US); and Darold Tejero Lazatin, San Marcos, CA (US)
Assigned to 3D SYSTEMS, INC., Rock Hill, SC (US)
Filed by 3D Systems, Inc., Rock Hill, SC (US)
Filed on Jun. 24, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/848,479.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/215,165, filed on Jun. 25, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0415418 A1, Dec. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 64/35 (2017.01); B29C 64/232 (2017.01); B29C 64/255 (2017.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01)
CPC B29C 64/35 (2017.08) [B29C 64/232 (2017.08); B29C 64/255 (2017.08); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A three-dimensional (3D) printing system for manufacturing a 3D article comprising:
a vessel configured to contain photocurable resin;
a fabrication subsystem configured to form the 3D article with layer-by-layer selective curing of the photocurable resin, the fabrication subsystem includes:
a build plate;
a build plate support structure; and
a vertical movement mechanism;
a waste collection subsystem attached to the build plate support structure and configured to capture partially polymerized resin as the build plate support structure moves in an upward direction; and
a controller configured to:
operate the vertical movement mechanism to translate the build plate support structure to a lower position;
operate the vertical movement mechanism to raise the waste collection subsystem up through the resin and to a position at which partially polymerized resin can be unloaded from the waste collection subsystem.
 
7. A method of operating a three-dimensional (3D) printing system that is configured to manufacturing a 3D article comprising:
providing:
a vessel configured to contain photocurable resin;
a fabrication subsystem configured to form the 3D article with layer-by-layer selective curing of the photocurable resin, the fabrication subsystem includes;
a build plate;
a build plate support structure; and
a vertical movement mechanism; and
a waste collection subsystem attached to the build plate support structure and configured to capture partially polymerized resin as the build plate support structure moves in an upward direction;
operating the vertical movement mechanism to translate the build plate support structure to a lower position; and
operating the vertical movement mechanism to raise the waste collection subsystem up through the resin and to a position at which partially polymerized resin can be unloaded from the waste collection subsystem.