US 12,186,852 B2
Method and apparatus for 3D printing using a stacker
Robert Swartz, Highland Park, IL (US); and Michael Sutin, Arlington Heights, IL (US)
Assigned to Impossible Objects, Inc., Northbrook, IL (US)
Filed by Impossible Objects, Inc., Northbrook, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/393,134.
Prior Publication US 2023/0042866 A1, Feb. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. B23Q 3/18 (2006.01); B29C 64/245 (2017.01); B29C 64/307 (2017.01); B29C 64/314 (2017.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01)
CPC B23Q 3/186 (2013.01) [B29C 64/245 (2017.08); B29C 64/307 (2017.08); B29C 64/314 (2017.08); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A stacker system for placing into registered alignment printed sheets of substrate material in a powder-based 3D-printing apparatus, comprising:
an outfeed conveyor for delivering a processed sheet containing liquid-adhered powder away from a powdering stage;
a stacker cage;
a positioning conveyor inside the stacker cage controlling sheet travel after the processed sheet leaves the outfeed conveyor;
a support plate inside the stacker cage and downstream of the positioning conveyor, for supporting the processed sheet that has passed to it from the positioning conveyor;
the positioning conveyor and support plate each comprising a hinged connection, such that each may hinge downward to drop the processed sheet upon an electronic actuation signal.