US 12,240,172 B2
Three-dimensional (“3D”) printing apparatus with counter-rotating roller
Morteza Vatani, Los Gatos, CA (US); Siamak Azizi, Los Gatos, CA (US); Seyed Mohammad Sajadi, San Jose, CA (US); and Steven Z. Shi, Santa Clara, CA (US)
Assigned to Sakuu Corporation, San Jose, CA (US)
Filed by Sakuu Corporation, San Jose, CA (US)
Filed on Jul. 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/375,781.
Prior Publication US 2023/0020717 A1, Jan. 19, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 64/218 (2017.01); B29C 64/165 (2017.01); B29C 64/214 (2017.01); B29C 64/245 (2017.01); B29C 64/321 (2017.01); B29C 64/35 (2017.01); B29C 64/393 (2017.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01)
CPC B29C 64/218 (2017.08) [B29C 64/165 (2017.08); B29C 64/214 (2017.08); B29C 64/245 (2017.08); B29C 64/321 (2017.08); B29C 64/35 (2017.08); B29C 64/393 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A print station of a three-dimensional (“3D”) printing apparatus, the print station comprising:
a substrate configured to hold a printed object, the substrate having a longitudinal axis; and
a print system over the substrate, the print system including:
a powder distribution device including a blade-shaped end which is a lowest portion of the powder distribution device;
a powder uniformization device, comprised of a roller, located at a distance from the powder distribution device along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis; and
a vibrating device configured to vibrate the roller at a rapid frequency,
wherein a surface of the roller is coated by a coating having a thickness in a range of 100 nm to 500 um and comprising at least one of a plastic coating, a Teflon coating, and an anodized coating.