US 12,240,173 B2
Cylindrical coordinate 3D printer and methods of operation thereof
Christianna Elizabeth Taylor, Oakland, CA (US); Yi Yang, San Francisco, CA (US); Puneet Bhumipal Jhaveri, Burlingame, CA (US); Noah Benjamin Novik Katz, San Francisco, CA (US); and Jason Reyes Cortella, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to Gantri, Inc., San Leandro, CA (US)
Filed by Gantri, Inc., San Leandro, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/530,173.
Application 17/530,173 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2020/044212, filed on Jul. 30, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/882,024, filed on Aug. 2, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0072781 A1, Mar. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 64/236 (2017.01); B29C 64/209 (2017.01); B29C 64/232 (2017.01); B29C 64/241 (2017.01); B29C 64/245 (2017.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01)
CPC B29C 64/241 (2017.08) [B29C 64/209 (2017.08); B29C 64/232 (2017.08); B29C 64/245 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A three-dimensional (3D) printer comprising:
a printbed support assembly, wherein the printbed support assembly is rotatable;
a base plate configured to support the printbed support assembly, wherein the base plate is vertically translatable;
a first rail segment positioned above the printbed support assembly, wherein the first rail segment is aligned radially with the printbed support assembly;
a second rail segment positioned above the printbed support assembly, wherein the second rail segment is perpendicular to the first rail segment and also aligned radially with the printbed support assembly;
a third rail segment positioned above the printbed support assembly, wherein the third rail segment is oriented perpendicular to the second rail segment and collinear with the first rail segment;
a fourth rail segment positioned above the printbed support assembly, wherein the fourth rail segment is oriented perpendicular to the third rail segment and collinear with the second rail segment;
a first gantry carrier configured to carry or support a first printhead, wherein the first gantry carrier is moveable along at least part of the first rail segment; and
a second gantry carrier configured to carry or support a second printhead, wherein the second gantry carrier is moveable along at least part of the second rail segment, and wherein the first gantry carrier and the second gantry carrier are configured to be moved simultaneously;
a third gantry carrier configured to carry or support a third printhead, wherein the third gantry carrier is moveable along at least part of the third rail segment;
a fourth gantry carrier configured to carry or support a fourth printhead, wherein the fourth gantry carrier is moveable along at least part of the fourth rail segment, wherein the first gantry carrier, the second gantry carrier, the third gantry carrier, and the fourth gantry carrier are configured to be moved simultaneously;
a first rail frame support, wherein the first rail segment and the third rail segment are part of one continuous rail coupled to the first rail frame support and the travel paths of the first gantry carrier and the third gantry carrier overlap along the continuous rail, wherein the first rail frame support comprises a cutout defined along the first rail frame support; and
a second rail frame support extending through the cutout and oriented perpendicular to the first rail frame support, wherein the second rail segment and the fourth rail segment are coupled to the second rail frame support.