US 12,290,984 B2
Method of moving a print head between a plurality of partitioned chambers in an additive manufacturing system
Paul Joseph Leavitt, Minneapolis, MN (US); and Thomas Joseph McDonough, Inver Grove Heights, MN (US)
Assigned to STRATASYS, INC., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed by Stratasys, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed on Dec. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/148,614.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/295,140, filed on Dec. 30, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0211553 A1, Jul. 6, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 64/209 (2017.01); B29C 64/232 (2017.01); B29C 64/236 (2017.01); B29C 64/393 (2017.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01); B29C 64/118 (2017.01); B29C 64/25 (2017.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01)
CPC B29C 64/209 (2017.08) [B29C 64/232 (2017.08); B29C 64/236 (2017.08); B29C 64/393 (2017.08); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12); B29C 64/118 (2017.08); B29C 64/25 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of moving a print head between a plurality of partitioned chambers in a 3D printer, the method comprising:
providing the 3D printer having a thermal barrier having an area defined by a length and width, wherein a print head nozzle can be positioned through the thermal barrier along the width or the length and at least two partitioned chambers below the area of the thermal barrier, wherein a first chamber comprises a plurality of walls having first surfaces defining a printing chamber and a second chamber located external to the first chamber wherein a second surface of one of the plurality of walls defines a portion the second chamber, where the second chamber comprises a space providing another functionality;
raising the print head in a substantially vertical z direction normal to a substantially horizontal plane from the second chamber to above the thermal barrier;
moving the print head in a x-y direction substantially parallel to a horizontal plane from above the second chamber over one of the plurality of walls to a location above the first chamber; and
lowering the print head in the substantially vertical z direction normal to a substantially horizontal plane and into the first chamber such that an extrusion port of a nozzle of the print head is proximate a substantially horizontal x-y print plane.