US 12,304,147 B2
3D printer with increased uniformity of build chamber temperature
Bryan Daniel Migliori, Lakeville, MN (US); Kyra Elizabeth Neal, Crystal, MN (US); and Benjamin L. Braton, Otsego, MN (US)
Assigned to STRATASYS, INC., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed by Stratasys, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN (US)
Filed on May 26, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/825,290.
Prior Publication US 2023/0382047 A1, Nov. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 64/118 (2017.01); B29C 64/25 (2017.01); B29C 64/295 (2017.01); B29C 64/364 (2017.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01)
CPC B29C 64/364 (2017.08) [B29C 64/295 (2017.08); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An extrusion-based 3D printer configured to print 3D parts in a layer-by-layer manner, the 3D printer comprising:
a heated build chamber; a build platen within the chamber;
at least one print head configured to extrude material onto the build platen or previously extruded material wherein the at least one print head is configured to move in a print plane and deposit material in a build envelope; and
at least one air intake and exhaust system comprising:
ductwork having an inlet configured to intake air from the build chamber and an outlet configured to exhaust air into the build chamber proximate the build envelope and in a direction substantially parallel to the print plane;
a fan proximate the inlet and configured to draw air into the ductwork through the inlet and propel the air towards the outlet;
a heater proximate the outlet, the heater configured to heat the air as the air passes the heater; and
a perforated diffuser plate within the ductwork and located between the fan and the heater, wherein the perforated diffuser plate is oriented substantially orthogonal to the ductwork in the direction of airflow, wherein the perforated diffuser plate is configured to resist air flow and cause a pressure on an upstream side of the perforated diffuser plate to be raised and be substantially constant across a cross-sectional area of the ductwork proximate the perforated diffuser plate, the perforated diffuser plate having through bores configured in a pattern to allow air to pass therethrough such that the air has a substantially uniform velocity profile with laminar flow as the air engages the heater and when heated and exhausted into the heated build chamber, a temperature profile within the build envelope is more uniform relative to an air intake and exhaust system without the perforated diffuser plate within the ductwork.