US 11,697,247 B2
Precision mechanism for positioning lower face of article at build plane
David Sabo, San Diego, CA (US)
Assigned to 3D SYSTEMS, INC., Rock Hill, SC (US)
Filed by 3D Systems, Inc., Rock Hill, SC (US)
Filed on Jul. 10, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/926,264.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/872,371, filed on Jul. 10, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0008797 A1, Jan. 14, 2021
Int. Cl. B29C 64/232 (2017.01); B29C 64/25 (2017.01); B29C 64/255 (2017.01); B29C 64/124 (2017.01); B29C 64/245 (2017.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01)
CPC B29C 64/232 (2017.08) [B29C 64/124 (2017.08); B29C 64/245 (2017.08); B29C 64/25 (2017.08); B29C 64/255 (2017.08); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A three-dimensional printing system for fabricating a three-dimensional article comprising:
a vertical support beam;
a resin vessel assembly coupled to the vertical support beam and including a resin vessel;
a support tray positioning system including:
a support tray elevator including:
a rear portion that is proximate to the vertical support beam and having a lower facing surface; and
a pair of arms that extend from the rear portion in a forward direction, the pair of arms configured to support a support tray above the resin vessel;
a lead screw nut coupled to the lower facing surface of the rear portion and defining a central threaded opening;
a motorized lead screw having a vertical axis and received into the central threaded opening of the lead screw nut, rotation of the motorized lead screw about the vertical axis raises and lowers the lead screw nut together with the support tray elevator;
an intermediate nut sandwiched between the lower facing surface of the rear portion and the lead screw nut; and
a linear bearing that slides along the main vertical support beam along the vertical axis, the linear bearing is coupled to the rear portion and constrains motion of the support tray elevator to vertical motion without rotation;
the lower facing surface of the rear portion, the intermediate nut, and the lead screw nut form an interlocking structure that constrains relative motion of the lead screw nut to the support tray elevator to restrict relative rotational motion while allowing for relative lateral motion to accommodate mechanical tolerances of the lead screw and lead screw nut interaction with respect to the linear bearing constraint.