US 12,145,311 B2
Curing-on-demand printheads for multi-material 3D printing
Yong Chen, Los Angeles, CA (US); and Huachao Mao, Los Angeles, CA (US)
Assigned to University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA (US)
Filed by UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles, CA (US)
Filed on Oct. 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/504,169.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/094,010, filed on Oct. 20, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0118692 A1, Apr. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 64/135 (2017.01); B29C 64/209 (2017.01); B29C 64/232 (2017.01); B29C 64/236 (2017.01); B29C 64/245 (2017.01); B29C 64/25 (2017.01); B29C 64/255 (2017.01); B29C 64/268 (2017.01); B29C 64/286 (2017.01); B29C 64/336 (2017.01); B29C 64/35 (2017.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01)
CPC B29C 64/135 (2017.08) [B29C 64/209 (2017.08); B29C 64/232 (2017.08); B29C 64/236 (2017.08); B29C 64/245 (2017.08); B29C 64/25 (2017.08); B29C 64/255 (2017.08); B29C 64/268 (2017.08); B29C 64/286 (2017.08); B29C 64/336 (2017.08); B29C 64/35 (2017.08); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A printhead device configured for use in a multi-material 3D printing apparatus, the printhead device comprising:
a plurality of structural spacers;
a plurality of sections, each of the plurality of sections separated from an adjacent one of the plurality of sections by one of the plurality of structural spacers, the plurality of sections comprising:
a coating section comprising a top surface having at least one opening configured to dispense a liquid resin therefrom when the liquid resin is placed under fluidic pressure;
a curing section spaced apart and distinct from the coating section, the curing section comprising a top surface that is transparent to at least one of UV, infrared or visible light; and
a cleaning section spaced apart and distinct from the coating section and the curing section, the cleaning section comprising a top surface having at least one opening configured to intake the liquid resin when the at least one opening is placed under vacuum.