Markem-imaje Corporation

Titan Systems, Corporation

Solid Fusion, LLC

Mark Christopher Gordon

Embodiments of a solid free form printer and a discrete deposition head are disclosed. The solid free form printer may include one or more discrete deposition heads. A discrete deposition head includes a feeder configured to feed a target material in solid form to a deposition assembly. The deposition assembly is configured to create a deposition piece from the target material and dispense the deposition piece onto a portion of the printed object, wherein the deposition piece is in solid form within the deposition assembly. The discrete deposition head also includes a target heat source that heats the portion of the printed object where the target material is to be placed.

Discrete 3D deposition printer

Inter-layer bonding in objects manufactured by 3D printing techniques is improved by one or more targeted heat sources (THSs) that preheat a targeted portion of existing object material before additional material is added to the object. 3D Printing is also improved, optimized or calibrated by pre- or post-heating a targeted area. THS elements may be fixed, mobile, or a combination thereof to apply heat to targeted areas. A THS may be integrated in or as an add-on to an existing 3D printer. A THS controller may use 3D printer information, such as a current direction or a future direction of printing, to select one or more THSs and to perform other targeted heat operations, such as setting energy levels, aiming, moving, etc. Properties, e.g., strength, of 3D printed objects with improved interlayer bonding may, for example, be several multiples better than the same object printed without improved interlayer bonding.

Increased inter-layer bonding in 3D printing

A variable resolution print system is provided. The system includes a variable resolution printer coupled to a positional encoder and a configuration module. The position encoder provides a pulse train to a controller in the variable resolution printer, the pulse train representing the movement of a target relative to the printer. A user of the print system enters or sets a desired resolution for printing via the configuration module. The controller calculates the difference between pulses in the pulse train. The controller then determines an adjustment to the calculate difference based on the desired resolution. The adjustment is used to generate a pulse train that actuates one or more print head of the printer.

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Vienna, VA, United States of America

Mark Christopher Gordon